October was a busy month at Biblical Productions. Within hours of the NBC film crew’s departure, the Morningstar Entertainment crew arrived in Israel to film two episodes of their new show Secret Worlds for the Travel Channel. Producer Director Paul Benz was accompanied by DP Tanner Wolfe and the show’s host, archaeologist Michael Arbuthnot. Biblical Productions provided further local crew; arranged logistics and Sharon Schaveet accompanied the shoot as a production manager. Their ten day shoot took the crew from the Dead Sea to Jerusalem, to beautiful old Acre and its fascinating tunnels, to old crusader castles in the north and finally to Amman, Jordan. Biblical Productions was responsible for all services in Israel and Jordan and on this occasion worked in conjunction with the Israel Tourism Board who contributed to the successful completion of the shoot with their generous support. The crew enjoyed a fantastic dive at the Caesarea underwater park for which Israel’s leading underwater DP Yariv Mor joined the team. They also explored the beautiful Israeli Mediterranean coastline with a small yacht hired for the occasion – a unique way to explore Israel’s old ports and archaeological wonders. Several national and international experts, Alison Schofield, Meir Bar-Ilan, Robert Kool and Julie Baretz contributed to the show’s content and success on different locations around the country. It was a great pleasure working with such a professional and kind crew and we wish the show great success.
Special thanks also to Motti Saar from the Israeli Tourism Board who took fantastic care of the crew all along the way.

While all of Israel was enjoying the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Sukkoth, Biblical Productions was busily preparing the arrival of Bluebook Films from LA. Bruce Burgess and his team arrived in Israel after a challenging shoot in Egypt to continue their worldwide Relic Quest. Line producer Tom Cline oversaw the production while DP Jacob Pinger and camera man Eric Purugganan robbed through tunnels and caves with Bruce, the show’s host and creative head. Completed by field producer Robin Acutt, sound recordist John Iskander and NBC security consultant Scott Charnick, the 7 American crew members explored some stunning locations, i.e. the caves of Beit Guvrin, Zedekiah’s Cave, and the Basilique St Anne with its fascinating vaults, cisterns and underground tunnels. The show’s expert and second explorer was archaeologist Simon Gibson who shared his extensive knowledge with Bruce on various relics and the business of tomb raiders. The production was managed by international producer Sharon Schaveet who was also the main field producer. Biblical Productions prepared the entire shoot including challenging location permissions, conducted risk assessment and took care of logistics. We are exceptionally proud to have been part of such an exciting reality documentary series, and we are all eagerly awaiting the show’s start in January 2009 on the Sci-Fi Channel. For all their future locations across the globe, we are wishing the crew much success and smooth sailing.

Renegade Pictures arrived in Israel in August to shoot their Jesus Project for the Discovery Channel after already having completed a two week location scout in July. The filming stretched out over two weeks, with three different hosts at work and two units filming on different locations over several days. Allen Callahan, a biblical scholar, Rachel Havrelock, professor for Jewish studies, and Byron McCane, an archaeologist, will be taking the audience on a never before seen journey through the Holy Land; the usage of high-quality CGI will help the viewer to visualize what life was like almost two thousand years ago. The crew under award-winning director Alex Marengo worked all across Jerusalem and in Bethlehem, as well as in the Galilee, Haifa and Tel Aviv. Jemila Twinch and Anna Waddell worked as Associate Producers, conducting interviews and filming GVs; head DP Chris King shared some of the work load with Israeli DPs Yoram Millo and Eyal Zahavi on the renowned Panasonic 900 cameras. Production Manager and international producer Sharon Schaveet worked with the main unit over 12 days, whereas Anika Pilnei took care of the second unit for several days. It was an overall challenging, but very rewarding production, where the crew fought temperatures over 40 degrees at the Sea of Galilee on some days.

Our compliments to a crew that was very well prepared and had conducted terrific research to make a unique program about the life of Jesus and life in the first century. The program will be aired Easter 2009 on the Discovery Channel and we wish Renegade Pictures much success. We are sure it will be a fantastic program and truly a wonderful experience for the audience.

