London – 22 March 2005 – The filmmaking world is becoming riskier according to the second annual Global Filmmaking Map published today by Aon/Albert G Ruben, the world’s leading insurance broker for the entertainment industry.
This year, the map rated 91 countries at high (70) or very high risk (21); compared to 85 countries with equivalent risk ratings in 2004.
Filmmakers often select overseas locations in order to create greater realism, manage costs more efficiently or source people and props. However all will face risks on location which threaten actors, crew, equipment and, ultimately, budget.
According to Aon’s Global Filmmaking Map, the greatest risk facing today’s filmmakers when on location overseas is disease. This is followed by lack of medical care, crime, terrorism, political instability, organised crime and corruption and kidnap and ransom (ranked in order of frequency).
Aon/Albert G Ruben’s Global Filmmaking Map also highlights the world’s riskiest regions for the production of films and commercials. It shows that countries which have long been popular destinations for making motion pictures such as Mexico, Thailand, the Philippines and South Africa are now experiencing high risk ratings.
Equally, the Map highlights the high risks endemic to regions visited by news reporters (media companies) and documentary makers, such as: Congo (Kinshasa); Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast); Zimbabwe; Iraq; Saudi Arabia; Afghanistan; Uzbekistan; Indonesia; and Malaysia.
Chris Palmer, Director of Risk Control for Aon/Albert G Ruben commented: “Ten years ago, there was nowhere in the world that a filmmaker wouldn’t go. But this is no longer the case.
“Filmmakers spend considerable time scouting for the perfect location. However our analysis shows that there are significant risks that impact actors, crew and expensive equipment. They need to protect against these risks; and the cost of this protection must be factored in so as to avoid false economies.
“Furthermore, we are seeing a gap between perception and reality. Most people would cite terrorism as the foremost risk facing them today in today’s global environment; however our map shows that the risks of disease, poor medical care and crime are more prevalent for filmmakers.”
Chris Palmer added: “As the cost of managing risk increases, we can expect to see filmmakers shy away from certain locations and seek alternatives. Eastern Europe, for instance, is seeing considerable amounts of filmmaking.”
Notes to editors
About the Global Filmmaking Map
The map was created by risk experts at Aon/Albert G Ruben who measured global risks specific to filmmaking by compiling data from a variety of sources, including US Consular Affairs, Overseas Security Advisory Council, Diplomatic Security Services, CIA personnel and publications, US Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organisation and other public information. Input from Aon’s global kidnap and ransom, terrorism and political risk experts is also reflected in the map data.
The Risks in Global Filmmaking map takes a snapshot of the current global situation. However, because the global landscape is changing everyday, Aon/Albert G Ruben provides risk updates throughout the year. To register for updates, please visit www.aon.com/albertgruben.
The Risks in Global Filmmaking map measures the following:
-
Crime: including theft, robbery, street crime and assault.
-
Organised crime and corruption: reflecting the likelihood that business will be affected by bribery, extortion or threats from organised crime elements or government corruption.
-
Kidnap and ransom: identifying the kidnap and ransom risk participants in filmmaking may encounter.
-
Disease risk: reflecting the prevalence and need for vaccination for epidemic, communicable and/or tropical diseases.
-
Medical care: measuring the extent to which medical care is available and meets modern standards.
About Aon/Albert G Ruben
Aon/Albert G Ruben is the world’s leading provider of risk management solutions to the entertainment industry. It has placed insurance for 77 of the 100 films selected by the American Film Institute as the greatest movies ever made since 1960. It places insurance coverage for approximately 70% of film and television productions in the US. Albert G Ruben has insured: Lawrence of Arabia; The Godfather; Platoon; Raiders of the Lost Ark; Forrest Gump; Titanic; the Harry Potter series; and every Bond film ever made. Of Academy Award nominated films (2004) it insured: Million Dollar Baby; The Aviator; Hotel Rwanda; Closer; Finding Neverland; Spider Man 2; The Polar Express; The Passion of Christ; Kinsey; and Troy.
About Aon
Aon Corporation (www.aon.com) is a leading provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, human capital and management consulting, and specialty insurance underwriting. The company employs approximately 48,000 professionals in its 500 offices in more than 120 countries. Backed by broad resources, industry knowledge and technical expertise, Aon professionals help a wide range of clients develop effective risk management and workforce productivity solutions.
This press release contains certain statements related to future results, or states our intentions, beliefs and expectations or predictions for the future which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from either historical or anticipated results depending on a variety of factors. Potential factors that could impact results include: general economic conditions in different countries in which we do business around the world, changes in global equity and fixed income markets that could affect the return on invested assets, fluctuations in exchange and interest rates that could influence revenue and expense, rating agency actions that could affect our ability to borrow funds, funding of our various pension plans, changes in the competitive environment, changes in commercial property and casualty markets and commercial premium rates that could impact revenues, changes in revenues and earnings due to the elimination of contingent commissions, other uncertainties surrounding a new compensation model, the impact of regulatory investigations brought by state attorneys general and state insurance regulators related to our compensation arrangements with underwriters and related issues, the impact of class actions and individual lawsuits including derivative actions and claims under ERISA, the cost of resolution of other contingent liabilities and loss contingencies, and the difference in ultimate paid claims in our underwriting companies from actuarial estimates. Further information concerning the Company and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Aon Limited is authorized and regulated by the Financial Service Authority in respect of insurance mediation activities only.
Contact Info
