GT Academy TV show to hold race camp in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - The crew will film in October this year in various locations throughout the emirate, including Yas Marina Circuit, Qsar Al Sarab, Nation Towers and Yas Waterworld.

Twofour54 and Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC) announced on Sunday the arrival in the capital of the international award-winning GT Academy TV show.
The reality TV show will hold its week-long race camp in Abu Dhabi, filming in October this year in various locations throughout the emirate, including Yas Marina Circuit, Qsar Al Sarab, Nation Towers and Yas Waterworld.
GT Academy will be provided with on-the-ground support and production services by twofour54 and will avail ADFC's 30 percent rebate, which applies to production spend in Abu Dhabi.
"GT Academy is a great addition to our portfolio of projects. Abu Dhabi is developing a far-reaching reputation as an international filming destination which in turn reflects positively on our economy," said Noura Al Kaabi, CEO of Media Zone Authority, which comprises both twofour54 and ADFC.
GT Academy has evolved as the world's largest driving talent search, in which the fastest players on PlayStation's Gran Turismo game are put in a real-life training camp to fight it out for the opportunity to become a professional racing driver for Nissan.
Earlier this year, GT Academy has run an online competition for people wishing to join the race camp in Abu Dhabi. From six million GT Academy entrants to date, only 21 have won the competition. The show was the second most watched motorsport show across Europe in 2014 and was broadcasted in 120 countries worldwide.
"With a global TV audience of 78 million in 2014, GT Academy's viewers are in for an unparalleled sports experience thanks to the thrill and excitement the iconic Yas Marina F1 circuit offers," pointed out Paul Baker, executive director for Film and TV services at twofour54.
As with previous twofour54 film projects, Emirati interns will be allowed on the set as volunteers to learn some tricks of the trade from professionals, thus increasing the talent pool for future national film industry.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com