The Crown: A Royal Operation in the Chaos of Kolkata

  • Project: The Crown (Season 3 Promo)
  • Format: Global Brand Promo / Commercial
  • Client: Co-pilot Corp / Netflix (Los Angeles)
  • Role: Producer (India)
  • Locations: Kolkata, West Bengal.

Production Company in India

The Challenge: High Stakes, Low Footprint

When Netflix calls, the standards are non-negotiable. For the launch of The Crown Season 3, the brief was emotional and logistical: tell the real-life story of two sisters separated by 8,000 miles—one in New York, one in Kolkata—who reconnected over their shared love for the show.

The creative vision required a surprise reunion in Kolkata, followed by a red-carpet event in London. The logistical reality? Netflix wanted a "light footprint." They weren't flying in a massive unit. They were sending just two people: the Director and a Marketing Executive.

They needed a local partner who could provide the rest of the machine—camera, sound, light, logistics, and crowd control—in one of the most visually stunning but logistically dense cities on earth. They didn't need a "guide"; they needed a full production unit that spoke their language, technically and creatively.

The Solution: Plug-and-Play Production

Kolkata is not a backlot; it is a living, breathing entity that does not stop for film crews. To make this shoot viable for a skeleton travel crew, we had to ensure the infrastructure was bulletproof.

  • The "Invisible" Unit: We assembled a Western-standard local crew that could integrate seamlessly with the LA-based Director. We didn't just hire "hands"; we hired technicians who understood the specific visual grammar Netflix required.
  • Kolkata Logistics: Shooting a surprise reunion requires precision. If the crew gets stuck in traffic, the moment is gone. We managed the "unmanageable" Kolkata traffic with strategic scheduling and local fixers who knew which lanes to block and which to avoid.
  • Technical Compliance: We sourced specific camera and lighting packages locally to match the footage being shot simultaneously in New York and London, ensuring the editor in LA wouldn't have a color-grading nightmare.
  • The "Fixer" Shield: We handled all permits and bureaucracy in the background. The Director never saw a form; she just saw the shot.

The Outcome

The promo was a global hit, seamlessly blending footage from three continents. We proved that with the right local partner, a major studio can shoot high-end content in India without the expense of flying a massive unit halfway around the world. We provided the infrastructure; Netflix provided the vision.

What The Client Said

"Everyone seems very happy! THANK YOU AGAIN for all of the help. I MISS YOU GUYS! So much fun with all of you! Incredibly memorable."

— Rachel Neubeck, Producer/Director | Netflix

 

The full Netflix promo...

 

Services Provided

Need to shoot a high-end promo in India without the travel costs?

We act as your local unit. (https://goafilms.com/contact-goa-film-services/) and let's discuss how to keep your footprint small and your production value high.