Working with Czech Production Managers on Set

By Ginelle Bamfo

Ginelle is an NYU Tisch student who was a part of the selective film program based at FAMU, the Prague Film Academy.  She writes about her reflections on working with Czech actors and how invaluable her Czech production manager proved to be.

As a film student, the opportunity to work on 35mm in a foreign country was an exciting experience.

And that’s where FAMU’s Czech Production Managers (or PMs) come in. These are people who speak both Czech and English, and they serve as a sort of go-between for you and anyone you can’t communicate with yourself.

This semester, we met all of the Production Managers during our pitch day – a day where we pitched our movie ideas and all of their production needs. Based on their experience and availability, each project got a production manager and we were off to the races.

For my project, I needed an elementary school and a lot of child actors. My PM immediately contacted several schools in Prague and kept me updated on whether or not we could use them. This meant that we had to be in close contact with each other, and I had to be aware and certain of what I needed from the location I was going to shoot at.

She was also very instrumental in the casting process. Since my actors were minors, she handled the conversations with their parents before and during the auditions, making sure they were aware of and okay with the content in the script. And perhaps most importantly, she was an integral part of the set when it came to communicating with the actors and making sure they knew what direction I was giving them.

There were many times on set when her presence relaxed the actors when I said something they might not have understood. Production managers are also responsible for negotiating pay with locations and actors, and keeping you informed of budget items. They also make sure that all payments are taken care of after the shoot.

Making a movie in a new country can be incredibly intimidating, even with all the excitement that comes with it, and PMs are there for that very reason! They’re great resources and an integral part of the filmmaking process for NYU students at FAMU.

Additional Resources for future FAMU students:

FAMU Finds: Location Scouting in Prague

As my semester comes to an end, I thought about what would be most helpful for other students who’ll be here after me. As a FAMU student myself, a lot of my exploration of Prague was through the lens of film sets and looking for feasible locations to shoot at. Now that filming is done, here are some locations that FAMU students were able to shoot at as well as some tips on securing locations. 

Where To Start

Free Spaces

These are few and far between but a few people (including me!) were able to secure locations for free. 

• Studio FAMU – Yes, if you’re in FAMU you will spend a lot of time there but don’t forget that this can be a potential filming space! One of the students in my semester shot in multiple classrooms, the hallway and the basement. 
• FAMU International – Classrooms at this building can also be reserved for free, as well as their Club FAMU space

AirBnbs

Plenty of people every semester require AirBnbs for their projects and these were all used during my semester. 

• Kostelní 8, 170 00 Praha 7-Letná
• Nad Tratí 385/17, 160 00 Praha 6-Vokovice
• Resslova 1774/3, Praha 2, Hlavní město Praha 120 00
• Sněmovní 170/15, 118 00 Malá Strana
• Legerova 1863/17, Praha 2, Hlavní město Praha 120 00, Czechia
• Rohanské nábřeží 657/7, Praha 8, Hlavní město Praha 187 00, Czechia             
• Kovářova 141/1a, Stodůlky, 155 00 Praha   

Nearby Spaces

• Skautský Institut – Close to RD and the Blue Building; there are plenty of multi-purpose spaces available for rent here
•  Seven Hostel, Varhulíkové 1609/13, 170 00 Praha 7-Holešovice – This hostel was an amazing place to shoot as it’s beautifully close to Osadni. It wasn’t shut down for out shoot though, so if this location is an option for you, make sure to keep that in mind
• Cafe Citadel, Klimentská 1210, 110 00 Nové Město – Around the corner from Studio FAMU

Exterior Locations

Make sure when you’re shooting outside that you have a permit! And if you’re shooting during the fall semester like I was, make sure to accommodate your cast and crew well–this means handwarmers, hot coffee and tea, making sure there are places to wait inside nearby, and making sure you know where you’ll have lunch, specifically if the exteriors make up the majority of your film. 

• Černý Most
• Parkoviště Lužiny-Střed
• Stodůlky Rybnik 
• Střelecký Island
• Řásnovka

More Specific Locations

Some students couldn’t use an AirBnb because they need something specific, so here are some examples that might be helpful. 

• Elementary school Pražačka, Nad Ohradou 25, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov – This was my location! We got it at no cost which was amazing. We shot my whole project there but weren’t allowed to overnight the equipment and had to shoot on a weekend
• Izraelská 712/1, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov – The student that used this location specifically needed a Jewish cemetery and he was able to find this one!
• Ankali,  Lopuchová 58 /6, 101 00 Praha 10-Vršovice – This bar only allowed for shooting their exterior and not too far inside
• Metro Comedy Club, Štítného 6, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov – We had full access to this club for one shoot day
• The Tram – 2 of our projects this semester had tram scenes. Make sure to secure a permit to avoid any issues! 

Tips for Location Scouting

It can feel disconnected to location scout in a place where you don’t speak the language and your production manager handles all communication but it’s still important to be as involved as possible. This means doing as much on your own as possible, especially when it comes to exterior locations. Additionally, the app Cadrage Director’s Viewfinder can be very useful on scouts and on set when it comes to practicing and adjusting shots. 

Good luck with your project!