For a long time, the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), once the heart of Bengali cinema and the Bangladeshi film industry, has been in a state of disrepair. Gone are the days when every corner of the BFDC was abuzz with lights, cameras, and action. High production costs have driven directors away from the BFDC to film elsewhere, leaving the once-bustling facility largely empty. This has led to irregular salaries for its staff, compounding the organisation's woes.

In an effort to revitalise the BFDC, a plan to reduce rental fees for equipment and studio floors has been introduced. This experimental initiative, aimed at attracting more filmmakers to shoot at BFDC, will run for six months.

According to a circular signed by BFDC's Project Director Md Rezaul Haque, the rental rates for floors 1 and 6 have been revised. Previously, the rates for set construction and filming on these floors were Tk 2,550 and Tk 6,500, respectively. 

Under the new pricing scheme, they have been reduced to Tk 2,000 and Tk 5,000. Similarly, the rental for set construction and filming on floor 2 (without air conditioning) was Tk 5,100 and Tk 13,000, respectively, which has now been reduced to Tk 4,000 and Tk 9,000. The rates for floor 2 (with air conditioning) have also been revised, from Tk 5,100 and Tk 18,540 to Tk 4,000 and Tk 11,500 for set construction and filming, respectively.

Camera rental fees have also been significantly slashed. The cost of renting a Red Dragon camera has been reduced from Tk 6,120 to Tk 3,000 for local productions. For outdoor shoots within Bangladesh, the fee is now Tk 3,500, down from Tk 6,630. For international shoots, the rate has dropped from Tk 19,500 to Tk 10,000.

Sony camera rental prices have similarly decreased. The previous fee of Tk 5,100 is now Tk 2,000. For outdoor shoots in Bangladesh, the rental fee has dropped from Tk 5,610 to Tk 2,500, and for international shoots, the price has gone from Tk 16,500 to Tk 7,000.

The charges for digital editing machines have also been reduced, from Tk 2,100 per shift to Tk 1,500, while digital color grading costs have gone from Tk 3,150 to Tk 2,500 per shift. Additionally, the fees for other equipment, such as lighting, audio gear, and set construction materials, have also been lowered.

Several conditions apply to these new rates. If filmmakers bring in external equipment, they must obtain prior approval from the BFDC, and electricity charges will be billed based on shifts. All rental payments must be made according to the official schedule.

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