The writer and director of a hit Czech series tell Robert Shepherd about their approach to portraying real-life Pakistani kidnappings on the small screen, while also discussing their use of natural light on a biblical location
By Contributor
Published: April 25, 2024 Updated: April 26, 2024
The writer and director of a hit Czech series tell Robert Shepherd about their approach to portraying real-life Pakistani kidnappings on the small screen, while also discussing their use of natural light on a biblical location
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin> The writer and director of a hit Czech series tell Robert Shepherd about their approach to portraying real-life Pakistani kidnappings on the small screen, while also discussing their use of natural light on a biblical location
https://www.tvbeurope.com/production-post/czech-mates title=Share via Email class=share-email>
Czechian journalist Jaroslav Kmenta is renowned as his country's finest investigative journalist, having uncovered various significant events and scandals throughout his career. Notable investigations include exposing corruption in politics and business, dismantling organised crime networks, revealing financial frauds, and shedding light on historical controversies. When writer Jan Stehl k drew inspiration from Kmenta's work, it signalled the birth of Extrakto i (Extractors), a six-part espionage thriller series created by Lenka Szanto and Adam Dvorak, and produced by Voyo Origin l.
The show pays homage to Czech spies and their behind-the-scenes work, skilfully intertwining this narrative with a glimpse into the shadowy realm of international crime. Extractors celebrates the bravery and determination of spies on the front lines while serving as a poignant reminder of the often-overlooked hazards faced by journalists in their quest for truth. The series emerges as a captivating tribute to the vital role of journalism in society.
He's a well-respected investigative reporter with a vision for the screen, says Stehl k. Together, we focus on stories that could involve intelligence units. We started with the 2013 kidnapping of two girls. Extensive research informs the narrative, aiming for a gripping, authentic tale inspired by real events.
Director Roman Ka parovsk embraced the premise from the start but recognised the need for creativity, given the sensitive nature of the subject matter. We couldn't use real names or make the actual victims even remotely identifiable because it would put them in a lot of danger, if they aren't already, he explained. Instead, we used it as a stimulus, adding Czech intelligence units in place of Pakistani ones.
Ka parovsk explains that they didn't draw inspiration from big Hollywood films like Mission Impossible and went for authenticity instead. We didn't have Tom Cruise or millions of dollars, he adds. Instead, we got access to real spies and asked them how they do it because then you're watching something which is not all action. But at the same time, it is interesting because you know you're watching something what happens in reality, and that's what we went for. Eventually, we tried to make those situations as real as possible, which actually kind of makes it real eventually. Of course, the situation of the girls staying in the heart all the time, being basically locked up from the rest of the world, is very real. We talked to some people who were somehow incarcerated, and we talked to people who try to get them out or figure out how they do it.
And there was light Despite the inspiration being events in Pakistan, given the hazards associated with filming in Pakistan, the team had to consider alternatives. We could have utilised old streets and abandoned buildings in the Czech Republic. However, once in the woods, the stark difference in terrain from Pakistan becomes apparent, explains Kasparovsk . The landscapes of North Moravia or North Bohemia don't resemble those of Pakistan or Afghanistan. CGI or green screens would be necessary, which we wanted to avoid.
In the end, they selected a location that wasn't too dissimilar and settled on eastern Turkey, specifically A r Da , more commonly known as Mount Ararat, where legend has it, Noah's Ark came to rest.
We had to shoot in harsh conditions, so we condensed the crew to around 20 people, Ka parovsk says. With a smaller crew, we couldn't bring truckloads of lighting equipment, so we opted for a compact setup. We used the Sony Venice 5K, the latest version in 2022, primarily with primes for interior shots and static aesthetics. For movement, we relied on the DJI Ronin 6k with gyroscope, a camera combined with a gyroscope for flexibility. While the picture quality of the Ronin wasn't as great as the Sony Venice, its mobility suited our needs. The Sony Venice offered exceptional picture quality, akin to creating a canvas, allowing us to capture intricate details. In contrast, the Ronin facilitated dynamic camera movements. Both cameras provided sufficient resolution, with the option to enhance details during post-production.
Despite having fewer people than he was used to working with, Kasparovsk says it's simple that way. Managing a large team and all the logistics can be complicated, he adds. With a smaller setup, everyone is accountable for their tasks, making it easier to address any issues that arise.
The DOP on the series is Vladim r Smutn and he visited the locations with Ka parovsk to assess the natural lighting and plan the shots accordingly. He gives an example of how conversations went: Could you bring the lights over there? Oh, wait, let's wait for the sun.' You see? It was more about working in harmony with nature. Being 2000 metres above sea level, the journey back to the
Most recent headlines
09/11/2025
Dalet today announced a transformative leap forward for media operations: Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) that unifies the Dalet ecosystem under one natura...
16/10/2025
VAMPIRE has been integrated onto GM Defenses Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), providing a mobile solution to effectively and affordably counter small drone threat...
16/10/2025
The AgilePod mounted on the host aircraft....
16/10/2025
60% say infotainment systems are a critical purchasing or leasing consideration,...
16/10/2025
NEW YORK The Broadcasters Foundation of America has launched its 2025 Year-End Giving Campaign, which seeks to raise donations from tax-deductible personal and ...
16/10/2025
Roku has added several new features to its user interface and operating system meant to make it easier to discover and personalize content, the company said....
16/10/2025
NEW YORK CNN has announced that its All Access subscription tier will launch in the U.S. on Oct. 28, providing audiences with a centralized destination for CNN&...
