Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Studio Babelsberg today in his capacity as directly elected member of parliament for his constituency Potsdam. The appointment took place as part of his summer trip this year.
In a tour through the workshops of the Art Department Studio Babelsberg - Painting, Sculpture, 3D Lab - Olaf Scholz spoke with senior employees and the apprentices about the current projects and perspectives in the construction of decorations and arts and crafts for film and TV. Studio Babelsberg's craft departments have their roots in the construction of interior and exterior TV and film decorations and are also active in the areas of theater, exhibitions, trade fairs, brand worlds, events and special constructions. The workshops of carpentry, locksmith, sculpture/stucco, art painting and 3D lab are located on 10,000m² directly on the studio lot.
Another stop was the legendary Marlene-Dietrich-Halle, where sets are currently being built for the ARD Degeto series DIE ZWEIFLERS.
In addition, Mr. Scholz met with the Management Board of Studio Babelsberg to discuss ways to support and grow film in Germany and the current challenges facing the entertainment industry broadly.
“The double strike of the US screenwriters' and actors' unions has brought productions to a standstill worldwide. The economic impact has been felt in Germany - at Studio Babelsberg and so many other service providers,” commented Andy Weltman, Co-CEO of Studio Babelsberg AG.
“We at Studio Babelsberg appreciate the government’s support in conversations about improvements to the current film and TV funding program,” Weltman continued. “In an effort to grow Germany as a hub for international productions and create strong stable jobs in a post-strike era, a more robust and competitive film and TV incentive needs to be realized on par with European neighbors. Studio Babelsberg is home to some of the most iconic TV and films ever made, and we look forward to building on this rich history and to further collaborating to create stronger and more competitive future for Germany as a destination for film and TV talent.”
In his closing statement, Olaf Scholz emphasized the importance of the location and said with regard to film funding: “It is always very moving to see the great tradition in which films have been made here. Even in recent times – with worldwide impact and world-renowned stars. Of course, this tradition should continue and be further developed. That's why it's important for us to reflect on film funding structures in Germany. We are looking closely at what exists in other countries, especially in Europe. And we will make far-reaching decisions for the future in the course of next year at the latest”.
Studio Babelsberg is one of the most storied studio complexes in the world. The studio is part of Cinespace, a global network of sound stage and facilities for premier content production. The network includes 86 stages in Chicago, Toronto, and Germany, including a mix of state-of-the-art, heritage, and purpose-built stages.
