Dubai Media City - the world's next CG hub?

[aazimkhan]

WOW.

and i ran off from Dubai and came here in Canada.

maybe its time to look back....

[recon]

Originally posted by Leonard
Well the good folks at Dubai have done a world first - they have built a city dedicated solely to creativity and media.

They're also doing some other incredible things in Dubai...
The company I used to work with has done quite a bit of visualization work for this project:

http://www.palmisland.co.ae/enter.html

Yep, thats right, they're building a giant palm tree in the sea. Actually, one wasn't enough and there is a second one planned.

The client came to us a few years back and said, "we want to build a giant palm tree in the sea, with residiential, resorts, entertainment... can you show us what it will look like?" Our response was, yeah sure... ha, we'll do it. So we did, and now they are actually building it. Amazing stuff.

-john

[aazimkhan]

yes that place is growing really fast.
I used to live in a near by city Sharjah and if i goto dubai after a few months , I find it really differnt. Just a few months adds so many new buildings, road changes etc.

I read that they are gearing up for the worlds tallest buidling, some rejected australian buidling project...bought by dubai.

I would love to hear more about the 3d / film / commercial industry.....

[Signal2Noise]

Aazim (or "| Z |"), if you decide to go back can you pack me in your suitcase?
You should have experience doing that, eh?;) j/k

Dubai looks like a beautiful place. Is it actually a nice place to live or...?

[aazimkhan]

I am not comparing anything here...
but according to me...I would say Dubai is a hi-tech version of New-york city minus crime, unclean street etc etc.

As you know its an arab country , built on strict laws whihc helps to keep the city clean, safe and a nice place to live.

only negative points are the weahter. It gets real!! hot in summers, secondly..the visa issue ur status never changes if u come in on work visa...u stay as a visitor no matter how long u live...there is no citizenship stuff etc...Its definetly a good place for the local people.

If i were a local person there...I would have some reall BIG reason to move out.

edit: any dubai guy reading. Plese give me a job in dubai!!

[mage111]

incredible :-)!

[nadeemmar]

i live in Dubai
and Yeah DUBAI MEDIA CITY is just a great place to work in
i wish i could work there after i graduate
...........
about the hot .......... my car AC decided to stop working today :banghead: , my god i was like a chicken inside a microwave.... hehe

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

As you know its an arab country , built on strict laws whihc helps to keep the city clean, safe and a nice place to live.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[erilaz]

Wow... a whole city of creative minds... imagine the explosion if they all thought at once.:D

They would have to rebuild it after the creative explosion and call it Neo-Dubai:p

[MosaFacku]

along with commercial benefits that include a 50 year tax exemption from personal, income and corporate taxes.


no income tax for 50 years?? :surprised you gotta be kidding me! that would be beautiful.

[squidinc]

Originally posted by recon
They're also doing some other incredible things in Dubai...
The company I used to work with has done quite a bit of visualization work for this project:

http://www.palmisland.co.ae/enter.html

Yep, thats right, they're building a giant palm tree in the sea. Actually, one wasn't enough and there is a second one planned.

The client came to us a few years back and said, "we want to build a giant palm tree in the sea, with residiential, resorts, entertainment... can you show us what it will look like?" Our response was, yeah sure... ha, we'll do it. So we did, and now they are actually building it. Amazing stuff.

-john

I bet the fish are enjoying the mess its making, what an odd project :surprised


cool media city though :)

[Boxcarwilli]

You can say a million pros and cons about this, (as anything else for that matter), but, one thing it will end up being is a massive target with a big X on it saying "Western Society & Western Commercialism". Good and bad yes, but do we really want another New York?

A clean and crime free New York would be nice, but, still, dont move so fast.

Or better yet, do move fast, real fast, hang there for 5-10 years, then when it attracts all that attention I mentioned, that is the time to leave.


Most of the UAE is really nice, in a way its your swiss bank of the middle east.

[Gnome]

hmm... i wonder if they have any surfing in Dubai?

[onlooker]

would say Dubai is a hi-tech version of New-york city minus crime, unclean street etc etc.

As you know its an arab country , built on strict laws whihc helps to keep the city clean, safe and a nice place to live.

only negative points are the weahter.


Mr. Z

Do those arab laws your speaking of forbid pornography, Alcohol, pre Marital Sex, Sodomy, Smoking, and drug use?

I don't think I can make it. :drool:

[Minguez]

sounds lovely, but I cant get rid if the same feeling I got when the IT-erea was booming. We could all read that it was the new era, the new fields of gold...

Dubai is well developed when it comes to postprod and cg. Companies like http://www.filmwks.com/access/filmwks/ are doing some good work from there...

But here is a new complex that "will utimately extend across 200 hectares" and only hose media companies...
And everybody that works there gets to live in "New york style loft apartments"...

Dont want to sound pessimistic, but I heard all this once before in another bussiness.

I dont mind if Dubai becomes a CD capital toug, would love to live there for a while :), still there is a limit to how good things can be before i start to think it is only air...

Hope I am wrong.

[aazimkhan]

Originally posted by onlooker
Mr. Z

Do those arab laws your speaking of forbid pornography, Alcohol, pre Marital Sex, Sodomy, Smoking, and drug use?

I don't think I can make it. :drool:

Thats a debate question. So i`ll pass.

but would like to add.

Those rules exist only for the better. edit: takin em back.

PEACE.
.

[vfx]

I can't believe it when I saw this on the front page!!

I lived here from a 2 week year old baby till I was 16, and actually went back 2 weeks ago to visit some friends and see my dad. Wow, well don't jump to conclusions yet, I have visited this place (digital media world), and most of the production stuff is for local tv channels, but if anyone in the world has the money and class to make it in CG, then its my home town Dubai! Well, maybe I might take my dads offer on a job he said he could get me in visualisation - its mainly visualisation thats out there, like an earlier post stated, they're building a palm island, so u can quickly get the jest that this place is building the best buildings in the world and I can say my dad had a lot to do with that. You know that there now buidling the tallest tower in the world!

As for dubai itself, its the best place in the world very western in its culture, as long a su respect the arab way, and well, the nicest beaches, chilled out atmosphere and all foreigners are loaded compared to those here in the UK.

This has made my week - Jeez the little place I once knew has changed so much from a desert into this huge city now known internationally!! I still visit my old house in Satwa whenever I go!!

[Boxcarwilli]

aazimkhan, how is "like it or not" a pass?

Too funny:bounce:


Anyway, "Media City" can include all current media, new media, emerging media, media being invented as we speak and whatever you like really. It will always be around, here to stay. It's the "medium" that matters. Just as the Internet (Internet Protocal) is the new medium for communication. IP being the technlogy of the new communication medium.

Just dont let piss poor valuations ruin things. The beef had better be there and not a can of air.

Just my 50cent peiece.

[aazimkhan]

hey VFX.

yeah I love it how they have left the satwa area un touched. with the old houses as it is...and building the new dubai on the other sides...( sheik zayed road...thats an awesoem place)

Yeah DMC will be mostly visualization and internet based graphics etc.. and maybe some commercial.

[vfx]

hey aazimkhan,

Can u believe this post? Dubai has grown so damn much!

Satwa, yeah all the same, except the irnanian hospital - different now! even more mosaic - Damn I need a schwarma!

As for sufring, only if a real strong wind picks up, otherwise its like glass!

No one is allowed to read this stuff, go away, this is my little idaho! LOL.

P.s. the houses are amazing there too, and life is so relaxed!

P.S.S. This place has been around fro a while, but 2 newer things to note are that

A. there is also an internet city
B. they plan to build an international film festival like cannes!

Well, all this thanks to sheik Rashid!

[aazimkhan]

mmmmmmmmm.....Shawrma....:drool:
Man i miss those!!!!

hey vfx why dont you add me at MSN or ICQ.
we could chat. MSN. aazimkhan@hotmail.com
ICQ 62103533

[vfx]

hey aazimkhan

I only have yahoo messenger, but if u like I could always join!

[Douglask]

Hey Zimmy, Kelowna Loves Dubai, lol.
Good to finally see the Disneyland of Media.

Cheers!

[Brent Turbo]

Am I wrong in assuming that you'd get paid like 5 bucks an hour in Dubai? With so many US companies farming work to (literally) starving artists in Asia, and paying them next to nothing, this looks like it would be a great deal for investors and companies who can afford to exploit workers, but not a great deal for the artists themselves.

[Emre]

***************************************************
quote:
Originally posted by onlooker
Mr. Z
Do those arab laws your speaking of forbid pornography, Alcohol, pre Marital Sex, Sodomy, Smoking, and drug use?
I don't think I can make it.
Thats a debate question. So i`ll pass.
but would like to add.
Those rules exist only for the better. edit: takin em back.
PEACE.
***************************************************

Yes, Peace but can i ask,

is it better to have seperate beaches,pools for women and men to use???

just a question tickling my mind...

[aazimkhan]

good point Brent. I fear of that happening too....
until they control the flow of artists coming in and studios etv etc...

[vfx]

This couldn't happen, foreigners need to be well paid in order to be attracted, and from personal knowledge dubai doesn't won't to bother training, they are interested in the best, and they can pay for the best! If u ever go there, just pop into the Dubai marine beach club, and look around, that's where you'll get an idea as to how well paid some media ppl are? That's where my dad hangs out.

A taster - lunchtime - cool drink by a pool, sun in yer face. - BUT you have to work damn hard otherwise ur out!


Oh and fuel is 25 dhs to fill up! Which is like 4-5 pounds instead of what we pay - 20-30 pounds!

[aazimkhan]

Originally posted by Emre
***************************************************
quote:
Originally posted by onlooker
Mr. Z
Do those arab laws your speaking of forbid pornography, Alcohol, pre Marital Sex, Sodomy, Smoking, and drug use?
I don't think I can make it.
Thats a debate question. So i`ll pass.
but would like to add.
Those rules exist only for the better. edit: takin em back.
PEACE.
***************************************************

Yes, Peace but can i ask,

is it better to have seperate beaches,pools for women and men to use???

just a question tickling my mind...


hehehe...lets not discuss those here:shame: ...lets keep the thread on its topic...if u really need answers to those email me.
:)

[vfx]

Yeah come on, its no saudi arabia if thats what u mean, but like anywhere, u respect the social structure, and Dubai is a muslim country - so respect where it is due. But I must add, I had a great time growing up there, and no I had no segregation from females! If u are a foreigner, u fit in with others like u and u live life as normal, but within a certain circle so to speak. It's difficult to explain, its kinda like a multi-social place.

[theartspark]

Wow, this is great! A city full of creative people who think along the same wavelength, a dream city come true!!

[nadeemmar]

Emre: please UAE is a muslim country as vfx said and this kind of questions will go in another direction so no need for it....

and yeah

peace

[Minguez]

I now watched the commercial filmpresentation about this projcet, and Im sorry to say that it reminds me of the classic book Grapes Of Wrath, where the orangeplatgeowneres in California, that needed to hire 5000 orangepickers sended out massive advertisements to millions of people, that there is wellpaid jobs in cal, and they told them weather and living style is uttopic (just like in this presentation). By doing this over 500 000 people came for the 5000 jobs, and the plantageowners could set the wages at whatever level they wanted.

The video focused very much on geting freelancers to find interest in coming.

Now If 10% of all the cgtalkers would hear the call and pack their bags (It´s like 1400 cg artist or what?), how much bussiness would there be for each of us, and how well paid could we possible get.

Or am I missing something here, are Dubai TV filling their intros and commercials with black frames today since there are no cg-artists, are magazines printing white ads, since ther are no art directors and they are all needed desperatly right now...

Once again I do not meen anything negative about Dubai, wich i belive to be a fantastic place :)

But if anybody of you that are from U.A.E can enlighten me about this strong call for mediapeople and the reason for it please help me out. I dont realy understand...

[aazimkhan]

As far as i know..UAE has a lot of money...and when they have a idea they think big...the DMC is one of their big visions...although at present they dont have many amazing artists like we have here in N.America....so this is one of thier steps to attract artists..and mainly studios to take place in DMC.

similarly they got DIC - dubai internet city...focusin on internet , webdesign multimedia etc etc.

If all goes good hopefully DMC will have a good collection of studios to fullfill commercial, television and maybe even film post work.

a downside from our view could be..that clients from N.america or europe could turn towards DMC for thier needs...coz it will be cheap due to currency rates. ----- unless they charge in dollars!:)

things that took many years to happen here...is being done really fast thier - because they know what exists - and they are geting it altogether.

[shaangfx]

i cant believe..dubai is in demand!
thats really nice to read all these thing from u guys..!
well what can i say...

i would like to talk to any perosn who worked there!

[Minguez]

aazimkhan,
thnx for clearing things up a little bit.

Its just that I have the situation in my town fresh in memory. I live in Stockholm wich is sort of one of the worlds CG capitals today, I would say Stockholm comes in at nr 3 after London and N.Y. There is basically a postprod company in every streetcorner at some parts of town. When it comes to music videos, if it is superstars (Madonna, U2 Roling Stones) the are actualy more often postproded in Stockholm then in the U.S. The same goes for lots of commercials. (Just look at the amount of swedes at this board). I guess it is because there are some very hyped swedish directors bringing the jobs in. But the market is overheated, even if an incredible large amount of international work lands on workstations in tiny Stockholm, the houses that makes a proffit can be counted on one hand, but the rest are loosing money big time. And I must tell you that the quality of the companies losing money every day is extemely high.

I think the same genaralisation above goes for London as well.

How did this happend?
Well, spindoctors hyped the new media market, and investors jumped on the train like never before.

Having lots of something is not the same as having something that is good. If there is a market opportunity, there is no need to tell the market about it, It will find it and exploait it by itself, that is how it works.

Dubai will do fine nomather if there is a media boom or not, just be careful and dont remake our mistakes...

[1YAG]

considering the anti-gay passages in the hadith, i would never move there. :annoyed: (if its under muslim laws)

[Minguez]

1YAG, there is many things we think is wrong about different cultures, I as a european for one thing have some serius issues with some things in the U.S legal system, as well as not so serious things with the middle east legal system. But Ill debate them in a political debate forum...and never on CGtalk.

