LOOK Effects Helps Procure German Funding for US Film
May 9, 2013

LOOK Effects Helps Procure German Funding for US Film

LOS ANGELES — LOOK Effects has helped secure substantial funding for Wes Anderson’s next film.

Working within their well-established relationships, LOOK effects was instrumental in making the connections that allowed The Grand Budapest Hotel to receive a financial subsidy from the Baden-Württemberg of Germany.

The Grand Budapest Hotel is an American Empirical Pictures and Indian Paintbrush production and a co-production of Germany's Studio Babelsberg, which acts as the executive production company. Principal photography took place in Germany.

"LOOK has longed worked with Wes and, also, with the people at MFG," says LOOK partner, Henrik Fett, who has guided this effort. "So it brings us great joy to announce that we were able to bring these two entities together for the benefit of all parties. We are looking forward to using our expertise and relationships in the region for future projects."

MFG Filmförderung is the regional film-funding agency for the Baden-Württemberg region. "We have long been working to raise awareness of our region in the Hollywood production community," says Andreas Trautz, Clustermanager of MFG's film and animation cluster. "LOOK Effects has been a great help in introducing us to filmmakers who are interested in exploring production in Baden-Württemberg. We are thrilled that Mr. Anderson made the decision to bring his production here and are glad to support him in anyway we can."

"We knew we needed a European location for this film," explains The Grand Budapest Hotel producer Jeremy Dawson. "So when Henrik told us about the possibility of financing from the region and introduced us to the people at MFG, that piqued our interest. We are, of course, very happy with how this has all worked out."

Charlie Woebcken, President/CEO of Studio Babelsberg AG and co-producer of The Grand Budapest Hotel: "The German Federal Film Fund combined with regional film funding grants like in Baden-Württemberg support international filmmakers by a one-of-a-kind film production rebate program. And Germany has become a proficient provider of VFX. Companies like LOOK Effects offer excellent services and attract more and more Hollywood productions."

For over 15 years, LOOK Effects has been a leading provider of digital-effects solutions for feature film, episodic television and special venue projects. With operations in Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver and Stuttgart, Germany, LOOK offers a knowledgeable and resourceful approach in partnering with their clients to supervise and produce visual effects.