Biblical Productions was on ground filming the Easter procession in Jerusalem.
Still Photography: Anika Pilnei.
Filming in Jerusalem
Filming in Jerusalem
Filming in Jerusalem
Filming in Jerusalem
Filming in Jerusalem
Filming in Jerusalem
Filming in Jerusalem
Filming in Jerusalem
Uncategorized | admin April 8, 2010 | 
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Filming in IsraelWe are happy to bring you pictures from the new film “The Great Rift Valley” a wild life documentary series about the famous bird emigration.
Biblical Productions provided the production services in Israel:
This is an ORF/ARTE/WDR/NDR Production Produced by: www.cosmosfactory.at
Production crew included: Producer/Director: Harald Pokieser Director in Israel: Paul Reddish Camera man: Harald Mittermüller Sound Assistant: Hermann Winklhofer Scientist consultant: Dr. Yossi Leshem Cineflex Provided by Media House Austria,
Filming in Israel
The film was shot in the Jordan Valley, Top locations were Beit She’an, Northern Jordan valley, Hula Agamon, Ein Gedi,and the Dead Sea. The film was also shot in Tanzania, Kenya.
Enjoy:
Filming in Israel
Filming in Israel
Filming in Israel
Filming in Israel
Filming in Israel
Filming in Israel
Filming in Israel
Filming in Israel Uncategorized | admin March 31, 2010 | Comments (0)
Filming in Jordan
Filming in Jordan
Filming in Jordan
Filming in Jordan
Filming in Jordan
Filming in Jordan
Filming in Jordan
Filming in Jordan
Filming in Jordan
Filming in Jordan
Uncategorized | admin March 28, 2010 | Comments (0)
Filming in Israel
I love wondering around Jerusalem; getting lost in the multitude of narrow streets, looking at the incredible architecture, wandering into churches to spot unusual features or that special window. I find the range of blue colors and tones in the Old City to be particularly exquisite.
To like to write in my notebook about locations that are worthy of a return trip. In general I am a gadget freak but when it comes to writing notes I am ‘old school’, using a notebook and pencil. I like to buy my note books in stationery stores that sell traditional looking notebooks.
Walking Around the Armenian Quarter
Yesterday my notebook accompanied me to the Armenian Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem. I walked around to take in the sites and capture special places on film.
The Church of St James
Church of St. James
The Church of St James was built in the 12th century and is thought to be the burial place of Jesus’ brother, James the Just, also known as St. James. It is filled with gilt furnishings, ornate wall paintings, hanging oil lamps and is a truly unique venue. The interior furnishings exude opulence and the church has an atmosphere all of its own. The general grandeur of the church is set off by the light streaming through the high windows to spectacular effect.
From the courtyard you can see ornate mosaics around the windows and door. An interview with St James’ Pr. Alan Callena was included in the film ‘Who is Jesus?’, that we provided production services for.
Peering Behind Closed Doors
Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem
So much about this quarter is concealed. I love the feeling of opening doors and making discoveries.
Inside the Armenian Quarter there is a hidden library that is really worth a visit. There are shelves of old books from decades ago and the place has a timeless atmosphere about it. It is a great location to conduct interviews with scholars.
I like to capture everyday scenes on film too. Within the Armenian Quarter there is a playground which provides a great setting to film lively school children playing in their uniforms during school breaks.
Another great location is the Armenian restaurant; which is a very beautiful setting. I filmed a scene there for the TV Globo from Brazil.
Discovering a New Museum
Armenian Museun in Jerusalem
During my walk around the Armenian Quarter I grew intrigued as I passed a big closed door. As I always like opening doors I stumble across in the Old City, I just had to discover what was on the other side. I went in to find a complex being built that will house a new museum.
Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem
I am waiting for the museum to open as the area has such a rich culture and there are so many interesting and historical treasures that could be showcased. I am sure the museum will be unique.
Having an inquisitive nature and a desire to discover the hidden always leads to me finding some interesting places to visit as well as new filming locations in Israel.