In August 2008, U.S. based Mahoney Media Group returned to Israel after having shot here the feature length documentary The Exodus Conspiracy in 2007. Pete Windahl and Tim Mahoney came back to film some more locations and interviews with such high-profile experts as Gabriel Barkay, PhD, and Professor Jodi Magness. Their documentary deals with exodus-related archaeological finds and is set to launch in Israel around March 2009. They are planning a festive VIP premiere with some of the prominent figures that have taken part in the film, as well as a selection of filmmakers, media representatives and other guests. A number of unique events will surround the grand launch in 2009 which are to commemorate the Exodus as a historical event. International producer Sharon Schaveet managed this production again with expertise and professionalism, connecting the crew with high-ranking archaeological experts and PR contacts here in Israel.

In July, Biblical Productions welcomed a crew from the Discovery Channel in Israel. After having completed their shoot in Egypt, director Andy Papadopoulos and DP Chris Laine traveled via the Taba border crossing to Israel where international producer Sharon Schaveet took them on eight intense shooting days around the entire country. Their new series, Biblical Mysteries Explained, required shooting locations in the very north of Israel; Tabgha, Beit Shean, and Zipori, as well as at the southern tip of Israel, with beauty shots of the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, Qumran and of course, a few days of filming in magnificent Jerusalem. The crew then traveled to Jordan to shoot some more footage for their Sodom and Gomorrah episode. It was a wonderful and challenging production, tackling the coordination of a schedule that involved three countries, two border crossings and the transfer of equipment through customs. In the end, Biblical Productions could wrap another successful shoot and needless to say, it was an absolute delight working with such a professional and experienced crew for their new exciting series.

In the last week of June, international producer Sharon Schaveet worked with a highly talented and professional production group from Chicago, who came to film a documentary about the History of the Catholic Church and Catholicism in the Holy Land. NBC correspondent Mike Leonard joined DP John Cummings, director Matthew Leonard and production manager Nanette Noffsinger on their week long documentary shoot in the Holy Land, further accompanied by their financial manager Nancy Ross. Father Robert Barron, the narrator and spiritual head of the group stunned the crew with his ability to do everything in just one take, with further support always at hand from his two assistants Diane Archibald and Denis McNamara.

The documentary will have the format of a ten part series for which further filming is planned in Rome, Egypt and around the world. Biblical Productions coordinated the entire shoot and arranged all permits, took care of logistics and hired local crew. The crew visited almost two dozen locations in 8 days, and Biblical Productions also managed to arrange yet another filming permit at the strictly secured Temple Mount area.

Although there is currently no release date available yet for the documentary, we are sure that this production is going to be a wonderful success, and the experience of working with such a stunning crew has been truly inspirational. If you would like to read what the crew has to say about their production in Israel, please click here. Special thanks to Nanette Noffsinger for putting this wonderful production together.

Illuminations Media from the UK already filmed in Israel at the beginning of March; producer Linda Zuck now came to Israel at the end of June to shoot parts of their new Faith to Faith documentary in the Galilee. The documentary is commissioned by the Co-exist Foundation in London and the Tanenbaum Organisation in New York; Executive Vice President Joyce Dubensky joined the film crew together with Heather DuBois for a series of interviews in the North. The crew filmed at the Kalanit School in Karmiel and at Al-Salam School in Majd el-Krum, where the two principals have set up an exemplary interfaith project between Israeli-Jewish and Israeli-Arabic children. The crew accompanied the children during their shared activities, interviewed teachers and educators on their thoughts about the project, their visions, and problems they have been experiencing along the way.

Biblical Productions, owned by international producer Sharon Schaveet, managed the entire shoot with a minimal turn around time before the actual production; arranging interviews, filming schedule, locations and hiring local crew; Anika Pilnei accompanied the shoot as a field producer for three days.

A Spanish crew from Barcelona arrived in May to film biblical and historical sites for a video that will be exhibited at the famous Montserrat Monastery in Barcelona this summer. Revisiting the sites and landscapes of a Spanish monk who traveled through Israel in the beginning of the last century as a pilgrim, the crew filmed at such spectacular sites such as Masada, Maktesh Ramon, Zinn Valley, the Mount of Beatitudes and of course in the city of Jerusalem. Biblical Productions arranged and managed the entire shoot which visited more than a dozen locations in just a few days.

