Reasons Why Hollywood Film Producers Prefer Cappadocia

Cappadocia, one of the most fascinating places in the world, has many reasons why Hollywood producers prefer Cappadocia. With its unique geography and features, Cappadocia is very rich for movie productions. Photographer Nuri Çorbacıoğlu, one of the owners of Cappadocia film production companies, explains the reasons why Hollywood producers prefer Cappadocia in this article.

Cappadocia, one of the most fascinating places in the world, has many reasons why Hollywood producers prefer Cappadocia. With its unique geography and features, Cappadocia is very rich for movie productions.

Photographer Nuri Çorbacıoğlu, one of the owners of Cappadocia film production companies, explains the reasons why Hollywood producers prefer Cappadocia in this article.

Why? 

Cappadocia offers everything you can imagine for a movie production. Reasons Why Hollywood Film Producers Prefer Cappadocia?

Cappadocia will add an unforgettable touch to your film with its unique landscapes, historical richness, natural light, ease of transportation and locations suitable for all types of films.

1. Unique and Mesmerizing Natural Landscapes

Cappadocia's unique geographical formations such as fairy chimneys, valleys and underground cities add a fantastic and impressive atmosphere to the movies.

These natural landscapes offer shooting locations like no other.

Cappadocia is a fairyland of fairy chimneys, underground cities, valleys and cave churches. These extraordinary natural and historical landmarks provide a unique and unforgettable backdrop for films of all kinds. 

Whether you are shooting a fantasy adventure, a historical drama or a modern love story, the landscapes of Cappadocia will add a whole new dimension to your movie.

2. Historical and Cultural Richness

The region's thousands of years of history and cultural heritage lend an authentic and mystical atmosphere to the films.

Historical buildings and ruins offer the opportunity to shoot scenes reflecting different eras.

Cappadocia is an open-air museum with thousands of years of history and cultural heritage. 

This region, which has been home to many civilizations such as the Hittites, Persians, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans, has a different story in every corner. This richness is a unique resource for historical films and documentaries.

3. Natural Film Plateau Natural Light and Atmosphere

The natural structure of Cappadocia offers producers a ready-made movie plateau. This significantly reduces set and decor costs.

Cappadocia's unique geography offers ideal natural light and atmosphere for filming. 

4. Various Landscape Options 

The region offers the opportunity to capture visually impressive scenes with natural light events such as sunrise and sunset. The colours and shadows, especially at sunrise and sunset, will add a magical atmosphere to your film.

It offers different landscapes in different seasons, adding variety to the shots.

5. Transportation and Accommodation Facilities

Its proximity to airports and various accommodation options ensure the comfort of the shooting crew.

Easy transportation within the region helps shoots to proceed quickly and efficiently. Cappadocia is located in central Turkey and is easily accessible by air. 

There are many different accommodation options in the region, with hotels and facilities tailored to meet the needs of film crews. 

6. Cost Advantage

Cappadocia has more affordable filming costs in general. The hospitality and helpfulness of the local people and their positive attitude towards filming facilitate the filming process.

7. Different and Unique Locations Suitable for All Types of Films

Hollywood productions prefer unique locations such as Cappadocia to offer audiences different and unique visual experiences.

Cappadocia attracts attention not only for its natural beauty, but also for its locations suitable for different types of movies. 

Whether you are looking for a wild west atmosphere for a Western, an alien planet for a science fiction movie, or a warm and intimate setting for a romantic comedy, you will find everything you are looking for in Cappadocia.

These features make it a visually impressive and cost-effective shooting location. Hollywood producers prefer Cappadocia and their films attract international attention.

Financial Reasons for Hollywood Producers' Preference for Cappadocia

Let us explain the financial reasons why Hollywood producers prefer Cappadocia:

1. Cost Reduction

A. Natural Set Advantage

Cappadocia's unique geographical structure acts as a natural movie plateau. This reduces the need for artificial sets and therefore lowers set construction costs.

Natural formations such as fairy chimneys, valleys and underground cities offer ready-made and impressive shooting locations.

B. Favorable Labor Costs 

The film industry in Turkey has an experienced and skilled workforce.

Cappadocia's local teams work at more affordable costs than in some other countries while providing services at international standards.

C. Accommodation and Transportation

There are accommodation options for every budget in Cappadocia. Transportation within the region is more affordable than in other big cities. Kayseri and Nevşehir airports provide easy access to the region.

D. Equipment Rental 

In the region, there are companies such as those run by photographer Nuri Çorbacıoğlu which rent film equipment and offer production services.

These companies offer quality equipment and services at affordable prices.

2. Incentives and Supports

A. Government Incentives 

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism offers various incentives and support to filmmakers.

These incentives may include tax breaks, cash subsidies and equipment rental facilities.

Attractive incentives are also available for foreign producers.

B. Local Supports

Local businesses and institutions in the region offer a variety of support to film productions.

Local governments provide facilities to support film productions.

C. Permit Facility 

Filming permits and licenses in Cappadocia can be obtained more quickly and easily than in other regions.

3. Economic Diversity

A.Tourism Potential

Films shot in Cappadocia increase the tourism potential of the region and contribute to its international promotion. This offers an additional marketing advantage for filmmakers.

B. Various Shooting Locations 

Cappadocia's diverse geographical structures offer filmmakers a wide choice of shooting locations. This eliminates the cost of building different sets for different scenes.

These financial advantages play an important role in Hollywood producers' preference for Cappadocia.

Hollywood Producers Prefer Cappadocia for Films

Cappadocia, with its unique geography and historical texture, has hosted many local and foreign films and series. 

