film production
Short-time work in the Babelsberg studio: Minister confident
Studio Babelsberg has registered short-time work for some of its employees, citing the strike in Hollywood as the reason for this. photo
© Monika Skolimowska/dpa
The Babelsberg studio is sending some of its employees on short-time work – the reason given is the Hollywood strike. Brandenburg’s Economics Minister is nevertheless looking ahead with optimism.
Brandenburg’s Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach (SPD) has, despite the short-time work in the world-famous film factory Studio Babelsberg confident for the location. He also attributed this to the visit of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to Babelsberg in mid-August.
“He helped us to speed up communication with the board of directors in the short term,” said Steinbach of the German Press Agency. “That’s why I’m optimistic that in the fourth quarter, after further talks, a new concept and thus also the future of the Babelsberg studio will be possible.” Scholz had announced decisions on film funding until 2024.
“There is a lot of emotion associated with this location”
Studio Babelsberg in Potsdam is planning short-time work from September 1st due to a poor order situation. The works council sees about 40 out of 100 employees affected. Co-CEO Andy Weltman justified this with the production standstill for streaming, television and film projects – scriptwriters in the USA have been on strike since May, and actors too since July. Weltman said it remains committed to its employees, the company and its future as a premier content production hub. He hoped that short-time work would be reduced as soon as production started again.
The Brandenburg Economics Minister referred to the film studio’s plans for the future of the location. “During a conversation, the board members assured me that they also see synergies with the Babelsberg location for the various productions,” said Steinbach. “If the strike ends in the foreseeable future, that will certainly be a very important prerequisite for our location to be able to continue in a reasonable manner.” He emphasized: “There is a lot of emotion associated with this location.”
Historical film production site
The world-famous Studio Babelsberg claims to be the oldest large-scale film studio in the world. For example, the film “Nosferatu” was shot there. Later, internationally successful feature films such as “Bridge of Spies” or the series “Babylon Berlin” were made in Babelsberg. The historic film production facility handed over management to Cinespace Studios, which belongs to US real estate investor TPG, in March.
The Federal Acting Association had expressed concern about short-time work. This is an immense challenge for the employees at the Babelsberg site, because the film production companies had to go on short-time work during the Corona crisis. After the entry of the American Cinespace studio group, the new investors and owners had to make a clear commitment to the Babelsberg production site.