After several months of intense preparation, Artwalker Ltd arrived from Hong Kong in Israel to shoot parts of their new feature film here in Israel. Permanent Residence is a character driven drama about friendship and the meaning of life that has been shot since the beginning of 2008 in Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia. Artwalker Ltd is owned by Australian – Chinese director Scud Cheng who took along famous DP Herman Yau from Hong Kong to turn his vision into reality.

With their choice to shoot at the Dead Sea and Jerusalem, the crew picked two of Israel’s top locations for filmmakers. Alongside the Dead Sea shore, a beautiful tent was built by the Israeli art crew to become the set for one of the major scenes in the script. The other day the crew headed out to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem to shoot another big scene at one of the world’s most photographed sites.

The Chinese crew and actors from Hong Kong worked alongside top professional Israeli crew to ensure to bring great footage home to their editors. Biblical Productions, under the management of international producer Sharon Schaveet, had prepared this feature meticulously for weeks, handling the entire pre-production process with the selection of the best locations, hiring crew, equipment and extras, liaising with the art crew and organizing accommodation, transport and catering.

After a few long days of work it was a successful ‘it’s a wrap’ for the production in Israel and also for the entire film. Post-production begins upon their return to Hong Kong with an expected completion and cinema release date of Permanent Residence at the end of 2008.

For more information on the film, cast & crew, please click here

At the beginning of April, Wild Dream Films traveled to Israel to shoot parts of the third season of Ancient Discoveries here in Israel. Sharon Schaveet managed the local production part, taking the crew to various locations around Jerusalem, to Jacob’s Ford in the North and to a breathtaking place in the Judean desert. The UK crew brought along well-known slingshot expert Luis Antonio Pons Livermore from Menorca to demonstrate ancient sling shot methods, hitting targets at a distance of up to 180 meters. If you want to see Luis in action, have a look at the photos below and check back on our website for the airing date of this fascinating Ancient Discoveries show.

Working with Illuminations Media from the UK

Short Film for the Jerusalem Academy of Music & Dance

Biblical Productions is proud to announce the completion of A Place for the Heart, a short film about the celebrated Jerusalem Academy of Music & Dance. The short film introduces the academy to potential new students and their parents, showcasing some of the students’ amazing works and showing the variety of the fields that the curriculum holds. It is a special honor that one of Israel’s most finest maestros, Mendi Rodan, shares his fond thoughts about the academy. A Place for the Heart is a truly inspirational insight at one of the world’s most celebrated institutions of its kind that has never lost its personal touch and feeling of friendliness among the strong competition. It has been a true privilege to produce this film.

Filming in Israel – International Producer Sharon Schaveet

Sending a crew overseas for a shoot can be a costly matter. The alternative is to have a professional and reliable producer in Israel to take the responsibility of delivering precise footage according to your script.

In the last month, international producer Sharon Schaveet has produced two productions for clients in the US and Canada, taking sole responsibility for the entire shoots. Biblical Productions can produce your project in Israel in the most reliable manner, working with high-quality crews and equipment. All tapes and paperwork will be delivered to your office after the shoot. Please contact us for recommendations at: info@biblicalproductions.com.

Filming in Israel for Valerie Lowe – Canadian Government
The production at The Jerusalem Institute for the Blind involved interviews with leading professors about their invention of a virtual mouse, as well as demonstrations and b-roll.

Filming in Israel for Alexander Haig –
Multi Media Productions / 21st Century Health
The second production was shot for Multi Media Productions in Florida, producing content for 21st Century Health, looking at a groundbreaking new invention in root canal procedure. Two of the most prestigious professors in the field of dental health in Israel, Prof. Oded Nahlieli and Prof. Joshua Mushanov, contributed to the shoot at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, as well as the CEO of Sialo Technology, Itzik Henig.

Lone Wolf Doc. Group Heads out to Israel

In the last week of February 2008, Biblical Productions had the pleasure of working with the US based production house ‘Lone Wolf Documentary Group’. They are producing an exciting documentary about the good and the evil, filming at historical locations such as Qumran, Tel Megiddo and Jerusalem.	Here is the crew filming at Al-Aqsa Mosque
Biblical Productions was responsible for the production services in Israel, including all film permits and finding the right interviewees for this shoot. The documentary will air on the History Channel in July 2008.