Armanian library in Jerusaelm
Uncategorized | admin March 23, 2010 | Comments (0)
Last week I went for a location scout in Jericho, which is located near the Jordan River, 16 km from the Dead Sea. This is an interesting filming location in Israel. It is one of the lowest and most ancient cities on earth and has famous, biblical roots. There is archaeological evidence of communities living in Jericho dating back to 9,000 CBE.
The first thing that came to mind during my visit was that Jericho is an ideal location for shooting feature films in Israel.
It’s an old town with a ‘deserty’ appearance and a very sleepy feel. Jericho provides an authentic ancient setting and visiting this historical site is like taking a step back in time.
During my visit I met the Mayor of Jericho and we discussed the potential for Jericho to be used by film crews. He expressed his desire to welcome film crews and for Jericho to be used as a prime film location in Israel.
We can handle all the permits that you need to film in Jericho and can make all the necessary arrangements for both international and Israeli crews to use this choice filming location.
Prime Filming Locations in Jericho
Jericho offers some unique scenes; dusty old roads, fields of banana trees, roadside shops, houses built on the mountainside, old cars and more. It is an ideal location suitable for any script requiring an old town in the Middle East.
From a documentary point of view, two locations are of particular interest, Mount Temptation and Hisham Palace.
Filming Mount Temptation
Mount Temptation rises 350 meters above sea level and provides spectacular views of the Jordan Valley. It is the place where Jesus was tempted by the devil and spent forty days and nights fasting and meditating. In the 6th century a Greek Orthodox monastery was built on the site of the cave where Jesus stayed during his time of fasting and contemplation.
Filming Hisham Palace
Hirsham’s Palace lies 5km north of Jericho and was built in AD743 as the country residence of the Umayyad caliph Hisham Ibn Abd Al-Malik, who ruled an empire spanning from the Pyrenees to India. The palace originally included mosques, baths, residential quarters and pillared walkways. Although now in ruins, colorful and ornate mosaics remain intact, as do classical ‘stucco’ wall moldings. These stunning pieces showcase early Islamic art and some findings are now housed in the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum in Jerusalem.
We have shot in Jericho before and are familiar with the city. We filmed a music concert with a difference; it took place at sunrise on the balcony next to Mount Temptation. We came back with spectacular results.
For more information about using Jericho for your next production in Israel or to find out about specific filming locations in Jericho, get in touch with Biblical Productions and tap into our vast knowledge of the best film locations in Israel.
Uncategorized | admin March 14, 2010 | Comments (0)
Desert Locations Israel
Filming Deserts In Israel
Israel has a lot to offer crews when it comes to filming desert locations. One of my favorite places to scout is in the desert and not far away from Jerusalem lie secret, hidden away desert locations. It is as if you have been transported to an ancient world, as the scenes that greet you have remained unchanged since eternity.
Here, on the golden desert sands and rugged, rocky, mountains, wild nature roams freely, providing the perfect backdrop for biblical re-enactments, documentaries and feature films.
The Best Desert Locations
Last week I was scouting for places to film Old Testament Scenes. I was looking for the ultimate biblical desert shots. When I scout I bear many things in mind; not just the location itself but also accessibility and logistical aspects of production.
I try to find desert locations that are not far away from Jerusalem so that we can keep the production as local as possible and stay within a reasonable budget.
Our Insider Knowledge
Filming in watch?v=JqStykWDR6wIsrael
I have a good Bedouin friend who lives in the desert and whenever I go to visit him, the first thing we do is drink tea. Bedouin hospitality is a custom that has stood the test of time well.
His familiarity with the desert has given me an insider’s view of the amazing array of scenes that are close by and would make the perfect film set. Together we scout wadis, valleys, mountains and caves.
All of these locations are spectacular settings and are absolutely free to film in. The difficult part is finding them!
Filming the Perfect Sunrise
Next to the Dead Sea you can find some of the optimum spots for filming desert scenery. At this location you can find my all time favorite spot to capture the most breathtaking sunrise. It is a secluded place, high up on a mountain, an hour’s drive from Jerusalem.
We stand there and set up the shot whilst it is still dark, waiting for the sun to appear over the Dead Sea.
