Germany's largest film studio (Potsdam) — 750 hectares, multiple soundstages, backlot, post-production. Founded 1912; home to major features, TV, and commercials.
Anyone planning a medium to large-scale production in Germany cannot overlook Babelsberg — and this is no accident, but the result of over a hundred years of continuous infrastructure development. The studio in Potsdam is not just a collection of soundstages, but a largely self-sufficient production ecosystem. 750 hectares offer everything you need: twelve modern soundstages (some in the 5000-square-meter range), backlots with recreated city districts, water tanks for water effects, in-house workshops for set construction, and — crucially — integrated post-production departments with color grading suites and editing rooms. This means you hardly leave the premises during the entire production.
The practical advantage lies in continuity: you have constant access to experienced gaffers, lighting technicians, and grip teams who know the lot and its technical specifics inside and out. This saves ramp-up time. The studios are equipped with modern lighting inventory — LED systems, traditional tungsten, everything is available. The backlot allows for elaborate location scouting without long travel times; often you can realize your sets within the studio, which reduces mobilization costs and makes shooting days more efficient.
Historically, Babelsberg (founded in 1912) was the production site for silent film classics of German film history, later the center of DEFA production, and after reunification, a hub for Western and European blockbuster productions. This history has solidified in its technical culture — there is an understanding of large-scale production logistics that cannot be quickly replaced.
For smaller productions, Babelsberg might seem expensive, but the overall calculation usually takes into account the efficiency gains. Many productions share stages, which increases utilization and lowers rental costs. The lot also functions as a training ground — film technicians and craftspeople work there and expand their expertise, which generally elevates the quality of the local crew base. Anyone wanting to shoot on a large scale in Germany includes Babelsberg in their calculations — not out of tradition, but out of practical necessity.