Interview Michael Becker, Managing Director Media City Atelier Leipzig
When did Media City Atelier open its doors in Leipzig? How many staff members does MCA have, and what are their responsibilities?
Media City Leipzig (MCL) was opened on 2 May 2000. Since then, Media City Atelier GmbH (MCA) has been in charge of the atelier complexes (Studios 1, 2, 3, plus Mediengarten), the art-decor workshop, the units for lighting-, stage-, and camera-equipment, and the fund for props and costumes.
Where is Media City Leipzig located in the city?
The MCL is located south of downtown Leipzig, with ample opportunities for shopping and entertainment.
How many staff members are employed at Media City Atelier, and what are their responsibilities?
The MCA has 91 permanent staff members, in addition to 150 freelance employees. In Media City Leipzig there are 79 other companies that employ circa 700 workers. The MCA personnel is employed in the following departments: studio management, lighting, stage, decoration, and project coordination for about 1,300 productions annually in the sectors of television, cinema, and events. The personnel in the other companies can fulfill the responsibilities at MCL in any area of media production.
How do you view the future of MCA?
In 2002 the MCA developed from a regional facility to a national enterprise. Since December of 2002, it has also attracted international clients. MCA’s reputation for high quality and efficiency on productions indicate that it will soon become a »Big Player« in the field of film production.
How much studio space can you offer? Technical facilities? Professional services?
The studios of Media City Leipzig have sound stages of 10,000 square meters. The large Halle 7 has even 12,000 square meters with a ceiling height of 15 meters. The Zooparkstudio in Erfurt has a production space of 370 by 170 square meters. As for technical facilities, you can find these listed under www.mediacityleipzig.de and www.zooparkstudio.de on the Internet. Each studio location offers full service, including personnel and equipment. The capabilities in such related production areas as makeup, garderobe, offices can be expanded to fit the needs at hand. More than enough space is available.
Do you view Media City Atelier primarily as a film production studio? Or a TV studio? Or an all-purpose atelier that includes even galas, events, performances, exhibitions,?
Media City Atelier (MCA) is a full-service facility for TV, film, and events. Every kind of professional production can be realized in our studios. Only pornography, excessive violence, racism, and disrespect for human dignity have no business here! Currently, »Unser Ausland« (Our Foreign Country) is hosted here as a guest exhibition.
How is MCA connected to DREFA Media Holding? To Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR)? To Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM)? To other local, state, or government media organizations?
MCA is an enterprise of DREFA Media Holding and Bavaria Film. Media City Leipzig is an independent studio facility associated with MDR and MDM. Ownership belongs to the Leipziger Gewerbehofgesellschaft, the majority shareholder being the City of Leipzig. In this sense MCA is purely a tenant.
Does Media City Atelier have a homepage? If so, what kind of news do you offer?
MCA has its own homepage www.mca.de where all relevant information can be found in regard to services-rendered facilities and technical conditions, as well as the latest news bulletins. On the MCL homepage www.mediacityleipzig.de you can find information about the entire studio complex.
How is MCA different from other studio locations in Germany?
From the very beginning, our strategy was constructed around a so-called »four wall« principle. By that I mean: the client can receive from us all that he needs from the four walls to a completely equipped procedure to a wrapped production. No services will be added on as »extras« to the producers. Thus by offering an entirely new technical infrastructure Leipzig ranks as one of the most modern studio locations in Europe.
Thank you for the interview, and continued success at Media City Leipzig.
Editors