Les Weldon

Production: Command Performance. Dolph Lundgren directed and starred in this action thriller, produced by Nu Image Films and Millennium Films. Shot on location on Red Square and elsewhere in Moscow for two days in autumn 2008, with other locations in Bulgaria.

Why did you choose to shoot in Russia'

We needed Red Square and Moscow streets.

Did you consider anywhere else'

No.

Did you use local crews and equipment'

Entirely.

How complicated was the red tape'

Shooting permits were complicated. Red Square, because of the Kremlin, is a high-security area. We got permits but then they were cancelled because of the Moscow marathon. We had to improvise an early morning shoot.

What advice would you give to a producer considering a shoot in Russia'

Have a healthy budget and a lot of time.

Which person or company in Russia was indispensable'

The most important person for a Moscow shoot is the location manager. He can make or break your shoot as permits are difficult and complicated. We actually used a Bulgarian unit production manager who I had used before and who happened to be shooting a film there. It was a sort of blanket of security for us, and even then it was complicated.

What do you know now about shooting in Russia that you wish you had known at the beginning'

That I should have been there for a longer prep to anticipate the unexpected.

What does Russia need to do to become a first-class European shooting location'

It already is. You just need to adjust to how things are done there.

What was the best thing about shooting in Russia'

The locations and the positive attitude of the crews. The Russian people are extremely friendly and accommodating.

What was the worst'

The language barrier and the permits.

Alex Gartner

Production: Get Smart. Directed by Peter Segal, this is an adaptation of the Mel Brooks TV series. It was shot on and near Red Square for two days in March 2007 as well as in Montreal, Washington DC and Los Angeles.

Why did you choose to shoot in Russia'

It was plot-specific. We had settled on shooting some second-unit slate shots and inserting (the film's stars) Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway in them, but in the end we figured out a way to make it work and get the real thing.

Did you consider shooting anywhere else'

We ran through the scenarios but we really decided Moscow was our best shot and also created the right impression.

Did you use local crews and equipment'

Yes. We brought key crew and cast and support with us but we used a local crew: ADs, operators, camera people, grip, electric and so on.

Was shooting in Russia cheaper than elsewhere in Eastern Europe'

Moscow was actually pretty pricey. Crews and equipment were reasonable but hotels and other things were quite expensive.

What advice would you give to a producer considering a shoot in Russia'

If you can make it work economically, it's great.

Which person or company in Russia was indispensable to the production'

Our local production company, Bazelevs. We found them to be a pleasure to deal with.

What does Russia need to do to become a first-class European shooting location'

Incentives. Russia doesn't compare to where I'm shooting now, in Hungary.

What was the best thing about shooting in Russia'

We really enjoyed the crew. They were very efficient and got up to speed immediately so there was no delay or downtime.

Would you shoot in Russia again'

Absolutely.