[derelict]

YA RIGHT! and when u accidently pick up a wallet...BANG! you will be slap with a list of offense and than the next thing u know you loose your hands. yes, they cut off hands there i hear.

[aazimkhan]

high school under his name explains his reply.
I would just ignore it.

1YAG please. You are on CGtalk. stick to the topic.

STOP IT PEOPLE. STICK TO THE TOPIC.

[derelict]

aazim, dont forget they use SHARIAH LAW there. right?

[jtk77]

I still don;t even understand why any "real" places to do media exist.
We should be able to have a virtual office, work from where ever we want, talk on video conferance, send work via FTP.
Have producers physicaly meet with clients and contact your workers who best meet the project. A physical space should not exist as far as I am concerned. I hate going to the office when I can do the same on my porch in my swimtrunks.

[googlo]

1YAG please. You are on CGtalk. stick to the topic.

I don't see how that isn't on topic (or what others have said). Everyone is talking about this place, not just the CG involved about why they would want to move there. If there are negative social pressures as well, than that is part of the package and should have equal discussion because it will/would have an impact on peoples lives there.

[Minguez]

googlo, yes- but the forum rules are here for reasons. The reasons are that cgtalkers from the entire world can have a place where we can talk CG.

What if noone from france can post about an upcoming france film withouht U.S bashing and yells of boycot.

What if U cant post a joboffering in the U.S without leftwing CG-talkers starts comenting about how the healtcaresystem sucks compared to europeans or how children (under 18) can be scentenced to death..

Who is right and who is wrong? It is only a matter of personal opinion and background...

This thred was about an oppotrunity of work or bussiness, not about gayrights or sharia law...and no they dont practice full Sharia, they have secular and Islamic law in U.A.E and in Dubai secular law is more comon. All westerners gets to be judged in secular law if they did a no no...

For all that are interested in more info, read this:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/tc.html#Intro

if this derails more I think moderators has to drop by and do some clean up...

[aazimkhan]

if we have more people like Minguez the world would be a better place.

[Joviex]

Originally posted by aazimkhan
I am not comparing anything here...
but according to me...I would say Dubai is a hi-tech version of New-york city minus crime, unclean street etc etc.

As you know its an arab country , built on strict laws whihc helps to keep the city clean, safe and a nice place to live.

only negative points are the weahter. It gets real!! hot in summers, secondly..the visa issue ur status never changes if u come in on work visa...u stay as a visitor no matter how long u live...there is no citizenship stuff etc...Its definetly a good place for the local people.

If i were a local person there...I would have some reall BIG reason to move out.

edit: any dubai guy reading. Plese give me a job in dubai!!

Uh, hmmm, and what about the treatment of my wife if I moved and set up shop there?

And, not for nothing, but it is damn close to the most active miltary issues of this age.

[derelict]

Minguez relax dude. I think u need to get out of the rabbit hole and into the real world (hmmm whus it the other way around?) anyway, i think gay is an issue, because there are lots of fantastic gay artists in the west and they are look apon like the ebola virus in the eye of the muslim shariah law.

I think they deport gay people in the luggage compartment back to their native country.

[derelict]

Uh, hmmm, and what about the treatment of my wife if I moved and set up shop there?

she needs a scarf. she just need a scarf oh and no bikini please.... no mini skirt.. i mean no skirts at all. no body hugging clothings and dont smell to powerfully (so sprey cK just a lil) than you're fine.

in summary, women must wear cloth that does not provoke the cultured male muslim there. IF u did, its your ( the ladies) fault.

[googlo]

Minguez,

This isn't as big an issue as you are making it out to be.

It's like someone mentionin that NYC has a lot of crime and dirty streets. Anyone care then? No.

It is related to CG because a whole city is being advertised as a mecca for CG artists. I would think the living conditions and social rule of law would be just as much interest to the CG artist thinking about moving there as the buildings and equipment that make up the infrastructure for the CG artist to work in.

[Joviex]

Originally posted by vfx
As for dubai itself, its the best place in the world very western in its culture, as long a su respect the arab way,


Now that is funny.

Very western in culture as long as you respect a 5000 year old eastern philosphy and religeon.

Sorry, but that is going to be the stymy that keeps most of the western culture out of that place. If they really want to bloosm with an influx of pre-existing industry from the west, they are going to have to compromise some things along the way.

NY, LA, TX, FL, CO, NV (US states) plus New Zealand, Australia, England.... these are all great production spots because they do not limit the rights of their citizens in base ways (re: religeous tolerance of western ideals).

Sorry, rather drink a beer, animate some softcore hentai CG, go home have great sex with my unveiled wife, and then smoke a cigerette.

viva la freedom.

[aazimkhan]

oh my god.

SOMEONE PLEASE CLOSE THIS THREAD.

[Joviex]

Originally posted by derelict
she needs a scarf. she just need a scarf oh and no bikini please.... no mini skirt.. i mean no skirts at all. no body hugging clothings and dont smell to powerfully (so sprey cK just a lil) than you're fine.

in summary, women must wear cloth that does not provoke the cultured male muslim there. IF u did, its your ( the ladies) fault.

Yeah forget that sh!t. My wife is strong enough as a person and fine enough not to be covering herself up unless she feels like it.

Suppose I will keep the oil burning in good old ass backwards america. LOL.

[googlo]

Amorano,

Talking like that will get the thread closed. I think it would be better if the issue of laws or whatever there were discussed as a a matter of awareness. Expressing opnion like that is too strong and will excite people and get the thread closed :(.

[Chewey]

Dubai? Muslim culture and restrictions?
S.A. and Kuwait are not such great places for westerners/foreigners according to my comrades who've been over there.

No thank you. Keep your clean and pretty city of the future. I'll take the funk and filth of NewYork anyday.

[derelict]

Originally posted by aazimkhan
oh my god.

SOMEONE PLEASE CLOSE THIS THREAD.

Why do that aaazim my friend?

It is a fact that if the dubai people would like to make that city a success, they need to know this issue? Dont you know the world media spins around the western hemisphere? IF one wants to make it globally, one must understand global issues.

I know of such topic because i live next door to a country that is muslim (liberal muslim) known as malaysia. They build the self same city in the heart of thier capital known as the multimedia hub. There was lots and lots of issue but the government there made a point by making it a free zone FINALLY to help fill the lots and make it a success. Free zone being no strong government law to make funny local rules in them places. There is law, but the law that is very very cosmopolitan. So aazim its important the power that be in dubai take a look at this thread and hopefully they can answer as best they can the issue raise in here.

[Joviex]

Originally posted by googlo
Amorano,

Talking like that will get the thread closed. I think it would be better if the issue of laws or whatever there were discussed as a a matter of awareness. Expressing opnion like that is too strong and will excite people and get the thread closed :(.

Well, sorry for the strength of the post, but people should know 100% what they are getting into.

Having two-ten people who once lived there and no longer do is a point in itself.

The fact is, the position of the city itself is in a very hot bed of politcal and religeous debates/wars/claims/etc....