We bring black coffee and make it on the spot. Meanwhile the Director of Photography starts filming as the sky gradually turns orange whilst the first rays of the day emerge from the horizon. As the sun rises it reflects beautifully against the calm waters of the Dead Sea and the quiet, rugged dessert provides the perfect frame to the shot.
Biblical Productions – Our Added Edge
For all genres, the desert in Israel has the potential to offer a lot of versatility for filming. It can be used for travel shows, wildlife documentaries, drama scenes, re-enactments and more. There are a huge range of shots possible from the deserts in Israel and Biblical Productions are the only film production company in Israel with such a vast knowledge of hidden settings and location ideas.
Uncategorized | admin March 3, 2010 | Comments (0)
We may only work with you for a short time…. but we leave behind our special touch that remains on film forever.
Our creativity, flexible thinking and problem solving turn your vision into reality.
Biblical Productions; it’s the way we think that sets us apart.
Here are our recommendations of where to film in Jerusalem.
Ha-nevi’im St.
The street’s name – Ha-nevi’im – was given in the beginning of the British Mandate. However the street’s development began in the mid-nineteenth century and was called, “street of the consuls” because of the foreign consuls that occupied the street, and “street of the hospitals” for the same reason. Over the years many well-known people lived on this street, and there is a fascinating story behind the construction of each building.
The Ethiopian consulate was built by a member of the Ethiopian royal family in 1924. The woman who built it – a devout Christian, never had the chance to live in the immaculately designed house.
The next building along the road, the Probstei, was built by the German Lutheran Church for the head of their congregation in Jerusalem, and today it houses ORT, a vocational school.
At number 37 you will find the Rothschild Hospital, built in 1887 with a donation from the Rothschild Family, and one of the first hospitals in the city. It now serves as the Hadassah Community College.
The Thabor House is the dream house of Conrad Schick, a key figure in the architecture of Israel. Today it is a theological institute for Swedish Protestants. You can see the intricate design and the details that, at the time, garnered this house a reputation for being one of the most beautiful in Jerusalem.
In 1869, during a visit to the holy land, English painter Holman Hunt built a house on Ha-nevi’im Street, located at number 64. Dr. Helena Kagan, the first female doctor in the city and a famous pediatrician, lived in the house until her death in 1978. The famed Israeli poet, Rahel Bluwstein, lived in the cottage in the courtyard.
Finally, on this street sits the English Hospital, which was originally founded by Anglican missionaries hoping to woo Jewish converts through medical treatment. Presently the building functions as the Anglican School for children of diplomats and UN personnel.
The Via Dolorosa
The “Via Dolorosa”, literally “The Path of Sorrow,” is also known as the “Way of the Cross” where Jesus Christ, condemned to death, made his way, carrying the heavy cross on which he was to be crucified. The traditional route of the Via Dolorosa includes fourteen stations, where each station represents a separate milestone in Jesus’ long walk from condemnation to crucifixion. Since the earliest times, interest in Christ’s suffering until his final moments, has been a central aspect of Christianity. Monks in Western Europe designated the fourteen Stations of the Cross during the late middle ages. Until the 17th century there was no set number of stations. There was a tradition of seven stations and another tradition of twenty eight; the New Testament does not mention the stations as such. It is the stations of the 17th century that are presently traditionally observed.
The Via Dolorosa Procession – Every Friday at 4:00pm the procession begins from the Church of Flagellation next to the Lion’s Gate. The procession, through nine stations of the Via Dolorosa, involves Franciscan priests dressed in brown robes walking with pilgrims from around the world with crosses on their backs singing and praying. The procession ends after around an hour at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where the last five stations are located. This walk is most impressive on Easter, but takes place every week on a smaller scale.
Sisters of Zion Convent
The Old City of Jerusalem is a place with many layers. Throughout the centuries buildings have been built one on top of another and when they are excavated they make for fascinating archeological sites. This convent houses one such site, which is open for filming, containing archeological excavations that depict the complexity of Jerusalem.Located in The Via Dolorosa.
The Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies (Mormon University)
Combine one of the most stunning views in Israel, with a biblical garden, a concert hall with a breathtaking view and a 7,000 book library, and you have the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, located next to the Hebrew University. Architects, David Resnik and Frank Ferguson, built the structure based on the philosophy that it should harmoniously blend with its surroundings. They created a layered structure that visually corresponds to the Old City, with its alleyways, arches, hallways, and courtyards. You can see almost the entire city from the building, and the building is likewise, visible from across the city. The building’s design creates a feeling of endlessness and a plethora of natural light. The building won prestigious architectural prizes in the world. There are frequent free 45 minute tours that are worthwhile as well as two styles of concerts take place regularly at the concert hall, and entrance is free. Every Sunday there is a classical concert, and once a month on Thursday’s there is a jazz/ethnic concert. The concerts take place to the backdrop of the cities lights. The pipe organ in the upper part of the hall, worth a half a million dollars, was built in Denmark and is considered to be the largest pipe organ in the Middle East. The campus is open to the public on Tuesday – Friday. For more details call – 02-626-5666 (tickets to concerts must be ordered in advance).
A great location for to film an interview in Jeruslem.
Uncategorized | admin February 22, 2010 | Comments (2)
As a film producer I scout many places in Jerusalem .Here are some local tips where to visit in Jerusalem.
Enjoy Sharon
Some of the noteworthy sites you will see are the water tunnels that King Hezekiah’s built 2,700 years ago in order to redirect the flow of water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam, during an impending siege by the Assyrians. Area G – an area of excavations mostly uncovered between 1978 and 1985, containing remnants of a large number of buildings, mainly from the First Temple period. And the Shiloach Pool, mentioned in several instances in the Bible, and the pool is significant for Christians because according to the Gospel of John, it is where Jesus healed a man who was blind from birth.
Where to eat:
Focaccia
4 Rabbi Akiva St.
Tel.: 02-625-6428, 02-6242273
Located in a beautiful old Jerusalem house in the heart of city, Focaccia is an ideal meeting place for visitors and local residents alike. The restaurant specializes in Focaccia – a flat Italian bread – with delicious combinations of toppings, and also serves meat dishes, pasta, seafood, and salads. I recommend Focaccia for its tasty food, lively atmosphere, and reasonable prices. A good choice for lunch or dinner. Price: $15-25.
Shop at:
Mahane Yehuda Marketplace
Recently, the Mahane Yehuda Market has experienced a renaissance. For over one hundred years, a market has been standing at this site, and it has seen many transformations. The present marketplace was constructed in 1931 and since then has been periodically renovated, including the addition of a roof over one section. The market is one place you do not want to miss. The atmosphere, the smells, the clothing shops, and the interesting faces, make this cultural phenomenon worth a few hour visit. It is a large market that sells vegetables, fruits, cheeses, fish, olives, and much more. In my experience, people think it is one of the most exciting places in the city. You should not be afraid to bargain – if a vendor tells you ten, that means it’s five.
The Rockefeller Museum
Suleman Street, East Jerusalem (Near the Flower Gate)
Tel.: 02-628-2251
The first building constructed expressly as a national museum, the Rockefeller Museum, was funded by American millionaire John D. Rockefeller Jr. and was built over a 15-year period, finally completed in the late 1930’s. Located in Eastern Jerusalem, the fascinating museum was originally known as the Palestine Archaeological Museum. Designed in an octagonal shape the museum uses Moslem, Jewish, and Christian elements. The museum’s collection includes significant finds from major excavations in Israel conducted in the early twentieth century. In addition to the main collection there are several smaller exhibition rooms, each addressing a special topic, including: stucco elements and statuary from Hisham’s Palace near Jericho; carved wood doors and panels from the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount; lintels from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; and smaller rooms with collections of coins and gold jewelry. The museum stands out for its unique architecture, its history, and of course the rare artifacts that it houses.
The German Colony
Once a pastoral German neighborhood, founded in the 1870s by German Templers, the German Colony is now a busy up-scale part of town. If you walk around the side streets you can get an impression of what the area was once like when it was inhabited by the Templers, and you can uncover the hidden architectural treasures built by its German founders.
