Ask before pulling productions from Ukraine neighbours, says PSN

There is no undoing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But the commercial film community is well-positioned to fortify neighbouring Central and East European countries by continuing to work in the region.

As their citizens open the doors to Ukrainian refugees, offering safe harbour under the protection of NATO, Central and East European production service companies are incorporating Ukraine’s professionals to execute shoots displaced by the war. The work they do together depends largely on the solidarity of western brands and agencies. To keep working in countries neighbouring Ukraine is to demonstrate confidence in the face of Russian aggression.

Production Service Network has surveyed their Partners across the region to counter sensationalism and propaganda with an informed perspective. To share the ground truth that can only be told from the production trenches. To enable production houses, agencies, and brands to make informed decisions that can help our industry stand tall against tyranny. 

Poland

• The first hours and days brought a similar feeling of the unknown that we experienced in the early days of the COVID pandemic.
• We're working double-time as we jump between bidding on projects and volunteer work. But we wouldn’t try to acquire projects if it were unsafe for them and us. We’re responsible partners, especially in the most challenging of times. 
• The shift in mentality is essential if our business is to avoid becoming collateral damage. We can only help Ukranians with work if our clients continue to bring it.  It’s not going to be a short period of conflict, the situation won’t resolve in a matter of days or weeks (unfortunately!). We all need to help the displaced to sustain themselves and focus on something other than the war.
• We’ve been crossed off the list as a potential shooting destination. Poland as a country should not be a victim of the fear and disinformation that unfortunately is being spread globally from one source.
• We have worked for a UK-based advertising agency and a global client utilising the remote shoot workflow used so widely during the pandemic. This tool is quite handy for clients that cannot overcome an understandable fear of traveling to our region. In a way, Covid prepared us for continued work in these tragic times.

Lithuania  

• If anything, the Russian Invasion of Ukraine only served to increase security in the Baltic states.
• Our company is donating money as well as warehouse items which we used to store as props for our shoots. We've launched an open invitation to every industry professional who is seeking job opportunities as well as help with accommodation / transport to Lithuania or else. 
• At peak times we have even faced a shortage of industry labor. The demand for our specialists abroad has continued despite rapid expansion at home. Ukrainians are great experts in the arena, known all around the world for their highly experienced and efficient teams. We welcome them. 
• We are still pitching successfully and we are very thankful to our long term partners who are still trying to bring their projects here to the Baltics.