Lights, camera, action, insurance!

Despite the success of video distribution platforms, many movie fans still view movie theaters as the ideal place to see the major releases. Occasional viewers also leave home to enjoy some of their favorite movies on the big screen.

According to the latest report from the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the past few years have been very successful for European cinemas, thanks to internationally successful blockbuster films.

But we rarely stop to think about all the work behind these films, and the countless levers that need to be pulled to ensure everything goes smoothly, before you can enjoy the seventh art. 

Overall, movie tickets in Europe increased by 21.6%, approaching the one billion mark with 986 million visits throughout the region. Box offices reached the notable figure of 7.2 billion euros, with an impressive increase of 23.7% compared to the previous year.

With these truly promising numbers, the winners of the Oscars will be announced on the night of March 2nd to 3rd, marking the most prestigious event in the film industry—an occasion that inspires us, broadens our horizons, and allows us to dream… Who hasn't raised their arms like DiCaprio in Titanic, shouting, “I'm the king of the world!” or wished someone: “May the force be with you,” like Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. 

We're going to go “to infinity and beyond!” And since “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get,” as Forrest Gump —or better yet, his mother— once said, we'll tell you that in the audiovisual industry, there are countless things that can turn out differently than expected.

It doesn't matter whether it's a great production or a low-budget film, any shooting can face unexpected setbacks that can cause delays, financial losses and legal problems, damage to the equipment and wardrobe, interruptions due to weather phenomena, or accidents or illnesses affecting actors or the director. Even incidents following the film's debut, such as image rights issues or claims for damages or libel, etc., can ruin the project. In all these cases, insurance activity can be an ace up the sleeve to guarantee the success of a sector that has thousands of companies that employ hundreds of thousands of workers.

According to the MAPFRE Insurance Dictionary, published by Fundación MAPFRE, film insurance “is intended to compensate for damages arising from film production, such as personal accidents involving the director or lead actors, third-party liability for damages caused during filming, loss or deterioration of film negatives, damage to cinematographic equipment or accessories, and, in general, any incidents that may affect the successful completion of the film being produced.”

For this reason, this type of insurance is essential in the entertainment industry, not only in the case of feature films but also in short films, series, documentaries, music videos, and educational, corporate, and training videos, etc.

Being protected has its advantages. A setback on the film set can have a significant impact on the budget, and this coverage provides financial protection against material damages, theft or loss of equipment, production cancellations, and other unforeseen events, such as unexpected expenses arising from accidents, staff illnesses, adverse weather conditions, among others.

A significant guarantee in these insurance policies is third-party liability. There are many aspects related to possible claims in production, such as damage to third parties. In many cases, insurance coverage is also a legal requirement to obtain shooting and work permits in certain locations. Such policies also include the entire team of professionals who, to a greater or lesser extent, have a major impact on the final product.

Although fortunately, these incidents occur only occasionally and typically not all at once, we have come across a film—while searching the web—that is listed among the most accident-prone in the history of cinema: The Man Who Killed Don Quixote by famous director Terry Gilliam.

Filming was plagued by all kinds of accidents: weather-related issues such as floods, the illness of one of the lead actors, and even damage to audiovisual equipment, including cameras, lights, and vehicles. The director of 12 Monkeys and The Fisher King took no less than 29 years to complete this film, which was first conceived in 1989, highlighting the importance of film insurance in such cases.

Audiovisual production insurance protects against a wide range of risks and ensures the continuity of projects in the industry, safeguarding your passion for cinema.

Check the movie listings because there’s nothing more enjoyable than watching a great feature film from the comfort of a theater seat—especially with a delicious bucket of popcorn! It might just win an Oscar or another award.

RELATED ARTICLES: