ICELAND FAM TOUR
Story by Lori Balton, Photos by Doug Dresser, and Lori Balton
In May 2009, LMGA members Bill Bowling, Doug Dresser, Kokayi Ampah, Michael Burmeister, David Israel and Lori Balton were thrilled to be invited to Iceland to explore its many location and production opportunities. The trip was hosted by the Film in Iceland Agency, the City of Reykjavik, Icelandair Hotels and Eagle Air. Einar Tomasson of the Icelandic Film Commission and Hlynur Gudjonsson, the Trade Commissioner of the Consulate General of Iceland, gave us fantastic images and warm memories.
Iceland is only a five hour flight from New York, it is the closest European
point to North America. Iceland has 320,000 inhabitants, about half of whom live in the cosmopolitan capital city of Reykjavik. Our trip around the island country on Ring Road, gave us a new understanding of wide-open spaces.
Iceland has an incredible quality and quantity of light. From mid-May to mid- August, the sun sets for only three hours. Basically, it is light for 24 hours a day, with a mysterious, shimmering twilight.
Coupled with the magical light is an astonishing spectrum of scenery. We experienced an array of incredible landscapes; mossy moors dotted with bright blue ponds, smoking sulfur fumaroles, iceberg lagoons, active and dormant volcanoes, and looming water falls. We walked black sand beaches and huddled inside a lava tube during a sudden hail storm.
Europe’s largest glacier is in Iceland…we snowmobiled a small portion of it, witnessing its own local weather system. Shortly before our return flight, we soaked in the thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon.
Each location was remarkably accessible, with reasonable hotel and catering facilities within range. Icelandic production companies continue to grow in experience and skills. Iceland is offering a 20% rebate incentive and an expanding crew base of skilled film people.
 |
 |
| L to R: Hlynur Gudjonsson, Einar Tomasson, Michael Burmeister, Lori Balton (seated), Bill Bowling, David Israel, Kokayi Ampah, and a local production man. |
Einar Tomasson, Burmeister and Bowling with two local production people |
For more information: www.filminiceland.com
