Budapest from the Sky!

Every now and again a video about Budapest takes social media by storm, getting reposted and tweeted across the digital landscape enough to merit a blog post of its own. The latest addition in this category comes from a promotional video for Quadcopter.hu, and appears to be a combination of footage taken from a camera mounted on a quad copter and computer-generated, or enhanced images (correct us if we are wrong here). No matter how it was achieved the birds-eye shots of Budapest are gorgeous, showing off the color of central Budapest (it starts at the Clark Adams Square circus) while also showcasing the city’s classic architecture. The short but comprehensive video gives the viewer a unique view of many of the city’s most prominent sites, including Castle Hill, the Budapest Zoo, Heroes’ Square, the Chain Bridge, Parliament, the National Theater, the Citadella, Liszt Ferenc Music Academy, and Gellért Square.

But have a look for yourself. It is a virtual helicopter tour of Budapest, and well worth the few minutes.

PPM Film Services is a Budapest-based film company offering an inspiring and creative work atmosphere for its host of clients from around the world. Since our inception, our focus has been providing the best of the best in terms of local production resources, locations, cast and technical teams to ensure that whatever the production we’re charged to create, we do it with no compromise. To sign up for the PPM Hungary newsletter, have a look here.

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Set for Praise: The Rock on Hercules

It’s one thing for us to tell you how great a place Budapest is as a location. But when you hear it unsolicited from one of the biggest stars on the planet, it means just a little bit more.

Dwayne Johnson, better known as “The Rock” of World Wide Wrestling, film and TV fame, has been spending quite some time in Hungary as of late. The star of films such as G.I Joe, The Scorpion King, and Fast and Furious 6, recently finished shooting director Bret Ratner’s take on the Hercules myth. Hercules: The Thracian Wars was shot in Budapest at the Origo Film Group lot using mostly local crews and talent. Lately, The Rock has been taking to social media in praise of the work done on the intricate sets needed to recreate ancient Greece.

via Dwayne Johnson/ Twitter

Of the recreated Athenian amphitheater Rock tweeted, “Amazing to walk on set today. Detail in design incredible.”

Of an earlier set he wrote, “The most amazing set I’ve ever stepped foot on. Honored to play this role.”

via Dwayne Johnson/ Instagram

Much of what The Rock is so impressed with is down to the hard work of Hungarian art director Bence Erdeyi and his crew of diligent, detail-minded craftsmen. Erdeyi’s star is rising with a spate of recent high-profile jobs on films like Die Hard V, Season of the Witch, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and the Robin Hood miniseries.

The Rock also passes the praise around to the crew: “6am. Just wrapped a long night of shooting. THANK U to our hard workin’ film crew. A pleasure droppin’ sweat w ya.”

Rock even gives a shout out to the extras: “THANK U my ‘Thracian soldiers’. Intensity & energy.”

via Themovieweb.com

But The Rock has been singing the praises of Budapest for a while now. Upon arrival here is what he tweeted: “A pleasure being in Budapest…Beautiful city & people. Months of training for the role. Lets shoot.. HERCULES.”

It is fair to say that The Rock is a generous guy with his praise and gratitude, and his Hungarian team gave him a lot to feel good about.

PPM Film Services is a Budapest-based film company offering an inspiring and creative work atmosphere for its host of clients from around the world. Since our inception, our focus has been providing the best of the best in terms of local production resources, locations, cast and technical teams to ensure that whatever the production we’re charged to create, we do it with no compromise. To sign up for the PPM Hungary newsletter, have a look here.

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Location Spotter: Ferenc Liszt Music Academy

You may know him by the more commonly used name Franz Liszt, but he was born Liszt Ferenc in Rajka, Hungary. Composer Liszt Ferenc is a celebrated figure in Budapest, having played a significant role in forming the city’s cultural identity. In central Pest one can find Liszt Ferenc Square, a row of well-touristed restaurants and cafes that border a quiet park. On a prominent corner of the square, you can also find the world-renown Liszt Ferenc Zeneművészeti Egyetem, or, the Franz Liszt Music Academy.