You may want to believe that none of that will matter, I will tell you otherwise. I have been there, spent a couple years in the mid east, and it is not just the weather that would be a determining factor.

So please, you don't want me blowing smoke, neither should the people who think this is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[hypercube]

I agree it's too much of a powder keg to discuss on the internet, but it IS totally relevant to them looking to attract CG people from the West and other areas, because they'll have to live there, and things like this are a factor in the decision. :hmm:

[RichSuchy]

What I would like to know is what type of law system they have. If its not exceptionally well designed such a place would likely become a cesspool of deciet and corruption. What experience I have of the middle east, and much of asia is that ethical values are rare at best, by western standards.

I would need some good arguments to throw my butt into what i suspect to be the mother of all vipers nests.

[Minguez]

All gulf states takes a public stand agains gays, And yes I have an issue with that.

Another side of it is that there is a very much live and vibrant gayscene in Dubai (what else with thosands of young britts living there;). A while ago the gay community in Dubai decided to announce a public gay party. It was at the same time and place as usual, but this time as a protest they spread flyers on town abuot it wich led to the authoroty closing the club that night (wich i thingk was wrong).

But, noone was arrested and noone was deported, wich very well decribes the balance beteween the two cultures. Free to have a gayclub as long as you dont bomb the town with flyers about it.

So the deportingthing I dont realy know about. Maybe in other parts of U.A.E but not in Dubai.

ohh I am relaxed.. but do you think I would get relaxed comments if i where to post that Bush is a mother¤/#)%? in a U.S related thread. I guess i would get upset coments back, and I would deserve them since Bush has nothing to do with CG-Talk unless he posts his first Mayarendering in the W.I.P section :)

[googlo]

amorano,

I do think it matters it's just that in a public forum espeically an international one that is moderated, you have to be more diplomatic or there won't even BE a discussion taking place (i.e. it will get closed).

I just want the truth about things, it doesn't mean blowing smoke, but it also doesn't mean you have to blow fire! :)

[Minguez]

googlo, point taken I Agree. I just knew that the little things would start the snowball since cultural "flaws" (that are not flaws in evrybodys eyes) are a bit more sensitive then streetcrime issues...

and now here we are, and maybe Im a bit guilty of bringing it to this point. But even if Ill stop posting now, It will continue of track untill thread is locked. I see it comming.

We have to make a choise. Either every thread that has to do with CG in the middle east ends locked, or we try to not to touch issues that has nothing to do with CG.

I go for every chance of leting M.E artists being a part of this community without hearing about the "handchopping"

And hopfully I dont have to hear how we, the swedes helped the nazis during the WWII (wich I am ashamed of)

And U.S artist does not need to hear that 21 000 people dead by gunrelated wounds in one year is not crime but a ****ing civil war.

[aazimkhan]

Minguez has a good understanding of the laws.
Many of the laws that we have been hearing have changed.

as vfx said
As for dubai itself, its the best place in the world very western in its culture, as long a su respect the arab way

yes it is very Western with the arab culture intact.

There are so many American, Europeon people living there and I never heard of any stuff that i have read here.

All those laws exist in places like Saudiarabia where the laws are still strict.

UAE has changed over the years and has become very friendly and understanding towards other cultures.

pork is prohibited but this thing happened when i was there.
they started selling pork...coz many of the american, europeon people have it - so if the laws were so strict why would they do that.

bottom line. Things are not as Harsh as you think they are.

[KolbyJukes]

... nice city ... would everybody just be quiet about the political/cultural stuff...please...I can't stand the fighting! Can't we all just be a family again? :shrug:

I know these are somewhat pertinent issues, but, if we keep this up, the thread is going to get locked. And there are some pretty gross overexaggerations being put forth here.

So yeah...nice city eh? That must be pretty cool. :thumbsup:

-Kol.

[aazimkhan]

yeah...c`mon...stop thinking so hard...and live your life.

anyways...so u guys should alteast make a trip to Dubai..enlighten your self with the real deal!.....specially during thier big DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL..thats awesome...

[Naseem]

Well knowing Arabic language is an advantage if ur planning to work there, lucky me I do :D……I hope 1 day I can go there it’s the most amazing city I ever seen.:buttrock:

[Minguez]

hmm the shopping festival. Last years stage was insane (I also work with real world stagelighting). I was not there but I got some pictures of it, 350 moving lights, over 1000 normal fixtures, moving truss, :drool:

When there is 500 guys including me watching a nice lit fashion event 499 looks at the girls and:drool: and one looks at the lightrig and:drool: just sick I know... :D

[Angelus26]

Dubai is a fast growing city, I wouldn't describe it like New York, however, it's far more spaced out. Some of you may have heard that the world's tallest building is about to start construction there as well, details here:

http://www.burjdubai.com/

http://ulb.jeeran.com/111.JPG

Of course, it is a muslim country, though quite a liberal one as far as they go (certainly not like Saudi at all) but all the same, it's a bit of a culture change at first if you move there. In terms of gays, well officially it's a no-no, though under the surface I'd say it flourishes in the region, in part due to the segregation of men and women.

All up though, certainly an interesting place to visit.

[woodwoox]

dubai is different. i live in abu dhabi just 2 hours off dubai and everyweekends i go for shopping in dubai.

big projects goes on, although in animation field dubai still look young into this field.

and many british and french and canadian and american and rest of coutries live in there so once u come to dubai u could see them as multi-culture city.

as for confilct between ur culture and dubai culture there is not much trouble at all people over there are easy going.

one thing i like in dubai is their rules for if u want settle in dubai its all easy and smooth unlike abu dhabi.....

best time to visit dubai is between late november and april where the weather drop at 20 :D other wise rest of summer time weather reach up to 40-50 + 100 humidity ( in summer people avoid sun between 1pm and 5pm) :D :D

and dubai has a cool festivals like
www.mydsf.com

what else i heard dubai is going to have an indoor mountain with ice skating or ski sport something like this and what else ?
man things goes on dubai ...... this is all because of one man
which is shaikh hamdan ben rashed <---- this man is cool
shaikh = title like prince

hmmmmmm what else u like to know ?

excuse me for my english.

[aazimkhan]

yeah its awesome...how dubai creates what ever is missing...
imagine all those amazing golf courses in the desert...its just great to see a big golf course can exsist there....
yeah goto the festivals....go ice skating...soon even start sking....

goto the beaches...swim, do some boat race...or go watch the horse race...or even the classical camel race...

go into the deserts for some thrilling safari...rent of the of Nissan Patrols and go wild in the desert....then settle in for some BBQ in the desert....

then tons of shopping malls....luxurios shopping mall...watch some movies...goto the amazing latest collection of arcades....

tired!.....then go for some cart race........boy....so much sutff u could do there in one small city!!

