Notes from the studio
Brand, content, and production — what we're learning making work for brands across the UAE.
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01
Ramadan 2027 starts in February. Here's the calendar, built backwards.
Ramadan 2027 is expected around 6–8 February. The production timeline for UAE brands, working backwards from day one — when to lock creative, shoot, and book media.
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02
What influencers charge in the UAE — and the permit that's now everyone's problem
Real UAE influencer rate bands by follower tier, what a fee actually buys you, and the Advertiser Permit that became mandatory in February 2026.
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03
How to brief a production company (steal our template)
The eleven things a production brief needs, the four everyone leaves out, and why 'surprise us' is the most expensive sentence in the process. Copy the template.
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04
Filming permits in Dubai: what you need, what it costs, how long it takes
A working producer's guide to Dubai filming permits — the DFTC process, real fee ranges, private-location NOCs, drone approvals, and the lead time to actually plan for.
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05
Will AI replace your content agency? The honest 2026 answer
What AI genuinely does for brand content in 2026, where it still produces slop, and why the winning setup pairs a brand-trained model with human taste.
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06
What a property launch film costs in Dubai
Property launch film pricing in Dubai — the real 2026 price bands, what drives the number, and why every off-plan launch video looks the same.
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07
What social media management actually costs in Dubai
The real monthly rates for social media management in Dubai — what each price band buys, why cheap retainers fail, and where budgets leak in 2026.
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08
What a brand film actually costs in Dubai
A straight breakdown of brand film pricing in Dubai — what drives the number, where budgets get wasted, and what you should actually pay for in 2026.