Founded in 1875, the location serves as both a conservatory and concert hall. Often overlooked in favor of the flashier Hungarian State Opera House, the smaller music academy has plenty to offer those looking for a visually stunning example of classical Central Europe. Keeping with the Hapsburg-era style, the exterior is one of the most striking examples of Art Nouveau in central Pest. The interiors are intricate and warm, decorated with frescoes and Zsolnay ceramics. Done in gilt and green, with statues of Béla Bartók and Frédéric Chopin, the main reception hall has a feeling of Moorish or Ottoman luxury. The building is home to two music halls, one large and one small, and throughout the daylight hours you can hear the music of the conservatory students and concert rehearsals trickle through the windows, making the building of the most charming spots in the city.

 Some interesting facts about the Liszt Ferenc Music Academy:

Due to a governmental exchange program with Japan, a number of Japanese musicians study at Liszt Ferenc.

It used to have stained glass windows by famed designer Miksa Róth, though these were destroyed.

Famous alumni include: Béla Bartók, Sir Gerog Solti, Zoltán Kodály, and Georges Cziffra.

The original Liszt Ferenc Academy wasn’t in the grand building, but in Liszt Ferenc’s own apartment.

Below find a video that captures some of the nice exterior details of the building, as well as the statue of Liszt Ferenc that sits on the square that bears his name.

PPM Film Services is a Budapest-based film company offering an inspiring and creative work atmosphere for its host of clients from around the world. Since our inception, our focus has been providing the best of the best in terms of local production resources, locations, cast and technical teams to ensure that whatever the production we’re charged to create, we do it with no compromise. To sign up for the PPM Hungary newsletter, have a look here.

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A Young Wine in an Old Year: Hungarian Újbor

Excuse us if we seem a little tipsy. It’s November which means that while it may be a difficult time for sunbathers, it is a great time for wine lovers. That’s because November is ‘new wine’ season, when vineyards release a limited amount of the year’s vintage. ‘Újbor’ in Hungarian, it is better known by its French name, Beaujolais nouveau. The product of early harvest red grapes (though to a lesser degree you will see whites and rosé) Hungarian újbor is usually light, fruity, and highly potable.

The celebrations of the new wine go hand in hand with St. Martin’s Day. As such, two of the reasons we think Hungary has become the second top tourist destination in the world converge in November: wine and festivals. Hungary is a country that celebrates all its culinary niches with festivals, and újbor is no different. How St. Martin himself became identified with the release of new wine is largely speculation. Some say it is due to his generous nature, while others maintain it is merely because he is from the town of Tours in France, the nation traditionally identified with a finicky wine culture.

St. Martin’s new wine festivals happen in the middle of the month, taking place across the country. In Budapest we have the Saint Martin’s Day Festival that unfolds over three days at the ever-glamorous Gellért Hotel. If you want a less ritzy venue, the Hungarian Museum of Agriculture in Budapest’s City Park also sponsors a November 9th St. Martin’s Day celebration, offering tastings of goose dishes as well as újbor, along with a program of folk crafts and dancing. Both venues have goose on the menu: in Hungary the bird is traditionally served with new vintage wines, as it is believed to bring good fortune for the coming year.

So don’t feel too bad as autumn transitions into winter – do as the Hungarians do and celebrate new beginnings and the great things to come.

About the author: For a manuscript critique, click through to Wordpill Manuscript Editing.

PPM Film Services is a Budapest-based film company offering an inspiring and creative work atmosphere for its host of clients from around the world. Since our inception, our focus has been providing the best of the best in terms of local production resources, locations, cast and technical teams to ensure that whatever the production we’re charged to create, we do it with no compromise. To sign up for the PPM Hungary newsletter, have a look here.

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