[woodwoox]

its an entertainment city :buttrock:
http://www.timeoutdubai.com/

:buttrock: :thumbsup: :buttrock: :bounce: :wavey:

[aazimkhan]

here guys...maybe u need to see dubai LIVE for yourself..

check this...u can control this camera...go ahead...take a look around...


http://dubaitourism.co.ae/www/WebCam/WebCamIndex.asp

[lildragon]

This is exactly why this has been setup http://www.cgtalk.com/policy.php

salud

[BiTMAP]

I don't really like the idea of this city, its like Babolyon, accept its not as bad yet. Also the Laws of the Muslim world are truly more close minded then most people say of Christians, women and men are equal and THUS should be treated equal, women should be allowed to do as they wish, they should be encouraged to realise that they don't have to dress like sluts to attract healthy wholsome men. Also I do not personaly Agree to gay relationships, but that shouldn't be against it either, I also know that as a christian going into this city it would be much of a problem since I'm an "infidel".

The idea sounds kinda "kool" but in that creepy I don't really want to have anything to do with it way.

[onlooker]

I started this whole thing with a joke. Now it's turned into a discussion on regional politics, and practices.


Sorry:hmm:

[1YAG]

Originally posted by BiTMAP
I don't really like the idea of this city, its like Babolyon, accept its not as bad yet. Also the Laws of the Muslim world are truly more close minded then most people say of Christians, women and men are equal and THUS should be treated equal, women should be allowed to do as they wish, they should be encouraged to realise that they don't have to dress like sluts to attract healthy wholsome men. Also I do not personaly Agree to gay relationships, but that shouldn't be against it either, I also know that as a christian going into this city it would be much of a problem since I'm an "infidel".

The idea sounds kinda "kool" but in that creepy I don't really want to have anything to do with it way.

As a christian wouldnt you be considered a "people[person] of the book." (christians, jews, muslims). From what I have read, most people seem to notice the cultural differences of the muslim religion/culture, when there are actaully much more to be known about it. :lightbulb , otherwise Dubai sounds like a pretty cool place, i cant wait to see what it will be like in 10 years...

[1YAG]

After reading this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1254897.stm

I question the authorities on how they handled the situation (closing down the gay club), considered only 2,500[according to bbc] flyers were given out. When "The population of the UAE is estimated at 2.6 million and Dubai's population is about 900,000 with an area of about 3,900 square kilometres." [google search:www.marichem.com/your/]. that seems like a fairly small number of flyers to be handed out to cause such an uproar. ANYWAYS, often its hard to get a neutral opionion/news on things that happen in the middle east without opinionation.

[BoydLake]

All I have to say is I got your multimedia/entertainment hub right here baby!

Dooods..... by the time Dubai is the entertainment media hub they are saying it will be, there'll be no reason for it. The web will be big enough to handle the interaction we'll need, we won't need "hubs" at least in a physical sense....just a good connection. It's happening already. Besides, who in this industry has time to go skiing on an indoor mountain anyway?

[vfx]

Wow this thread has picked up, but I must clear things up having lived in dubai for 16 years, its nothing like what ppl have suggested...

No they don't take ur hands off!!!

No, foreign women don't have to cover up as previously described...there are plenty of women in bikinis, and as much as it isn't encouraged, it happens plenty!

Dubai has some of the best night clubs in the world, and has the best beach clubs! Do u honestly think ppl walk around all dressed up in them too!!!

As I already said, there are circles of foreigners there, and if u speak to anyone who has lived there they'll let u know that it is indeed a mic of califronia/NY, without the crime, and pollution.

I'm not surprised to see that a majority of posts here that are negative are from the US, what a surprise, you're probably all so uptight about the possibility that there maybe a new place for CG outside of the US which has better prospects and lifestyle, and thus would mean fewer jobs for you guys! Stop being so patriotic, what have u got to be so happy about, cos it won't last forever, remember, Britain owned 2/3 of the world at one point, and what didi it gain!?!

[nadeemmar]

ok i live in dubai .... so i'm writing this post from dubai..

i read the posts and beleive i started to pull my hair.....from where you guys get ur imformation .... !!!!! from MARS

read vfx post above mine .... it is just that you don't know and you think you know .....

and you made me beleive in that you are not will educated in the cultures side ... .

sorry for the english

peace (Salam in arabic)

[SMH]

I grew up in Dubai, so I want to clear up some things about my home town.

The stuff some people wrote about limitations to women's freedom, or imposed dress codes, is just baseless. I remember seeing a couple of women shopping in their bikinis, and that was in a crowded shopping mall some 5 years ago. And guess what, no one objected, or even said anything to them! So there's no dress code imposed on women. Dubai also has mixed beaches, where no specific types of bikinis are banned.

Those who spoke about loosing your hand, for picking up a wallet...well they know nothing about the subject. First of all, that penalty is not applied in Dubai. Even in Saudi Arabia it's only done to major gang leaders, never to minor offenders, and that is what Sharia calls for.

I just think that we have to be responsible when we evaluate an entire society. People should know what they're talking about, before they post. There are tons of wonderful aspects about Dubai, that few here mentioned. The cultural diversity, the modernity, and the dynamic development approach by the authorities. One small example: my school had students from about 90 nationalities, and they all lived in perfect harmony with local students. We didn't have gangs of brits against locals...not even ethnic based sports teams, we were simply united.

The one thing that touched me most about Dubai, was the sense of communal unity, among all those different cultures. It doesn't matter where you're from, or who you worship...you're in Dubai now, so relax and have fun! That's the message everybody conveys, it's like a big family.

As a professional you will never find a better place to be, unless you're an outlaw by anyone's standards.

BTW vfx, nadeemmar, and aazimkhan...I'm so glad to see you here in cgtalk. I wonder if I know any of you.

[Signal2Noise]

Originally posted by SMH
[Blah, blah, blah]....

BTW vfx, nadeemmar, and aazimkhan...I'm so glad to see you here in cgtalk. I wonder if I know any of you.

Hell, you all may be siblings from the same harem ;) :p

[Naseem]

It’s a pitty that ppl here still think that Dubai and other Arab nations r still in the restriction of freedom :shame: , I tell u 1 thing this was the past and no longer exist only in 3rd world countries, also some of these countries r adapting to the way of life here, the only problem is that ur watching too match American movies about Arabs way of life, maybe u should check the date of the movie and then see what I mean.

To make a point of my comment I say Dubai deserve to be a leading media industry after what she accomplished, read more about Dubai be4 u judge it :thumbsup:


Salam!

[StefanDidak]

Originally posted by SMH
I grew up in Dubai, so I want to clear up some things about my home town.


In concur with what you're saying and cleaing up.

I travel to Dubai regularly because of my involvement in DMC, which is indeed one of the best places on the planet to setup shop in a relaxed way and offers amazing benefits if you headquarter there (as opposed to, say, having a subsidiary). When I first went there I had a lot of expectations amongst the line of what you're speaking of, issues of dress code for woman, law enforcement, the general atmosphere and culture, etc. but was pleasantly surprised to discover it to be highly modern and luxurious. The people are friendly, service oriented, and in a lot of cases it felt like being on a very strange place on the planet because it was way more liberal than I expected it to be. Indeed, the only thing I seriously dislike is the sun and the heat that's just plain scorching (I get burned instead of tanned).

