Local film-makers and Hollywood to sign big 3D deal

Hollywood producers are on the verge of signing a deal with local film-makers to make the region's biggest 3D film yet.

Douglas Merrifield, an executive producer who has worked on movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Cast Away and National Treasure, said he was considering a UAE-based director for a 40-minute Imax project.

He has worked on 3D pop concert films such as Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience and Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert.

Mr Merrifield was in town for the Abu Dhabi Film Commission's annual Circle Conference, which brought together leading industry professionals.

"The project will be giving a historical overview of the Arabian peninsula as a whole from the past to the present," he said. "We feel there is an upside for representation of contemporary life here, to put it in a historical context people find interesting worldwide. It is very much a global market now."

Because the project, details of which are yet to be confirmed, will be set in the region, accuracy will be the top priority. "It doesn't do us any good to come and try to westernise or to Hollywood it," he said.

"We have made progress this trip and so we are hoping by doing a project on that scale here in 3D, it will in turn generate additional production based out of this area.

"As much local talent as possible will be used."