Progressive Productions

Production Services in Hungary & Austria

Case Overview – Project headline and key visual

Royal Pains - Lawson Translation

NBCUniversal / USA Network

Thumbnail from the Royal Pains project that plays a scene from the Budapest-shot episode when clicked, showing the lead character assisting an ill man on a cobblestone street.
Cover still from the Royal Pains episode “Lawson Translation,” shot in Budapest. This page is a case study of the Budapest shoot for the series episode, featuring episode scenes, location decision insights, behind-the-scenes media, a client testimonial, promotional and recap videos, and social media highlights.

Client Testimonial – Executive Producer Quote on Returning Collaboration

“We first hired Progressive Productions in Budapest to produce a large shoot for "Covert Affairs" with us. (...) When several months later we needed to shoot scenes for the show "Royal Pains" we once again contracted Progressive and they worked with us to film several complex sequences with the actors and directors who travelled from New York to Budapest. (...) I would highly recommend them: they were professional, dedicated and well liked by our American crew, and the shoots both went  smoothly. ”
Rajeev Dassani - International Producer, Master Key Productions (Los Angeles)

Case Overview – Project Story & Returning Client

A few months after shooting the Covert Affairs episodes, we were lucky enough to get the chance to produce an episode of another great TV show: Royal Pains. The story behind this shoot is something we are quite proud of.

Case Media – Episode Scene in Budapest Setting

A scene from an episode of the Royal Pains series shot in Budapest with the lead character and a suited companion walking across the Basilica Square.
Mark Feuerstein with Campbell Scott in action walking through the square of St. Stephen’s Basilica

Location Services – Location Matching to Script

The episode was set to be shot in Prague for months before Budapest came into the picture. There was a very complex scene which included a gorgeous terrace that overlooked a downtown city street, which Prague couldn’t provide. We thought that the terrace of the State Opera House would be perfect, and fortunately the team of Royal Pains agreed.

Case Media – Terrace Scene

A scene from an episode of the Royal Pains series shot in Budapest showing the lead character and a suited companion standing at a stone balustrade.
The episode was to be shot in Prague, but an important scene was set on a large terrace overlooking a downtown street, and Budapest could deliver what Prague couldn’t

Case Media – Terrace Location Setup

A terrace at the Budapest opera building prepared with outdoor furniture, pastries and a champagne bucket for an episode of the Royal Pains series shot in Budapest.
The balcony of the Budapest State Opera House proved to be the location that the script called for

Case Media – Behind-the-Scenes Terrace Setup

Set decorators arranging plants and positioning outdoor furniture on the opera terrace for an episode of the Royal Pains series shot in Budapest.
Because of the flexibility of locations in this city, the shoot was set up in a matter of days, and the script was rewritten so the episode would actually be set in Budapest

Location Case Study – Budapest Playing Itself

What makes us even prouder is that the script was rewritten for Budapest, so it doesn’t double for another city; instead, it plays its gorgeous self.

Case Media – Episode Promo (YouTube)

RoyalPainsonUSA

RoyalPainsonUSAOpen on YouTube

Case Highlight – Script-Level Impact Through Flexibility

It was quite amazing to experience how a production service company can effect the higher-level processes of a production, in this case the script. This story proves that flexibility in this industry is crucial.

Case Media – Season Recap Performance Video (Video)

ProgressiveProductions

Case Highlight – Speed and Flexibility Advantage

The thing that couldn’t be accomplished in Prague after months of trying, could be done in Budapest in just a few days. This country and Progressive Productions can be unbelievably quick and flexible when it comes to organizing productions.

Behind-the-scenes image gallery

The lead actor and two supporting cast members holding bowls of goulash between takes during the Budapest-shot episode of the Royal Pains.
Crew members conferring on a cobblestone street between setups for an episode of the Royal Pains series shot in Budapest.
Crew members gathered around a street-side video setup reviewing footage for an episode of the Royal Pains series shot in Budapest.
Production vehicles, equipment and crew gathered along the streets beside the Budapest opera building for an episode of the Royal Pains series shot in Budapest.
Camera crew adjusting multiple mounted cinema cameras on tripods for an episode of the Royal Pains series shot in Budapest.
A special effects artist preparing a prosthetic body suit and makeup materials on the pavement for an episode of the Royal Pains series shot in Budapest.
Camera crew filming the street medical setup for an episode of the Royal Pains series shot in Budapest, with the lead actor performing aid on a man lying on the cobblestones.
Crew members on set during the filming of the Budapest-shot episode of the Royal Pains.
Crew preparing the balcony chess scene with cameras, props and seating for the Budapest-shot episode of the Royal Pains series.
A crew member watching the street scene setup through a camera while seated in an upper-floor window during the Budapest-shot episode of the Royal Pains.
Crew adjusting a camera mounted high on a ladder in front of a historic stone building for the Budapest-shot episode of the Royal Pains.
Crew laying camera track on a stone terrace overlooking the city, with actors and staff preparing nearby for the Budapest-shot episode of the Royal Pains.
Crew and actors preparing a scene on the Liberty Bridge for the Budapest-shot episode of the Royal Pains.
The lead actor and two supporting cast members holding bowls of goulash between takes during the Budapest-shot episode of the Royal Pains.
Crew members conferring on a cobblestone street between setups for an episode of the Royal Pains series shot in Budapest.

Making of Royal Pains - Photo Gallery

Call to Action – Get in Touch

Talk to us about your project. We look forward to working with you!
Send us an e-mail at

A Division of Progressive Productions