On the other hand, while it is financially very interesting for entrepeneurs to get involved in DMC it also turns out that Dubai is quite an expensive place and a lot of breaks provided, such as the tax exemption, tend to balance itself against the cost of staying there (and not just for staying in the Burj Al Arab or Beit Al Bahar!). Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area I'm accustomed to high costs for just about everything but am still often surprised about the differences I sometimes encounter.

Incidentally, Egypt is cloning the DMC concept whereby a part of desert land has been converted into a business park. Their focus and concept is to build it up to be a clone of Silicon Valley, hosting tech and IT companies, software companies, etc. Though instead of a 50yr exemption they only go for 10. :)

[recon]

Perhaps "Westerners", specifically americans, are coming off as Dubai-phobic because not enough of those who are doing business in Dubai are piping in here, or maybe there aren't enough of us on this forum.

So I'll just say that all our experiences with our friends from Dubai have been enjoyable, hassle free and profitable. For those who wish to stay away I can only say thanks:)
Personally, I haven't had the pleasure to visit, although I begged to go, it wasn't in the budget. (When we sent a couple guys there, It cost about 3 grand each to do the round trip in airfare alone). Thats actually one reason I could envision setting up a satellite shop there.

The stories I've heard from our guys upon their return were full of good comments and void of the bad. Especially of note, as stated above, was the degree of service , friendliness and genuine professional respect encountered.

This kind of effort by the Dubai government is exactly the kind of thinking the whole world needs to continue moving forward.

-john manning

[leuey]

Wow - this thread is fascinating. My cousin has lived in Dubai for years and mentioned to me that they were moving in this direction. Dubai seems like a wonderful place to live and cultural differences with the western world are to be expected.

There is a big red flag in all of this. From what I understand Dubai's oil resources will be running out in a decade or two. This is the impetus behind the big push to become a technology center (not just media - Dubai headquarters many tech. company's eastern offices). The 'red flag' comes from my experience living in Silicon Valley. I've been here through the buildup, the boom, and the bust (and now the rebuild...). I've seen this type of enthusiasm fall flat on it's face. Only time will tell if Dubai's media city makes it or not.

Dubai seems to have a lot to offer and they're basically making a big pitch to attract biz (mostly western biz it seems). I think it will come down to talent in the end. Will the talent be willing to relocate? Pixar isn't going anywhere, ILM isn't going anywhere, neither is PDI/Dreamworks or any of the other various big U.S. companies. Media companies generally have short lifespans with a few exceptions. Weta hasn't even passed the test of time yet (let's see where they are 10 years from now, hopefully still chugging along - but you never know. It only takes a couple of flops to kill a company). Maybe it will just be a bunch of service oriented media botiques that make commercials and tv shows.

Very interesting. I guess we'll just wait and see.

later,

Greg

[xmb]

my soul is too dark to live in a such a sunny place all the time...
for holidays sure, i'll go there once, when palm island is finished or earlier. but live there? that stuff looks very mainstream/ broadcast, not as creative/ progressive as london or paris...

[recon]

Originally posted by leuey
---clip--- This is the impetus behind the big push to become a technology center (not just media - Dubai headquarters many tech. company's eastern offices). The 'red flag' comes from my experience living in Silicon Valley. I've been here through the buildup, the boom, and the bust (and now the rebuild...). I've seen this type of enthusiasm fall flat on it's face. Only time will tell if Dubai's media city makes it or not.
---clip---
later,

Greg

You may have a point, but all the eggs aren't going into one basket. The link I posted in message#2 in this thread is a project that has more to do with tourism, entertainment and high-quality (permanent) living... another similar one is:
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com
There is lots going on there, not just the DMC.

-j

[RichSuchy]

Dispite me experiences with people of the wider middle eastern regeon, I have not made accusing statements, but I have said that I have my suspicions.

My suspicions have to do allot with my experiences and knowlege of recent history with middle eastern news mouthpieces.

My experiences were specific to the princes staff from Abu Dhabi, and how a company I worked for did three months of production work for the princes birthday party (laser show) when suddenly all our agreements went out the door. Suddenly they tried to renegotiate the deel to half the agreed-upon amount and refused to discuss it further. Our company cut our losses and discontinued production. no money was recieved so no product was delivered. BUT 3 months of production time ends up being quite a loss to a small company. There was much belt tightening.

Promises had been made. that is why production was begun. They tried to say that the promises were never made because we coudnt prove they were on paper. I fine bit of sophistry but has little to do with truth, or ethics for that mater. THere were plenty of assurances and meetings to the purpose of creating content.

I can understand a little slime ball in his own little world being so duplicitous, but the representatives of thea the prince of a country?


It has become aparent in recent months that news companies in the middle east, most notable; Al jazeera, are nothing more than the mouthpiece of ruling parties in the region. Dispite overwhelming evfidence to the contrary, they continued to out and out lie about the success of the US in IRAQ. It reminds me of how Egypt used to say they were beating the Isreali army so many years ago, with news casts of, we have defeted them, and we have them on the run, etc. Then suddenly when Egypt had to admit defeat, they said, Uh... maybe we should give Isreal this peice of land...

none of what i have said proves much of anything about the whole region. but I think there is cause to be skeptical.

I wonder if there isnt some dynamic that spaned what i have seen in a general way. For now, I will keep my eyes open and my distance.

Reality is not so subjective but truth is bandied about as a mutable thing in my opinion, far to freeely in that region, for much trust to exist. I would suggest to you that without trust based on an ethical base where truth is valued, commerce will be stymied.

Originally posted by martok
It’s a pitty that ppl here still think that Dubai and other Arab nations r still in the restriction of freedom :shame: , I tell u 1 thing this was the past and no longer exist only in 3rd world countries, also some of these countries r adapting to the way of life here, the only problem is that ur watching too match American movies about Arabs way of life, maybe u should check the date of the movie and then see what I mean.

To make a point of my comment I say Dubai deserve to be a leading media industry after what she accomplished, read more about Dubai be4 u judge it :thumbsup:


Salam!

[Leonard]

I've read all the posts here and I appreciate everyone's input. I do ask, however, that we refrain from the political debate as much as possible.

I started this thread as a discussion about whether Dubai Media City is possibly a viable location for regional or worldwide CG/Visual Effects production, given the incentives that they are giving.

I agree that to a certain extent, politics need to be addressed as we're all within the constraints of governments. However, we're here to talk about CG and the business of CG, so if we can stay on the topic, this would be much appreciated.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed thus far.

Leonard

[Minguez]

Rich - First of all, I think what you wrote about the broken prommisses are correct and something that we should al learn, nomather where in the world we agree on something, we must get it on paper, You are probably very professional In what you do, but not getting a contract in written from a client in another part of the world before starting to work is just... unprofessional from your side. That way of fooling people exist all over the world. But yeas, for some reasons more in some parts of M.E Africa and Asia then in the west.

For example in sweden, It is common to lure eastern people to work for free and then threw them out of the county (wich is awful yes). But i guess that our Royal family would not such a thing.