Here are some famous Foreign Productions shot in Cappadocia

1. Skyfall (2012)

Director: Sam Mendes

Lead Actors: Daniel Craig (James Bond), Javier Bardem (Raoul Silva), Judi Dench (M)

Producer: Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli

Scenes in Cappadocia, especially the underground cities and fairy chimneys, were used in the opening sequence of the movie.

2. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)

Director: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor

Lead Actors: Nicolas Cage (Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider), Ciarán Hinds (Roarke), Idris Elba (Moreau)

Producer: Ashok Amritraj, Michael De Luca, Steven Paul

Some scenes of the movie were shot in Cappadocia.

3. The International (2009)

Director: Tom Tykwer

Lead Actors: Clive Owen (Louis Salinger), Naomi Watts (Eleanor Whitman), Armin Mueller-Stahl (Wilhelm Wexler)

Producer: Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Lloyd Phillips

Cappadocia was used in some scenes of the movie.

4. The Water Diviner (2014)

Director: Russell Crowe

Lead Actors: Russell Crowe (Joshua Connor), Olga Kurylenko (Ayshe), Yılmaz Erdoğan (Major Hasan)

Producer: Andrew Mason, Keith Rodger, Troy Lum

Some scenes of the movie were shot in Cappadocia.

5. Inferno (2016)

Director: Ron Howard

Lead Actors: Tom Hanks (Robert Langdon), Felicity Jones (Dr. Sienna Brooks), Omar Sy (Christoph Bouchard)

Producer: Brian Grazer, Ron Howard

Cappadocia was used in one of the key scenes of the movie.

6. The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017)

Director: Patrick Hughes

Lead Actors: Ryan Reynolds (Michael Bryce), Samuel L. Jackson (Darius Kincaid), Salma Hayek (Sonia Kincaid)

Producer: Mark Gill, John Thompson, Matt O'Toole, Les Weldon

Some scenes of the movie were shot in Cappadocia. 

7. The Promise (2016)

Director: Terry George

Lead Actors: Oscar Isaac (Mikael Boghosian), Charlotte Le Bon (Ana Khesarian), Christian Bale (Chris Myers)

Producer: Eric Esrailian, Mike Medavoy, William Horberg

Cappadocia was used in some scenes of the movie.

8. Medea (1969)

Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini

Leading Actress Maria Callas

Producer Franco Rossellini

9. Empire of the Wolves (2005)

Director Chris Nahon

Leading Actors: Jean Reno, Arly Jover

Producer Alain Goldman

10. Mercenaries (You Can't Win 'Em All) (1970)

Director: Peter Collinson

Cast: Tony Curtis, Charles Bronson, Fikret Hakan, Salih Güney, Michèle Mercier

Country: United Kingdom

11. Little Hodja from Piyord (Hodja fra Pjort) (1985) 

Director: Brita Wielopolska

Cast: David Bertelsen, Zuhal Özdemir

Country: Denmark

12. Slipstream (1989) 

Director: Steven Lisberger

Cast: Bob Peck, Mark Hamill

Country: United Kingdom

13.Turkish Passion (La pasión turca) (1994) 

Director: Vicente Aranda

Cast: Ana Belén, Georges Corraface

Country: Spain

14. Mr. Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran (Monsieur Ibrahim et les Fleurs du Coran) (2003)

Director: François Dupeyron

Cast: Omer Sharif, Pierre Boulanger

Country: France

16.Empire of the Wolves (L'empire des loups) (2005)

Director Chris Nahon

Cast: Jean Reno, Arly Jover

Country: France

17.Hititya: The Secret of the Medallion (Hititya-Das Geheimnis des Medaillons) (2013)

Director: Ulaş Şimşek, Cengiz Deveci, Verena F. Freytag

Cast: Bruno Eyron, Emir Berke Zincidi, Serra Yilmaz

Country: Germany/Turkey co-production

These films have contributed significantly to the promotion of the region by bringing the magical atmosphere of Cappadocia to the big screen.

18.Winter Sleep (2014)

Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Lead Actors: Haluk Bilginer, Melisa Sozen

Producer Zeynep Özbatur Atakan

19. You Can't Win 'Em All (1970)

This movie starring Tony Curtis and Charles Bronson was shot in Cappadocia.

With these and similar productions, Cappadocia continues to be an indispensable shooting location for both local and foreign film and series producers.

Ministry of Culture and Tourism Film Production Supports

1. Regulation on Supporting Cinema Films 

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism provides various support to feature films. These may include financial assistance at the project development, production, post-production and distribution stages.

The amount of support varies according to the nature and budget of the project.

Donations, grants and expenditures to be received by the Ministry of Culture for a motion picture that has been granted direct support by the Ministry of Culture have tax advantages such as corporate tax, value-added tax, etc.   

2. Support for Foreign Film Productions

Various incentives are also offered to foreign film productions shooting in Turkey.

These incentives can be in the form of reimbursement of part of the amount spent.

3. Ministry of Trade Supports

A. Supporting Foreign Exchange Earning Service Trade

The Ministry of Trade provides various support to foreign film productions shooting in Turkey.

These may include elements such as covering part of the expenses for the use of a film plateau/studio, supporting advertising expenses, etc.

B. Tax Advantages

Film projects supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism may benefit from VAT exemption in certain circumstances.

Film production companies can benefit from corporate tax deductions under certain conditions.

4. Other Incentives

A.Local Government Supports

Local governments in Cappadocia can also provide various support for film productions. These can include elements such as filming permits, location-allocation and logistical support.

To benefit from incentives, certain application processes and conditions must be met.

Thanks to these incentives and tax advantages, producers planning to produce films in Cappadocia can manage their budgets more effectively and realize their projects more easily.

Cappadocia continues to attract more and more filmmakers every day. With the right planning, it is possible to realize great projects in this fascinating geography!

Phone +90 (505) 469 33 59
Email info@fixerincappadocia.com
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