Tel: 02-565-4333
The Jerusalem Cinematheque is the local “alternative” theater that specializes in non-mainstream and classic films. It also hosts the Jerusalem Film Festival, one of Israel’s eminent film festivals, with the best of the local film industry as well as varied international productions. The festival usually takes place in July and if you are visiting the city during the summer you should inquire into the festival dates. The Cinematheque houses the White restaurant. The view from the terrace outside the restaurant is amazing, but the food is average: pasta, focaccia, and salads.
Uncategorized | admin February 17, 2010 | Comments (0)
Choosing the right fixer Israel is a challenging decision. As many production teams will testify, your choice of fixer Israel can make or break a production. Biblical Productions have worked with crews from around the world, acting as their fixer Israel. Our many years of experience can bring many benefits to your next production in Israel.
Fixer Israel
Your Flexible Fixer in Israel
We provide an all round, quality service; we are detail orientated and consider every aspect of your production. We think a great fixer should have intuition, understanding and creativity. We have been lucky to have worked as a fixer Israel across a full range of productions; documentaries, commercials, feature films and more. We work well with big and small crews alike and can provide a high quality service for low budgets as well work at the top end of the market. With more than twenty years experience we have worked with a diverse range of crews from all over the world and can rise to any challenge.
Our Service
As your fixer Israel, our chief objective is for you to go back home with excellent footage. Safety is paramount for all of our productions and we always take sensible precautions; never taking you to any location that would jeopardize the crew.
We save you time and effort and ensure you have access to the prime filming locations in Israel. We organize all the right film permits and offer our own ideas for each production.
The Crew Comes First
We work with a list of DPs from around the world as well as from Israel. It’s very important for crews to have the time and space to concentrate on the needs of your film. It can be difficult to work in some locations in Israel and our aim is to lower the inconvenience so that the production can go smoothly. With Biblical Productions taking care of any problems and challenges as they arise, the crew are able to focus on the production itself.
As a fixer Israel we see our clients as the priority and make sure each gets excellent treatment during the length of their production in Israel; from the moment they arrive at the airport until well after they have departed.
We Look After You
As a fixer Israel we like to combine professionalism, hard work, efficiency and creativity. We organize each day so that the crew can, on the one hand manage to accomplish a lot of filming, but on the other they can also enjoy a comfortable stay in Israel. We make sure that the crew have proper lunch breaks, drink plenty of water and have regular snacks.
Filming Equipment
We work with excellent drivers who know their way around; this saves you time and money and also ensures you arrive safely at your destination with your equipment intact. We keep a close eye on all your equipment and ensure that nothing gets lost. In our business film equipment is very expansive and we want to make sure every item is returned or shipped in the condition it arrive in.
The Best Fixer in Israel
We see ourselves as the top fixer Israel. We have great letters of recommendation from clients across the globe. Having lived in the heart of Jerusalem for many years we are very familiar with every corner of the town. We have developed a close and useful network of reliable contacts within Jerusalem. Words such as ‘honesty’, ‘reliability’ and ‘responsibility’ are the key essence of our work as fixer in Israel. Because we have a trusted and professional network of local contacts and offer a five star service ourselves, we never let our clients down.
A Safe Pair of Hands
Hiring Biblical Productions as your fixer Israel means that you are choosing a quality service that can guide and assist you throughout your production in Israel. We truly understand that you are sending your crew to unfamiliar territory but rest assured that you can trust us to assist them during their shoot in Israel.
We take our work and your production very seriously. Long after the production is complete we are still here to support you.
Sharon Schaveet
Uncategorized | admin January 30, 2010 | Comments (0)
At Biblical Productions we are famous for going the extra mile. We take such pride in our work, and in our clients’ productions. Finding the perfect location is one of our key services.
For our client we needed authentic locations that fitt in well with the stories being told.
We found a range of beautiful and meaningful settings … but our task does not end there.
Our next challenge is to present our locations in the best possible way. To this end we ensured that we caught the fresh light of the dawn sky and had to start our day at 4am..
We find the perfect shots of each of our locations.
For some scene we hire a jimmy jib crane and captured some stunning shots which really make an excellent film even better. Here are some of my Favorite Locations in Israel:
At Biblical Productions we genuinely care about the footage our clients take home.
Sharon Schaveet
Producer
Uncategorized | admin January 27, 2010 | Comments (1)
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