Production Paradise

Production Paradise proudly presents the first issue of Showcase Istanbul to coincide with the launch of our new Istanbul directory, brought to you by Production Paradise.

Upcoming events in Turkey's cultural capital and most populous city include:

• The 14th International Istanbul Jazz Festival, 3 - 18 July, with 40 concerts at various venues
• International Istanbul Fashion Festival, 23 - 25 August
• CNR Expo - the second-largest supplier of clothing to the EU - hosts its international fashion festival twice a year, showcasing trends for the coming season.

ist photography/photographers: NIHAT ODABASI

Nihat Odabasi started as a professional photographer in 1999.

Although based in Istanbul, he has travelled extensively to shoot for multinational magazines and campaigns.

Since starting his career he has photographed most Turkish celebrities as well as top international models including Linda Evangelista, Heidi Klum and Elizabeth Hurley.

In 2005 he was awarded the Best Photographer of the Year by Procter and Gamble.

ist photography/photo agents: STUDIO PLUS

Studioplus represents three in-house photographers as well as producing and publicising everything that other photographers would need in commercial productions, such as renting the two studios and photographic equipment (including lighting, manual and digital cameras). The studio also provides digital retouching to other photographers if needed.

Lara Sayilgan recently shot Keira Chaplin as a cover story for Harper's Bazaar; album covers for artists IZEL and Demet Akalin; the winter campaign for Adil Isik and preparing the Kip campaign in which she will work with a top model Andrew Cooper. She is also planning on shooting some music videos but the names for now are under wraps.

Emre Unal has recently shot one of Turkey's top models Ece Sukan and Guzide Duran as a cover story for Madame Figaro. She shot a summer campaign for Harvey Nichols and winter campaign for Mudo. She is now getting ready to shoot a story for Marie Claire in Bodrum.

Ozan Kiymaç has been working with female artists such as Emel Muftuoglu for her latest album, actress Ozge Ozberk as cover story for Super, Berrak Tuzunatac, a cover story for Seventeen. He is currently working on a project with DJ Onur Ozer(vakant) for Groove Magazine.

ist photography/photographers: AHMET AGAOGLU

Ahmet Agaoglu has been working as a food and drinks photographer for over 15 years starting in London and now based in Istanbul.

He has a beautiful, fully equipped studio in the heart of Cihangir, with kitchen and many props.

He began shooting food in a more traditional way and has now started experimenting and manipulating his images digitally.

Ahmet's clients over the years include Coca-Cola, Nestle, Lipton, Bacardi, McDonalds, Burger King, Popeye's and Knorr... 

He has won several awards in the commercial industry.

Artistically, he has participated in many exhibitions and tells us he loves to work on cookbooks.

ist production/commercial production: KORNEA FILM PHOTOGRAPHY PRODUCTIONS

Kornea is a complete production and motion design company, providing clients with creative solutions through a vast array of elements - from TV commercials and documentaries to photography and music video production... from motion graphic arts to 2D-3D special effects.

The team consists of experienced directors, DOPs, designers and photographers (www.devrinusta.com) who have completed projects for Pepsi, Bosch, Sony Music/France, Frito Lay’s, Turkcell, Fredrika Stahl, The Cranberries, Cake with RPM Radar, BBDO, Ogilvy and Pars McCann.

The company provides a brief-to-completion service taking projects from initial discussions through project development and production to final delivery in-house, 'retaining the flexibility of a customer-focused boutique production and creative design company'.

ist production/tv/ video production: CASE PRODUCTIONS

Case Productions is a full service company including production coordination, location scouting, casting, budget management, travel and transportation.

Its aim is to have competitive prices showing its clients its know-how with over 10 years of experience acquired in this field. Recently, they have been busy working on multiple yacht productions such as Cigarette Yachts US, Pearl Yachts UK and Numarine of Turkey who are due to launch the 102-foot super yacht in early July.

Case has a wide range of international and local clients including Bosch, Emirates Airlines, Deloitte, Coca-Cola and Dia to name but a few.

Also specialists in sports production, the firm will be looking forward to covering the World Windsurf Championships in southern Turkey in mid-August.

ist production/photo production: DIJIPOST

Dijipost tell us the most important aspects of its business is 'creating beautiful images and building relationships'.

Its work has been built on a passion for excellence and dedication to clients needs, embracing all types of projects from high profile international campaigns to individual photographers.

Clients include Altivi, BBM, Finansbank, Garanti Jazz Festival, Hyundai, Sarar, TooHot Swimwear and Park Hyatt.

For Dijipost, 'every project is unique and must produce beautiful results that clearly promote brand identity'.

ist film/film post production: 1000 VOLT POST PRODUCTION

Istanbul based postproduction company 1000 Volt provides Grass Valley’s SPIRIT 2K Tele cine with Pandora colour grading, 4:4:4 film scanning, visual effects, 3-D/2-D animation, editing, sound and duplication services.

To meet clients' needs, 1000 volt recently opened its brand new design studio 1000 Volt Design. The studio team focuses on solving clients' visual and conceptual problems with creative direction. They work on a range of projects including art direction, design and illustration for both public and private; music industry, arts and culture, fashion and advertising clients

Clients and projects vary from high-end commercials, music videos to feature films, with its client list including ad agencies Alice BBDO, Alameti Farika, Grey World Wide, Klan Euro Rscg, Man Ajans as well as all the major film production companies based in Istanbul.

Projects include Benetton, Coca-Cola, Beko, Doritos, Fiat, Ford, Gillette, Gusta Beer, Hyundai, Ikea, Knorr, Locca Vodka, Molfix, Mtv, Nokia, Papia, Panda Ice cream, Powerade, Ruffles, Star TV, Toshiba, Turk Telecom, Turkcell, Turkiyr Finans, Vodafone, Yeni Raki and Yurtici Cargo…

ist talent/model agencies: GAYE SOKMEN

Gaye Sokmen Models is considered the pioneer in the modelling industry of Istanbul.

Founded in 1991 by Sait and Gaye Sokmen is now one of the most reputable agencies in Turkey representing top model such as Arzum Onan, Maide Ercelebi, Yasemin Baradan, Julide Ates, Eysan Ozhim, Ozlem Kaymaz, Sebnem Donmez, Demet Sener, Sinem Guven, Janset, Duygu Dikmenoglu, Azra Akin, Selin Toktay, Cansu Dere, Gamze Ozcelik, Tugce Kazaz and Kivanc Tatlitug.

The main mission of Gaye Sokmen is to have a positive overview at an international level of the quality of fashion and advertising models.

The agency also supports actors and actresses for film and TV as well as all preliminary activities for beauty, model contests and fashion shows prepped by Sait Sokmen.

ist hotel/hotels: THE SOFA HOTEL

The newest addition to hip hotels around the globe is Istanbul’s ultra sleek The Sofa Hotel, located in the city’s chic Nisantasi district.

This hotel takes pride in offering a highly personalised service to each individual guest. It has 17 executive suites which are also available for medium and long-term stay.

In addition to the 24-hour gourmet in-room dining options, guests can also dine in the already famous TuuS Restaurant or at the elegant Cafe Sofa, both located on the first floor. Patika Bookstore in Cafe Sofa provides a library and rare-book store for guests. There is a TayLife Detox & Wellness Center, featuring a fitness centre and a full-size spa.