reported by Sam Kirkman, CyberScreenwriter.com

Economic and political situations in a number of countries across the globe have created a slightly more favorable environment for filmmakers seeking to film abroad, according to the 2007 Risks in Global Filmmaking Map produced each year by Aon/Albert G. Ruben, the world?s number one entertainment risk broker.

Of the 207 countries measured, overall risk for filmmakers in 37 countries decreased slightly from 2006 to 2007. Risk was calculated on a scale from one to five, illustrating very high, high, medium, moderate and low measures.

?In addition to improvements in economic and political conditions, a number of countries are developing into attractive film locales,? stated Chris Palmer, director of risk control for Aon/Albert G. Ruben and author of the annual Risks in Global Filmmaking Map. ?Most notably, Romania and Bulgaria appear to be making concerted efforts to improve their film-related infrastructures in pushes to attract filmmakers.?

Risk in nine countries, including Croatia, Haiti, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan, increased over the year due mostly to crime, political instability or terrorism concerns. Specifically, Nepal?s political environment continues to deteriorate due to a conflict between the royal family and Maoist insurgents; crime continues to grow in Nicaragua; Niger faces serious issues concerning crime, disease and health care; Nigeria continues to be plagued with high crime and kidnappings; Sri Lanka is on the brink of full military conflict after a failed truce with the Tamil Tigers; and Tajikistan faces a high risk of terrorism from Islamic extremists.

Other risks, including the threat of inclement weather, like hurricanes, typhoons and tsunamis, and the hazard of a potential pandemic, such as avian influenza, are ever-present in many areas across the globe. Terrorism is also an ongoing concern in several countries, particularly those in Central Asia.

The Aon/Albert G. Ruben Risks in Global Filmmaking Map measures the threats of crime and corruption, terrorism, kidnap and ransom, disease, and substandard medical care, aggregates those risks and assigns overall risk ratings. It also identifies those countries that pose significant political risks, such as political violence, instability and civil war.

The Risks in Global Filmmaking Map was created by Aon risk experts who measured global risks specific to filmmaking by compiling data from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, Overseas Security Advisory Council, Diplomatic Security Services, Central Intelligence Agency personnel and publications, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and other sources.

Aon/Albert G. Ruben?s risk experts regularly measure the global landscape and provide risk updates for filmmakers throughout the year. Visit www.aon.com/filmrisk to register to receive these updates and a copy of the 2007 Risks in Global Filmmaking Map.