Sindbad Production

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a freelance film controller for a broadcast media company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sindbad Production?

We needed someone to provide production services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provided turnkey production services, including providing the local crew, facilitating all the locations and design elements like construction and costume, and any translators, as well. Their team also helped with negotiations.

We were shooting in Tunisia and Eastern Sahara Desert because the story was based in Iraq. We needed the feel of having a dry Middle Eastern country. We were casting in various countries and their team was quite heavily involved. 

They were involved on the creative side. The scripts were already in place, but they supported different aspects that required local knowledge. For one scene, we needed a helicopter and military personnel, and Sindbad Production made that happen for us.  

The final video was four parts, each one hour long. It took six months and the shoot was around 20 weeks long. 

What is the team composition?

My contact initially was with Moez (Production Manager). He was working with me on the budget. The other team members were collaborating with the production side, so it was around 100 people total. 

How did you come to work with Sindbad Production?

The decision to use them was made before I came onto the production. They are the premier production company in Tunisia. Also, Philippa (Production Coordinator) is English and there was a lot of work that we had to do collaboratively with them to get the budget to work. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from April–September 2007.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

It ended up being an award-winning production for the BBC. The work was received really well and was a very successful drama.

How did Sindbad Production perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very transparent and I was quick to trust them. I’d like to work with them again one day.

What did you find most impressive about them?

There is always a sense of nervousness in this industry when you’re working around the world, but Sindbad Production was nice and honest. It’s clear they care. They were really experienced, understood the industry and knew what they were doing. They also knew Tunisia and the various things they needed to do to get things done. They were impressive as a team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, but there are things my team could have improved on instead of them. We should have listened to them and relied on them more. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I have no hesitation in recommending them—I really like them.