Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Visits Russian World Studios (RWS)

The latest filming and lighting equipment that the “RWS – Saint Petersburg” studio uses for up-to-date film production was shown to the participants of the working conference under the supervision of Vladimir V. Putin, the Russian Prime Minister, which the studio facility hosted today. At the moment the following projects are being developed at the “RWS – Saint Petersburg”: “A Woman’s Word” and “Chimera/ Chameleon” TV-series, a large international project “The Humpbacked Horse” (aka “Konyok-Gorbunok”) produced on the basis of 3D animation technologies, and TV-shows recording for “STREAM-TV” channels.

Outstanding Russian filmmakers, government authorities and Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Vladimir V. Putin participated in the conference and during the tour around the studio that encompasses the latest advances in film technologies they pointed out that the launching of film production in “RWS – Saint Petersburg” is an excellent present for all cinema lovers on the 100th anniversary of the Russian cinema industry.    

The RWS studio facility construction in Saint Petersburg began in the end of 2005. The investment of $100 million was made in the studio’s I stage of construction which was put into commission in July, 2008. The total area of the operating facilities is 11 000 m2 which include four 750 m2 stages (there is a water tank in one of them designed for on the water shootings), two 350 m2 stages, Dolby Premier studio, 8 video editing rooms, 3 audio editing rooms, 2 sound recording studios and a dubbing studio. About 4 000 m2 is allocated for offices, makeup rooms, wardrobes, cafeteria and other supplementary facilities.

The estimated studio production capacity is 20 projects per year which means it is possible to conduct simultaneous shootings of six or seven films and TV-series.

According to the business plans, it is expected to invest about $150 million more in the II and III stages’ construction and equipment. It is intended to launch 3 additional sound recording studios, a music recording studio, a Foley studio, a screening room, studio control room, computer graphics and animation studio. It is planned to launch one of the biggest stages in Europe (2 000 m2) with a water tank, special effects studio, postproduction studio, and film processing lab; large warehouses and parking lots will be build. 2 000 m2 production facility will allocate props workshop, warehouse for props’ storage and lighting and camera equipment operating center.

Real Estate Development Company for “RWS Saint Petersburg” is CJSC “Sistema-Gals Severo-Zapad”; General Contractor is CJSC “Gals-Stroy”.