Now about al Jazeera
"more than the mouthpiece of ruling parties in the region"
In my eyes this is totaly wrong, I follow alJazeera, and i must say that they where more accurate than you think. They did not lie about the U.S sucess, they reported about every fallen iraqi city right away...they where predicting just as a short war as the media in the U.S, but they also reported about killed americans, and shot down helicopters, true. And they are as critical they can be without the risk of being shut down...Just like in the U.S recently where you can only be as critical as you can without risk being fired for being unpatriotic ;)

"more than the mouthpiece of ruling parties in the region"
me personaly thinks that this fits FOX-tv better, I mean if they lied first about Jessica probably being excecuted, then saved with gunshotwounds, then no wounds, then smallcaliber wounds again, then no wounds, then figting to the death GI, Jane story, then we hear from the other survvor that an RPG took her out imidiately, It makes me wonder what else was a lie...But that is just from my point of wiev, almoast noone you know agrees with me, almoast everybody over here does...

but Once again Is CT-Talk the place for this?
And I would also like to advice not people not to say "this is the best place in the world" - since that is just a statement from your wiev, and it just gives awa an opportuninty for a debate wethere it is right or wrong.

I hate it if CG-talk would become a place where all disussions about CG in the M.E ends up locked.


this is from the policy document:
No:
- Potentially inflammatory discussions or comments regarding social issues
These include, but are not limited to, topics such as racism, sexism, religion, xenophobia or homosexuality.

no more postings about
handchoppling - wrong regarding Dubai
Skinny 11 yearold slave on camel - wrong regarding Dubai

[Minguez]

oops, sorry leonard, u beat me to it...

no more from me...prommisse!

[gigatron]

Originally posted by aazimkhan
WOW.

and i ran off from Dubai and came here in Canada.

maybe its time to look back....

Haha I just found this thread while searching for something else.. hmm interesting!

Yeah a friend said she'd like to live in dubai, and even though I know quite a bit about middle-east and lived in north africa amongst arabs.. i never quite knew much about UAE. I figured they are rich arabs hehe.. but like.. yeah I found out they have so many media/whatever and generally all kinds of high tech high end jobs!

So I thought hhmmm.. maybe me too! I want to live there heh :)

Nice site, this is interesting to know :)

I skipped over the insults/political crap.. I can but assume it was more anti-arab, anti-muslim flaming -_-; or better said ignorance... BUT ANYWAYS :p Hehe, I just stick to the interesting info on dubai media city :D

[failed_guyver]

yeah, they are really building some amazing stuffs, like Palm Island. But there is other big too, an underground hotel named Lost City. And all the promotional CG videos are done by Hypermedia in Toronto. You may wanna to check:
www.hypermedia.com

[paulrus]

My recommendation to anyone seriously considering the move is to do so in an educated matter. Don't just read people's opinions and watch some videos to decide.

Take the time to read their laws, read about the culture, read about what you can and cannot do there. Then read about your own country, it's laws, it's rules and what you can and cannot do there. Consider your own religious and social beliefs. Consider your family as well.

Do not assume by watching a pretty video and hearing that women can wear bikini's that it is some sort of utopia. Take the time to do real research. Don't think that you can get off the plane and immediately have the same freedoms and rights that are afforded to you under the US Constitution. You are in THEIR country and you will live by THEIR laws. (anyone remember the kid who was cane'd for spraypainting grafitti on a car a few years ago?)

Consider your lifestyle completely. Do they outlaw books that you enjoy? Do you do business with Jewish owned companies? If so, what ramifications do you face? Are you a Christian or Jew? What rights do you have? Do you practice a newage religion (Wiccan, etc.)? What rights do you have? And even if you are given rights, make sure you understand the social climate towards your particular beliefs.

Be careful and make an informed decision. It's that simple. Just because someone on a message board says "it's great! It's like New York except clean and safe" doesn't make it so. Learn for yourself.

[gigatron]

Man.. I really really hate islamophobia and arabophobia.. gah ppl are so ignorant... Why is there need to continue the political aspect :/

I was just interested in finding out more about UAE's media related programs/companies/corporations/business/whatever.. they have tons of tv media and such.. I am wondering if they have (besides say web) other uhm.. digital mediums.. besides movies and commercials.. say.. video games!

I am all out hardcore into video game design and other related endevours :)

Would be interesting to start such a thing or something.. hmm :) This got me thinking even more then that friend who mentioned that she would like to live in UAE :D!!

[paulrus]

I'm not sure if your post was directed at me or not. If it was, I'm not sure how you could see "islamophobia" or "arabophobia" in my post. It was a general request for precautions and applies to moving to any country or even moving to another city.

For example, years ago when I was looking for a university I looked into one located in city in a sunshine state with easy access to beaches, nightlife, etc. The school had a good film program, so why should I bother to do any further research? Well I soon after moving there I found that women were being raped and beaten on campus. There was at least 1 murder per week in the city, many times there was as many as a murder a day. There were routinely gunshots heard in the background at night. I never bothered to do my research - I looked at the campus, watched a video, and everything seemed great. I didn't do my research and learned too late that things are many times not what they seem on the surface.

I have said nothing anti-arab or anti-islam in my post. I have simply encouraged people to do actual research before deciding what they will do with their life. The term "ugly American" comes from the fact that American's seem to think they can go to any other country and live just like they did in the United States. They ignore cultures, laws, and social expectations. Americans are very "ME" centered and then are totally taken by surprise when they are accused of doing something wrong. (did you know that chewing gum in public is illegal in Singapore?)

People in the film/video/CG industries are very tolerant of cultures, beliefs, etc. But how will you deal with it when you are tolerant of their lifestyle, but they don't tolerate yours? Working in the film industry, I've had gay friends, lesbian friends, wiccan friends, strict vegitarian friends, pot-smoking Deadhead friends, newage gaia worshiping friends, Orthodox Jewish friends, strict Catholic friends, and so forth. Each of these people would need to seriously consider their lifestyle and whether or not it would cause problems if they were to move to this city.

That statement goes for moving to any country in the world. Don't assume that because you have the freedom to live a certain way in the United States that you'll have the same level of freedom elsewhere.

Again, I think the best option for anyone considering the move should do their own research and form their own opinions.

I have done my own research and have formed my own opinion of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

[quid]

I don't know paulrus, but that could have been directed at any number of posts and maybe not yours. Personally I prefer it when people wear their opinions/biases on their sleaves rather than wimping around issues. That way you know what you're dealing with from the get go. This politically correct garbage just muddies the waters. I for one know I have some serious, serious issues with some aspects of Muslim culture in general. However, I'd still like to go and live there and I'm sure if I did, I'd come out of it better. Throwing yourself into sittuations that you're not prepared for, as paulrus described earlier, can be difficult and dangerous, but it can also be great all at the same time. I moved to rural Mexico for almost 2 years and I was nearly 100 percent not ready for it. I had tons of problems and few joys and I nearly died there, but at the same time I never fealt so alive. I know it sounds stupid to say this, but not taking any risks is a sterile waking dead existense. Most of the people who visit CGtalk are artists and they and their art would benifit from thowing themselves into some odd sittuations and living a bit, even if it hurts. And anyway from the looks of it this Dubai media city thing doesn't really seem like it'd hardly shock anyone.

