Monella Kaplan, who recently served as associate producer on Edison, has been named US representative ofKentauros Studios and Production, the new Romanian full-service productionfacility backed by a group of international investors.

Kentauros, which will accommodate features, television andcommercial shoots, has aligned itself with such industry partners as Italy'sPanalight/Panavision, Phillip Tellez Construction and German special effectscompany Effective.

Romanian actress Manuela Harabor will serve as executive vicepresident at the facility, which and currently has two fully operational soundsstages of 14,000sq ft and 7,000sq ft available for shoots immediately, withthree smaller stages expected by the end of the year.

A final 20,000sq ft stage is expected to be operational by spring2005. The facility also boasts a six-lot New York City backlot with sets ofManhattan, Uptown, Downtown and Central Park, which is due to be finished byJanuary 2005.

Gian Polo Varani, who has worked on Cold Mountain and Titus, becomes head of in-house featureproduction.

The facility also featuresfive-star VIP suites, catering facilities, makeup and wardrobe rooms.