Utopia Films: The Ideal Solution in South America
Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL, June 18, 2008 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, conjures up stunning images of endless beaches, colorful and erotic Carnival celebrations, sexy sun-kissed women, the world's best footballers, and the oft-filmed Christ statue gleaming over the city. Add Utopia Films, a Rio de Janeiro production services company that recently joined the Artistas Rabiando image broadcasting roster - to the equation, and Rio also offers an unparalleled standard of excellence and cost-efficiency for clients who choose to shoot in this gorgeous locale.
Working primarily with international clients, Utopia Films is built on the belief that trust is vital to their success. "We want people to realize that their best interests are our best interests," owner Justin Bird explains. "Many times this comes down to saving them money. 90% of the jobs we do we come in under our estimated costs and we return money to the client."
A novel concept, and one that works in large part because of the company's understanding of both the local and international markets. "We bring a creative approach to budgeting and production planning incorporating not only numbers, but alternatives and options. We pride ourselves on our ability to communicate in the flexible local languages of the regions we cover, as well the more structured languages and expectations of our international clients."
Born in England, Bird was raised in the UK and in Germany. With 15 years of production experience in the USA, Canada, and throughout South America, he is fluent in English, German, Portuguese, and conversant in Spanish. His extensive experience working with US and European crews while shooting throughout South America ensures clear communication and fluid execution of production needs for a shoot. "We place a strong emphasis on US style organization and execution," says Bird, who founded Utopia Films USA in 1996, and in 2003 set up shop in Brazil.
Bird says he realizes that it is never a question of "will there be a problem?" Rather, it is a question of "what will the problem be and how will we solve it - or better still, avoid it." Understanding that there will always be barriers - whether cultural, linguistic, or otherwise - has enabled Utopia Films to consistently plan jobs efficiently and effectively.
Utopia Films has amassed an impressive list of production credits, including: Otto, Mastercard, Aviva, Crystal Clear, Banco Santander and Bacardi. Agencies Bassat, Ogilvy & Mather, McCann-Erickson, NY, Campbell Mithun/Chicago, Doom & Dickson/Amsterdam, Kolle Rebbe Werbeagentur Gmbh, and McCann-Erickson, Madrid, have all worked with Utopia.
In addition to its spot work, Utopia Films has branched out into the television arena with a Rio de Janeiro-based documentary called Cade o Dinheiro ("Where's the Money"), a docu-reality called ENTREPRENEUR shooting in Rio's poor neighborhoods, and Element 79, a TV series Utopia is producing in Rio intended for the world market. A police drama, the show may best be described as "NYPD Blue meets Midnight Express in the City of God."
Company principals are Bird and director Ricardo Hoyos. The Utopia Films talent roster includes Hoyos, Mike Brady, Arturo Hoyos, and Nicolas.
About Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro offers a huge array of untapped locations and looks all within a 60 mile radius. There is a vast pool of resources including experienced production personnel and equipment to match the needs of major production companies and still photographers from around the world.
Rio's wide range of ethnic diversity offers a distinct casting advantage. The city boasts additional advantages: extremely professional crews who are fast gaining an excellent international reputation, superb locations, near perfect weather, and first-class hotels.
The city has always been a hot spot for production and is poised to continue this trend. A beautiful location will inspire producers but excellent talent both in front of the camera and behind it and cost effectiveness, is what sends them packing.
Director/Executive Producer Gregg Koenigsberger - the Man Behind Guatemala's Premiere Production Outfit - Offers Many Reasons for US Filmmakers to Smile 
Advertising Awards, FIAP, and Ojo de Iberoamérica, and three-time film finalist honors at Cannes. Producciones 921 counts Blockbuster, Frito Lay, and Pepsico, among its clients, and works extensively with agency BBDO Guatemala.
"We are in a position that is both enviable and challenging," says Koenigsberger. "Guatemala is a country extremely rich in locations with both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans within a 5 hour drive of each other, we have Mayan ruins, Spanish Colonial cities,
local Indian villages, volcanoes, lakes, jungles, crops, vegetation and all kinds of architecture from neoclassic to modern." The challenge, he points out, is "making US filmmakers aware of these many resources, which extend beyond the aesthetic to the economic." 
while production costs are traditionally a fraction of those in the USA, filming in Guatemala can be a rather daunting, if not impossible, task for those without access to the local resources, insider contacts and experience afforded by Producciones 921. 
As the largest employer of production services and the most prolific production outfit in Guatemala, Producciones 921 has a wealth of contacts, and the company is granted priority status in securing the finest equipment and technicians. "Our firm offers an attractive combination of locations, low costs and the availability of a reliable company with the ability to put everything together in Guatemala and any other country in the Central American region," Koenigsberger states. 
The Producciones 921 roster is comprised of:
Production Notes: The production sought different Latin looks, resulting in a Brazilian, Argentinian and Mexican cast. "There is such a diversity of talent and looks in Mexico, that casting is always a strong asset," noted Ultra Films Executive Producer Sara Calles (pict., r.). Additionally, studio and art department costs were saved by shooting in Mexico. Practical production elements included large blocks of ice made of plexiglass and special effects were used to create condensation and ice steam. 
Raging Artists is proud to announce the opening of our Latin American division, the aptly named ARTISTAS RABIANDO. We have all witnessed the rising interest and activity levels in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay; these countries are so rich in production resources and talent that the time seemed perfect to create a pipeline of creative communication between Latin America and the US.