When I received the call from Los Angeles, I couldn’t believe it. A major American studio, known for its blockbuster series, was looking for medieval and fantasy locations in Europe. They needed someone to help scout these locations, and my company had been chosen for the task. Our recent award at the Cannes Film Festival for best emerging production company had clearly caught their attention.
After analysing the script with my assistant, Budapest came up as the ideal location. We quickly arranged our travel from Marseille and booked a chauffeur to assist us during our three-day stay, given the bulky equipment we were carrying. Thomas met us at Budapest airport, and his confident demeanour and extensive knowledge of the area instantly confirmed that we were in good hands.
We settled into the Aria Hotel and immediately after were on our way to scout the city. Thomas guided us through Budapest, starting with the majestic Buda Castle and the enchanting Vajdahunyad Castle. His insights led us to perfect vantage points for our photo and video tests. Beyond the well-known sites, Thomas introduced us to hidden locations, each offering unique backdrops for our scenes.
Undoubtedly, the best part of our trip was Thomas’s recommendation to visit Visegrád, just an hour from Budapest. The historic town, with its 13th-century castle and medieval ruins, was perfect. We spent hours capturing the essence of the location, returning the next day to shoot under different lighting conditions.
As our trip concluded, Thomas’s invaluable guidance ensured we had an abundance of material. We returned to France, and a few days after sending my scout report to the American studio, I learned they had been very impressed with our work, securing our involvement in future projects. Now, every time I see a new episode filmed in Budapest, I recall Thomas’s amazing help in our successful mission.
“I enjoy helping my passengers discover Budapest’s unique locations, and contributing to their project’s success, always leaving a lasting impression.”
