Progressive Productions

Production Services in Hungary & Austria

Case Overview – Project headline and key visual

Houdini - TV Promo

History Channel

Thumbnail from the Houdini project that plays the promotion film when clicked, showing Adrien Brody in the main set.
Cover still from the TV promo film created for History Channel’s Houdini miniseries. This page is a case study of an on-location TV promo shoot in Budapest, featuring the promo film, location services and selection strategy, on-location filming challenges, camera setup decisions shaping the visual atmosphere, and a social media announcement.

Client Testimonial – Vice President of Production Quote

“Thanks for everything you guys are the best!!!”
Lara Wickes - Vice President of Production, bpg (Los Angeles)

Case Overview – Promo Film Scope

Two days after the Houdini photo shoot we even had the chance to help make the promo film for History Channel’s mini series, starring the Oscar-winning Adrien Brody.

Case Media – TV Promo Main Visual

A scene from the Houdini promotion project showing Adrien Brody in handcuffs on the main set beneath the glass ceiling.
After a photo shoot for History Channel’s Houdini, we worked on the promo for the miniseries

Location Services – Location Search & Selection Strategy

According to the channel’s original plans, the trailer was supposed to be shot in a studio, but they realized that Hungary offered such a wide range of exciting locations that it was worth taking this shoot outside of the studio. The location database of Progressive Productions played an important role in the project. Since there wasn’t a specific concept for the location, we presented several suitable options by giving them access to our extensive online database. Eventually, the absolutely unique and futuristic, Art Deco-style control room of Kelenföld Power Plant was chosen.

Case Media – On-Location Filming in Industrial Interior

Crew members preparing the set inside the old control room, with lighting equipment and a platform.
Progressive’s location database brought attention to the Art Deco Keleföld Power Plant as a perfect place to shoot

Production Challenge – Abandoned Location Risks & Solutions

As this is a decommissioned power plant, which hasn’t been renovated for a very long time, it had several dangerous areas, which made pre-production a real challenge. We even rented a huge machine to hoist the tons of equipment upstairs since there was only a very narrow staircase leading up to the room.

Case Media – TV Promo Film (Video)

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Case Highlight – Lens Choice & Visual Atmosphere

Besides the unique location, the anamorphic Hawk lenses that we rented from Germany also gave the video an unusual, mysterious atmosphere.

Case Media – Camera Setup for Anamorphic Look

A close-up of the camera setup on the Houdini promotion set, with the RED rig and monitors assembled in the control room.
Anamorphic Hawk lenses were rented from Germany to create the right atmosphere for the promo

Service Differentiation – Budapest Real Locations

But in the end, this project was very much about the great selection of Budapest’s locations that made it possible to take this shoot out of the studio and have this amazing and exciting video as a result.

Behind-the-scenes image gallery

Lighting equipment on a crane illuminating the exterior of the old power plant, with production vehicles parked in the basecamp below.
Crew members working on the Houdini promotion set inside the dimly lit control room, with a platform and strong backlight creating silhouettes.
Crew members adjusting the camera setup on the platform inside the control room while Adrien Brody stands in position for the Houdini promotion shoot.
Crew members testing the lighting setup inside the control room with a stand-in positioned on the platform.
A crew member adjusting lighting elements inside the control room, working with a glass tank and reflective panels to shape the light.
The crew working inside the old control room set, surrounded by vintage panels, lighting rigs, and camera equipment.
The crew setting up equipment inside the circular control room, with lighting rigs, scaffolding, and the central glass ceiling visible above.
A close-up of the camera setup on the Houdini promotion set, with the RED rig and monitors assembled in the control room.
A close-up of an on-set monitor displaying a shot from the Houdini promotion scene inside the control room.
The crew setting up equipment inside the circular control room, with lighting rigs, scaffolding, and the central glass ceiling visible above.
The courtyard beside the power plant filled with production trucks, generators, trailers, and equipment vehicles forming the basecamp area.
The door of Adrien Brody’s trailer on the Houdini promotion project’s basecamp.
Lighting equipment on a crane illuminating the exterior of the old power plant, with production vehicles parked in the basecamp below.
Crew members working on the Houdini promotion set inside the dimly lit control room, with a platform and strong backlight creating silhouettes.

Making of Houdini - Photo Gallery

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