Working with Roche Productions from France

During December 2007, Biblical Productions worked with Roche Productions, a French production company, assisting them with permissions and general consultation. Roche are currently producing a film about Jerusalem for the French TV station ARTE. Our assistance included finding them the best locations to shoot in Jerusalem.

Here is the team filming on Christmas Eve at the Salvador Church

Italian Documentary Film

Biblical Productions recently worked with the filmmaker Mr. Luigi Del Prete from Italy, who was in Israel filming a documentary entitled, "La sante," a historical film. We managed the production in Israel, and among other things, during the shoot, the crew interviewed famous Israel author Aaron Appelfeld. The film will be screened at a new museum in Italy in the end of 2008.

Waves of Freedom - New Film for ZDF and Arte

We are pleased to announce the production of a new film entitled Waves of Freedom. The film, directed by Alan Rosenthal, will air on ZDF in Germany and ARTE in France in the upcoming months. Waves of Freedom tells the story of several regular American guys who, during WWII, were swept up in the mission to save Jewish refugees fleeing Europe. Biblical Productions produced the film with Alan Rosenthal, and Nissim Mossek served as editor.

September Films UK working with Biblical Productions

December 2007 - This month we worked with September Films UK on a documentary co-production of Channel 4 UK and the History Channel USA. The team was here for 5 days filming a documentary that will air in March. The film follows Prof. Tudor Parfitt investigating a topic that will also be the subject of his new book. The topic will be made public in March. We are pleased to wrap up another successful shoot.

It’s a Wrap for "Cities of the Underworld" in Israel
The show will air on the History Channel on January 23rd, 2008

Biblical Productions managed the production of “Cities of the Underworld” for Authentic Entertainment, a production company based in Los Angeles. The show was filmed in various locations all over Israel during October – November of 2007. Host Don Wildman and the crew, including Philip Carr, Christian Ortega, Jeff Daniels, and Alper Nakri, stayed in Israel for 4 weeks filming this unique show in exciting locations with top experts in their fields. Sharon Schaveet managed this complex production working with top institutions and public organizations in Israel, taking care of all logistics and Production Services. We recommend you tune in on January 23rd and watch the show.

Here is the crew at the Dome of the Rock:

Celebrating the successful filming at the wrap dinner:

Congratulations to Authentic Entertainment on such an outstanding show!

Things are happening at Biblical Productions. Currently we are working with five film crews in Israel from different production companies in the U.S. and the U.K. This month we filmed in Eilat at the Red Sea and the Mount of Eilat for Multi Media Productions, based in Florida.

Biblical Productions is offering a service that we would like to invite you to read about - VIP Film Production Services in Israel.

Tribute to Teddy Kollek Film for the Jerusalem Foundation

Biblical Productions is proud to announce the production of a short film for the Jerusalem Foundation. We made the film as a tribute to the legendary mayor of Jerusalem, Teddy Kollek. The film tells the story of Teddy’s life, from an activist in the Jewish underground saving Jews from Nazi Europe, to his days working in the Ben Gurion government. The film explains how Teddy established the Jerusalem Foundation, which has, for over 20 years, served as a driving force in the improvement and development of Jerusalem with its countless projects. The film, containing photographs and rare archive footage, was screened at a special dinner in London. To read more about the event go to:

http://www.jerusalemfoundation.org/english/article.php?id=783

Biblical Productions Covers Newton Conference for
    Japanese Television

On Sunday June 17th The Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem began a week long conference entitled “Newton - in Pursuit of the Secrets of God and Nature,” bringing together the world’s top Newton scholars to discuss one of the greatest minds of the modern era. The conference took place in conjunction with the opening of the “Newton’s Secrets” exhibition at the National Library, displaying original Newton manuscripts never-before seen by the public. Biblical Productions covered this momentous event for Nippon television based in Japan and the Netherlands.

