Pablo Tourrenc and the Many Treasures Colombia Offers to Productions

After many years working in production in the United States, Pablo Tourrenc, VGBND's French-British executive producer for Latin America, has dropped his luggage in Bogota - Colombia where he’s been based for more than 10 years. He's produced countless projects of all sizes and nature, mostly commercials,  documentaries, TV programs, still photo shoots, short and feature films, and music videos.

“Over the last decade, I’ve witnessed the exponential blossoming of the Colombian film industry, on a global level with an ever-increasing attraction from intentional directors and producers. Personally and through VGBND, I’ve actively promoted Colombia as one of the top production service hotspots, and I’m pleased to witness positive responses from our foreign clients and partners.”

With his extensive experience in the industry and being established in a strategic location, between Central and South America, Pablo is covering most of Latin America, with the capacity of offering almost unlimited options and opportunities for any audio-visual project.

Q> Can you walk us through your journey in the film industry? How did you end up as an executive producer at VGBND?

Pablo> My professional journey in the film industry began in France, my birthplace, where I attended film school in the mid-2000s. I later continued my film studies in New York City, where I gained diverse experience across various sectors, including camera, grip and electric, sound, art department, and locations. I eventually gravitated towards production services, particularly for European productions filming in the United States.

After accumulating five years of valuable experience in the US, I sought a new challenge and decided to contribute to the burgeoning production service hub in Colombia in 2012.

A few months after establishing myself in Colombia, Lorenzo Benedick, VGBND's managing partner, reached out to me. He was looking to expand the company's operations into Colombia. We quickly recognised our mutual compatibility and decided to collaborate.

VGBND's extensive experience in Latin America, combined with my North American and European expertise, made it natural to continue developing VGBND in this vibrant country and enhance its comprehensive production service offerings.

Q> What do you believe sets Vagabond Films apart in the competitive world of production services?

Pablo> Two distinct factors contribute to VGBND's exceptional reputation:

Our extensive professional and cultural experience in Latin America, coupled with a profound understanding of the stringent expectations set by our international clients.

Our unwavering commitment to providing personalised attention to every project. The same executive project manager oversees the entire process, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and personal involvement throughout each stage.

Q> Colombia has been gaining recognition as a filming destination. What makes it particularly special for international productions?

Pablo> First and foremost, Colombia is a large and populous country. It has always been one of the prominent film and TV producing countries in Latin America, alongside Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.

However, unlike its neighbours, Colombia was unable to share its production capability with the rest of the world for many years due to political instability, despite having a strong Film & TV industry nationally and regionally.

With the peace agreements ratified and significant improvements in the country's stability over the last 15 years, the Colombian film industry has blossomed exponentially. It has leveraged its solid experience and infrastructure while meeting international market expectations.

Colombia has become one of the leading countries in Latin America for foreign productions across films, commercials, and TV.

Moreover, beyond its high international production standards, Colombia offers a great variety of natural ecosystems, locations, and urban areas, as well as diverse talented casting options, providing some of the best production value for money in the Americas.

Q> How has the landscape of production services evolved since you started in the industry, particularly in emerging markets like Colombia?

Pablo> In just a few years, Colombia has fully adapted to international industry standards, especially regarding equipment and crew. The country consistently renews and adjusts to the latest technologies while adapting work practices to meet international standards.

Colombia and its people have always demonstrated impressive resilience, strong adaptability, and admirable work ethics, which, in my opinion, enabled such an efficient transition to becoming one of the top service countries.

Q> What unique capabilities does Colombia offer in terms of locations, crew talent, and infrastructure that might surprise international producers?

Pablo> While Colombia might be most recognised for its lush tropical landscapes and bustling cities, one of its best production assets is stage production and set builds at very competitive costs.

In recent years, having quality stage builds as an option has allowed our clients to go the extra mile with their projects, seamlessly combining locations and set builds while reducing travel times without breaking the bank.

Beyond the production excellence and economic advantages, shooting in Colombia is an exciting and truly enjoyable experience for anyone willing to look past the stigmas of the past.

Q> Sustainability in film production is a growing concern. How is VGBND addressing this, especially considering Colombia's diverse ecosystems?

Pablo> Colombia is the first South American country to take sustainability seriously. Green Stage, a company that has been working with VGBND Colombia for many years, is among the very first Latin American sustainability vendors licensed by Green The Bid.

VGBND has been a regional pioneer in sustainable production, coinciding with the emergence of global sustainability concerns. For years, VGBND has been implementing best practices in production while promoting and educating crews, collaborators, and providers on the importance of sustainability.

The same commitment extends to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Q> Looking ahead, what trends do you see shaping the future of production services, and how is VGBND preparing for these changes?

Pablo> I believe that the Colombian film industry has now received enough recognition to no longer be considered the "newbie in the game."

Mostly positive feedback, publicity, and word of mouth have contributed to elevating Colombia to the top of the list for service destinations.

Undoubtedly, this trend will continue to grow.

Q> For producers considering Colombia for their next project, what advice would you give them to make the most of what the country has to offer?

Pablo> The main advice I would give to producers considering shooting in Colombia is to avoid being influenced by negative stereotypes about the country and its history.

Colombia has so many treasures to offer. Great surprises are guaranteed.

The only risk is wanting to come back again and again!