Bangkok Podcast 55: Chris Lowenstein

Thailand is a country that offers foreign film productions
everything they need - amazing locations, skillful crew, talented
actors and more. With foreign film productions come big money and
jobs, so it's no wonder that the Thai government is pushing the
country as a movie industry hub, but if you want to film here -
who do you call? You call Chris Lowenstein, this week's guest.


As one of the owners of Living Films, Chris is the main man when
it comes to bringing in film productions - anything from small
commercials to long-running television series to full-scale
Hollywood blockbusters. His latest project is the mega Hollywood
blockbuster "The Hangover Part 2", and Chris's roles as the
film's line producer means he's in charge of everything that
happens here: catering, work visas, film permits, transportation,
hiring local crew. working with the cast and director to make
sure everything's going smoothly, and more.


Chris talks to us about the film industry in Thailand - what
they're doing right, what they could improve, and what it's like
working within a system that's notoriously fickle when it comes
to censorship. He also tells us a few stories from The Hangover
Part 2 such as how hard it was to shut down parts of Chinatown,
and how a boat they hired in California ended up getting lost on
a Chinese river.


Greg also tells us about a baby shower that he attended where he
was equal parts amused and horrified to find a piñata in the
shape of a pregnant mermaid.