Citizen Nawi Premieres at the Jerusalem Film Festival

On July 6th 2007 Citizen Nawi, the latest feature documentary by Biblical Productions, premiered to a packed and enthusiastic audience at the Jerusalem Film Festival. The response from the audience was overwhelming and the director, Nissim Mossek, received a standing ovation. Citizen Nawi documents the tumultuous life of one of the most fascinating men in the Israeli left - Ezra Nawi - a plumber by trade and a political activist who fights for Palestinians’ rights. Ariel Hirschfeld, from Haaretz newspaper wrote, “The power of this film lies in the cogent dialogue between the film … and the captivating, highly complex personality of Ezra Nawi.” The film was awarded a Special Mention by the jury, "for its powerful portrayal of its hero, and for its persistent and courageous venturing into the most painful areas of life in this region."

New Zealand based “Top Shelf Productions” films documentary
    in Israel

Top Shelf Productions, a leading production company in New Zealand, arrived in Israel in June to film a documentary about Lloyd Geering, entitled “The Last Western Heretic.” Biblical Productions assisted the crew, by preparing the shoot and accompanying them during their time in Israel. We shot with director of photography Wayne Vinten and director Monique Oomen and the whole crew at several locations near the Sea of Galilee and all around Jerusalem.

April 2007 – Israel Production of The Exodus Case

During the month of April, Biblical Productions provided comprehensive Production Services to U.S. based, Mahoney Media Group, while they were working on The Exodus Case, a feature length documentary dealing with new exodus-related archeological finds. Sharon Schaveet produced the filming in Israel, which included reenactments, interviews with prominent Israeli figures such as Deputy Premier Shimon Peres and former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu, and filming at various locations around Israel. Upon the film’s release in 2008, Mahoney Media are planning festive screenings around the world accompanied by unique events commemorating the exodus. The festivities in Israel will include a march from Eilat to Jerusalem in honor of the exodus and The Exodus Case.

Biblical Productions Produces Video Clip for Music Artist Nassiri

As part of his world peace tour, fashion mogul turned peace activist, Fred Nassiri landed in Israel to film a video clip to be aired on MTV, with the Production Services of Biblical Productions. After choosing to shoot the clip on top of the Tower of David, producer Sharon Schaveet led a crew of top Israeli professionals coming mostly from the world of quality feature films. The large-scale concept of the clip for Nassiri’s debut album, “Love Sees No Color,” is to use 12 locations around the world, including the Great Wall of China, The Statue of Liberty, and the Pyramids. In each site Nassiri will film with local crews and children singing his peace anthem. The purpose of the video is to spread the message of peace and harmony to the world through the powerful medium of music. Biblical Productions wrapped up the successful Israeli shoot, with the participation of talented children from the charming Hora Efrochim dance troupe and the one of a kind Israeli Palestinian Circus.
Watch the video

Biblical Productions to Release New Film – Israel’s War History

Biblical Productions is proud to announce the release of a new film: Israel’s War History. Up-to-date, informative, and featuring interviews with Israel’s most prominent generals and politicians, the film offers a complete review of the history of Israel and its wars, from the British Mandate in 1917 up until the latest events in Lebanon in 2006.

January 2007

January 2007 - Biblical Productions wrapped up the filming of - Henry Rollins uncut from Tel Aviv, for Swift River Productions, an LA based production company. Henry Rollins put on three successful shows in Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv. Biblical Productions provided Production Services for the filming of two performances in the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv, for Henry’s television show on the Independent Film Channel, entitled “The Henry Rollins Show.” After the show we spent time filming Henry in Jerusalem, interacting with locals and seeing the sights. The special from Israel, is scheduled to open the new season of Henry’s show, airing in April. Here is the team in Jerusalem.

This is the stage for the show in Tel Aviv designed by Erez Yaniv. It incorporates the phrase “freedom of speech” in Arabic and Hebrew.

Thomas Kinkade in Israel

Biblical Productions has provided productions service to Thomas Kinkade’s new documentary film project on his painting of the Holy Land. What an extraordinary experience Thomas Kinkade chose locations such as Sea of Galilee, Via Dolorosa , David’s Citadel, the Mount of Olives, the Gethsemane Garden and the Garden Tomb. The film was produced by The Nehemiah Group, Solomon Entertainment Enterprises LLC and 3DH from Atlanta, Georgia. Kinkade and his beautiful wife Nanette visited Israel for a week. The film will be released in a few months.

For more production news from 2006, please click here