[paulrus]

Just to correct your use of the term "wears his heart on his sleeve"... Shakespear's intention by that phrase was to mean that the person in question was heartless. It is commonly misused to mean that a person shows their true feelings openly, but that is an incorrect usage of the phrase - just as people misunderstanding "Wherefore art though Romeo?". It has not ever meant "Where are you Romeo" it means "WHY are you Romeo" as in "Why did it have to turn out that you're an enemy of my family?".

And unfortunately you're proving my point when you write:

And anyway from the looks of it this Dubai media city thing doesn't really seem like it'd hardly shock anyone.

"From the looks of it" certainly sounds like "by appearances only".

For me, my own research into who Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan supports financially has lead me to conclude that I could never live in such a place, just as I could never do business with David Duke for very similar reasons.

But that's the reason it's wise for people to do their own research and decide for themselves what they can and cannot live with. As you said, you have serious problems with the muslim religion. And you have every right to that view. Many people have no problem with it and would be very happy living in this city. But to make a decision without having all the facts first is not wise.

In Singapore getting caught doing any drugs lands you a minimum of 5 years in jail. In the UAE selling drugs gets you the death penalty. Also, many US prescription drugs are considered illegal narcotics in the UAE.

In the UAE it is a criminal offence to eat, drink or smoke in public during Ramadan from sunrise to sunset. Is that something you are ready and willing to live with?

Did you know that non-UAE residents who are arrested are not allowed to post bail?

There is a lot to think about. That's all.

[keltuzar]

Ok a question people, isnt this for new media and film editing? What about computer animators or modellers? I was in Dubai and this was there for the last 5 years and they catered only to web design and broadcasting. So what hope is there for me as an animator?

[nadeemmar]

In the UAE it is a criminal offence to eat, drink or smoke in public during Ramadan from sunrise to sunset. Is that something you are ready and willing to live with?

criminal offence:surprised
no one will kill you if you eat in public during the fasting
but eating while thousands of people around you are fasting, is some how rude
BTW don't you christians fast
yes you do, i know a lot of christians,arabs and nonarabs who fast for 40 days
and while they are fasting i don't eat meat infront of them
you need to respect others cultures my freind.
BTW do you want to do 3d there or sell drugs?, i don't understand
do selling drugs in the west is one of ur everyday activity
so you can't live without it.

CONTRADICTION

thing i noticed, people know nothing about islam and arabs

Did you know that non-UAE residents who are arrested are not allowed to post bail?
WOW new news, from where do you get ur information?!!!!!!
funny really funny

what next? ..... do we eat human flesh?!!

BTW i live in dubai,syrian so non-UAE resident;)
another thing
in my university there is many professors from USA
if you want i can give u emails
they are american christians, they can give u information about UAE

peace

[quid]

paulrus--you sound like somebody who may have a copy of the OED (http://dictionary.oed.com/) laying around. I always wanted one of those. Thanks for the info. I did not know that one. Words and expression change meaning over time and I generally except their most current meaning. Except when someone calls somebody a dork. That always cracks me up because I know the original meaning stems from the naming of a whale's penis, but of course that is not the interpretation (unfortunately). In any case I do see your point. If what you say is true, then UAE has some seriously screwed (another fun word) laws, as do most countries who do not make the separation between the church/mosque and state (the US is heading down that road by the way).
I made my remarks because I think that it's good to try things. I don't know... maybe Green Eggs and Ham (http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0394800168/ref=sib_dp_pt/104-1797751-7803931#reader-link) had too much of an impact on me as a child.

[paulrus]

Originally posted by nadeemmar
criminal offence:surprised
no one will kill you if you eat in public during the fasting
but eating while thousands of people around you are fasting, is some how rude


Exactly my point. If you are going to move to a country that has this law you must be prepared to RESPECT IT. That was what I was saying all along. Do not move to a country and become the UGLY AMERICAN who thinks they can do whatever they want without ramifications. READ what I write and don't put your own hysterical ideas into my words.

Originally posted by nadeemmar


WOW new news, from where do you get ur information?!!!!!!


As I said. I did my research:

http://www.usembabu.gov.ae/wwwhcpitu.html
(too long to quote everything, just read it all - here are some exerpts:)

"A number of drugs normally taken under a doctor's supervision in the United States are classified as narcotics in the U.A.E. "

"In addition, the U.A.E's tough anti-narcotics program also includes poppy seeds, widely used in other cultures, including the U.S., for culinary purposes, on its list of controlled substances."

"Persons found to possess even very small quantities of the controlled substances (like poppy seeds that are on your morning muffin or bagle) listed by the U.A.E are subject to prosecution by the authorities and may be given lengthy prison terms of up to 15 years."

"Drinking or possession of alcohol without a Ministry of Interior liquor permit is illegal and could result in arrest and/or fines and imprisonment."

Also, for example, if you are a Christian and you simply ask someone if they'd like to go to church with you, you face legal ramifications:

"While individuals are free to worship as they choose, and facilities are available for that purpose, religious proselytizing is not permitted. Persons violating this law, **even unknowingly**, may be imprisoned."

"Country-wide traffic laws impose stringent penalties for certain violations, particularly driving under the influence of alcohol. Penalties may include hefty jail sentences and fines, and, for Muslims (even those holding U.S. citizenship), ***lashings***." (that's being whipped for those without a dictionary handy)

http://www.thesite.org/youthnet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=231&a=1451

"In the UAE it is a criminal offence to eat, drink or smoke in public during Ramadan from sunrise to sunset. "

http://www.geocities.com/forget_drugs/UAElaws.html

"Persons violating the UAE laws, **even unknowingly**, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. "

http://www.nzdf.org.nz/update/messages/1064.htm

"In the United Arab Emirates, the Foreign Office says that 'the penalties for consuming drugs are severe, and can include the **death penalty**. Visitors are also warned not to consume illegal drugs before travelling to the UAE'."


Originally posted by nadeemmar

what next? ..... do we eat human flesh?!!


I'm not sure why you are getting so hysterical when all I've done is ask people to excercise caution when considering moving to a foreign cournty. I have never said that *I* want to use or sell drugs in the UAE. Personally I do neither of these things and wish the US had harsher penalties for it. BUT, working in the film industry has exposed me to people with various backgrounds. Maybe it seems crazy to you, but there are a LOT of people who are occasional pot smokers in the film industry in the US. There are a LOT of people in the US who don't think twice about other people's cultures and end up being the UGLY AMERICAN because of it. I was personally mortified by American's when I was in Japan because they routinely would offend every Japanese person who could hear them because they ignored Japanese social customs.

It's amazing to me that you've become so defensive when my entire point was that people should be PREPARED to respect another culture before moving there. That American's should NOT go somewhere and ignore the rules, laws and social customs of a country. That is makes ALL Americans look bad when there is an UGLY AMERICAN around. The only way to prevent problems is to be informed. I'm not sure why you've become so hostile and defensive over that. I've never said that people should not move there. I have simply said that before someone makes a life-altering decision, they should know what they're doing and be prepared to live by the rules, regulations and social expectations of their new home.

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Thread closed.

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