by JJ Levine/LMGI
In May 2024, Palma Pictures and the Mallorca Film Commission hosted a five-day tour of the island of Mallorca, Spain, attended by LMGI members William Doyle, Doug Dresser, Julie Hannum, Sam Hutchins, Jennifer Lyne and JJ Levine. Host to a multitude of international films and TV productions, including The Crown, Hustle, Lioness, Sexy Beast and The Night Manager, the island captivated the experienced team of location professionals with its diverse blend of modern and historical locations and breathtaking terrain.
“We crisscrossed the island, moving from one extraordinary location to the next, all the while keeping up a constant stream of conversation about how this little village and curvy mountain road would be great for a Bond-style car chase, or that historic castle would be perfect for a period television series,” said LM Jennifer Lyne.
Guided by Palma Pictures Head of Locations/SLM Eduardo Rodrigalvarez/LMGI and location assistant Jaime Cibrian, Fam Tour attendees visited more than 30 locations, including Port de Soller Coast and the stunning cove of Sa Calobra and Torrent de Pareis, by boat. “It was fascinating to see the coast and the geology of the cliffs from the water, and swimming in the Balearic Sea was one of the highlights of the trip,” noted Doug Dresser. This was Dresser’s first trip to Mallorca, as it was for most of the scouts and managers, and he was impressed by the island’s robust infrastructure to support film and television projects.
The group also scouted a number of exceptional private residences and estates, such as the limestone manse of Son Vich de Superma, with its vineyards and romantic gardens, as well as the villas of La Fortaleza and Sa Torre Cega. La Fortaleza, perched above the Bay of Pollensa, boasts a rich history—it was built in the 1600s as a fort to defend against pirates, converted into a residence in the 1920s, used by the air force during the Spanish Civil War, and restored to a private residence in the late 1930s. It was a principal location for the BBC’s popular series The Night Manager and considered one of Spain’s most expensive homes, akin to a small village with its many structures. A special treat awaited the team here—midafternoon cinnamon rolls acclaimed by the group as the best on the planet.
Sa Torre Cega, which also boasts military origins, is widely known for its strikingly landscaped gardens. The property features two swimming pools, an impressive array of sculptures and an interior marked by whimsical trompe l’oeil murals. Smaller but equally notable was the cozy and secluded beachfront cottage in Cala Agulla, featured in the 2014 Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond miniseries detailing the military career of James Bond creator Ian Fleming.
Each location visit provided a unique experience, from encountering wild goats and throngs of bicyclists on the scenic winding mountain highways leading to the Formentor Lighthouse, to walking through small, historic villages like Fornalutx (often referred to as the ‘prettiest village in Spain’), Santanyi and Valldemossa, home to famous writers and artists such as the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío and Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges.
Mallorca encompasses 1,405 square miles (640 square kilometers), so water was never far away, whether at Gorg Blau or Cuber Lake, or the sailboat- and yacht-filled basins of Port Soller, Portocolom and Alcudia, or the beaches of Torrent de Pareis, Playa de Muro or S’Arenal Son Serra de Marina. The Port of Soller enthralled everyone with its picturesque, sophisticated waterfront walkway and beachfront restaurants. William Doyle called it “beautiful and compact,” and admired the “quaintness of the street car that drove along the waterfront.” Doyle was also impressed with the classic Spanish- Mediterranean architecture, the plaza and the great layout of the town of Santanyi.
Palma, Mallorca’s capital, presented a seamless blend of the historical and the modern. Beginning with the Old Palau March/Cathedral area and the Castillo de Bellver, the group walked the length and breadth of the city, encompassing old and new; from Santa Eulalia to Plaza Mayor, Rambla Jaime III/Born, to the seafood market at Mercat Santa Catalina, Plaza Drassana, La Lonja to Plaza Sant Francesc/Quadrado, the Mercat L’Olivar. All marveled at the Pueblo Español, a meticulously crafted replica of a medieval-walled city, showcasing an intentionally assorted range of architectural styles from Spanish history, including Arabic, Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance. The open-air museum spanning more than 24,000m includes 18 blocks of buildings, 15 streets and 12 squares, all constructed to scale using materials sourced from their respective regions. The tour of Palma concluded with a visit to the modern Palma Pictures offices and studio, and a stop at the Plaza de Toros de Palma bullring known for its impressive neo-Mudejar architecture, now used as a venue for events, concerts and filming.
Despite long and action-packed days, the scout group went home energized and enthusiastic about filming in Mallorca. Palma Pictures Head of Locations/SLM Rodrigalvarez was thrilled with their response, noting, “We organized this event to introduce top U.S. location managers to the remarkable settings Mallorca offers, from urban landscapes to its natural beauty. We wanted to showcase the island as an ideal filming destination for any scale of production, and we did just that.” On a more personal note, Rodrigalvarez added, “Watching the U.S. scouts experience these locations for the first time made me see the island with fresh eyes, reminding me just how magical and adaptable it can be on screen.”
Pedro Barbadillo, Director of the Mallorca Film Commission, echoed this enthusiasm. “What better way could there be to show off our Island than to have the scouts and managers see it firsthand. I’m delighted they liked so many of the locations and look forward to working with them on upcoming projects.” At the Mallorca Film Commission, we are always happy to welcome other location professionals to visit and to participate on upcoming Fam Tours.”
Mallorca, as part of the Spanish Film Commission, offers various incentives for foreign productions. For more information, visit the Mallorca Film Commission website and https://www.palmapictures.es/home/#showreel