16/10/2025
Student Spotlight: Alan Villanueva The graduate student and saxophonist, who performed on Natalia Lafourcades Latin Grammy-nominated Live at Carnegie Hall alb...
16/10/2025
The XR Sports Alliance (XRSA) has announced the third cohort of members. The new members include Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), the Vegas Golden Kni...
16/10/2025
NEW YORK The Broadcasters Foundation of America has launched its 2025 Year-End Giving Campaign which seeks to raise donations from tax-deductible personal and c...
16/10/2025
NEW YORK Australia's Nine Network and the NHL today announced a media partnership that will bring the world's premier professional ice hockey league to ...
16/10/2025
Parks Associates has released new data showing that nearly half (45%) of U.S. internet homes watch free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) services and 89% of U.S...
16/10/2025
TROY, Mich. -New data from J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Study shows that residential wireless internet providers are growing...
16/10/2025
Back to All News
Thailand's Legendary Outlaw Returns: Tee Yai: Born to be ...
16/10/2025
Back to All News
Christmas Is Just Around The Corner: Home For Christmas Season...
16/10/2025
Back to All News
Trist n Ulloa Stars in El crimen de Pazos, the New Netflix Ser...
16/10/2025
ABS Completes Redomiciliation to Dubai Development Authority as Part of Strategi...
16/10/2025
This Saturday October 18 Katja Mia will burst onto the radio airwaves for the first time as she joins 2FM. Katja will be standing in for Bl thnaid Treacy on Sat...
16/10/2025
This October, RT is delighted to support Wexford Festival Opera, Babor International Arts Festival for Children, Open House Dublin and 36 other arts and cultu...
16/10/2025
GeForce NOW is more than just a platform to stream fresh games every week - it offers celebrations for the gamers who make it epic, with member rewards to sweet...
15/10/2025
Across the world, early-career reporters are interrogating systems that shape daily life, from mortuaries and classrooms to the corridors of legal education and...
15/10/2025
St. Louis Blues Pay Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne in New Pregame Open VideoThe NHL franchise worked with production firms 2WEI and 4th Floor CreativeBy Mark J Burns,...
15/10/2025
Cobalt Digital, G3DVu, Proxima Vision, and Telos Alliance Renew Premier Sponsors...
15/10/2025
By Paige Bethmann
Before my grandmother passed away in 2019, I went to visit her in the hospital where she'd been for a few weeks. When I arrived, the nurs...
15/10/2025
Two years ago, Spotify set out to grow the entire publishing industry by making ...
15/10/2025
People turn to DJ for a listening experience that feels personal, dynamic, and j...
15/10/2025
Las personas recurren a DJ para vivir una experiencia de escucha personal, din m...
15/10/2025
Rock legend Bruce Springsteen and luminary actor Jeremy Allen White came togethe...
15/10/2025
At Spotify, we're all about supporting rising talent and helping them connec...
15/10/2025
New SBS Documentary Series THE CANCER KILLERS Premieres 4 November on SBS & SBS ...
15/10/2025
SBS celebrates the Festivals of Lights with bold, illuminating stories across th...
15/10/2025
One of humanity's most profound questions continues: Is there any place in our galaxy suitable for life beyond Earth? NASA intends to find out, with the hel...
15/10/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
15/10/2025
Scality, a global leader in cyber-resilient storage software for the AI era, today announced the advancement of its comprehensive AI ecosystem certification pro...
15/10/2025
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) today unveiled key highlights of the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, scheduled for Feb. 15 19 at the Westin Rancho Mirage Go...
15/10/2025
At NAB Show New York 2025 (Stand 244), Interra Systems will showcase the future of media QC, monitoring, and captioning, highlighting its award-winning, AI- and...
15/10/2025
Grass Valley today announced that RMC BFM, part of the CMA-CGM Group and France's third-largest private media group, has chosen Grass Valley's productio...
15/10/2025
Appear, the global leader in live production technology, will demonstrate how its powerful hardware and software innovations are shaping the future of hybrid, s...
15/10/2025
Rakim to Join Berklee's Hip-Hop Hall of Fame at Signature Series Concert The rap icon becomes the latest inductee, following luminaries such as Roxanne Sh...
15/10/2025
Berklee Brings Live Music to the Head of the Charles Student artists will perform on multiple riverfront stages during the 60th anniversary of the world's...
15/10/2025
CobbTV, the government access television channel for Cobb County, Ga. recently acquired an automated playout system from Pebble, a global provider of automation...
15/10/2025
OSLO, Norway Appear, the global leader in live production technology, will demonstrate how its powerful hardware and software innovations are shaping the future...
15/10/2025
NEW YORK The NBA is making major changes to the NBA App and NBA TV as it takes control of them from TNT Sports, which has long managed the league's digital ...
15/10/2025
SAN MATEO, Calif. In what promises to be a major expansion of interactive features and personalized content on the DirecTV platform, the operator and Glance hav...
15/10/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. Roku has launched changes to its user interface (UI) that the streaming platform says will better showcase original programming on the platform...
15/10/2025
LOS ANGELES Software-defined data storage and data services provider OpenDrives has elevated Alex Dunfey to chief technology officer, responsible for driving th...
15/10/2025
Back to All News
Frankenstein' Comes to Life With New London Exhibition an...
15/10/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE October 15, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powe...
15/10/2025
Sheldon Nichols and Will Trickett to find and prepare more classic cars for budget conscious would-be owners from Wiser Films
UKTV have recommissioned the clas...
The writer and director of a hit Czech series tell Robert Shepherd about their approach to portraying real-life Pakistani kidnappings on the small screen, while also discussing their use of natural light on a biblical location
