Shooting Overseas
A project in a foreign country can be challenging and rewarding. Start by hiring a liaison. Call a news bureau such as ABC, BBC or CNN in the nearest major city. These bureaus often hire freelancers or outside production companies, and will know who is the best. Your liaison, will become an invaluable resource, and can be given the title location manager or similar credit.
If your budget permits, take a pre-production trip. Often countries, especially communist countries such as China, Vietnam and Cuba, require various permits. Many Third World governments require special permission to bring professional equipment into their countries. Generally your liaison is familiar with custom officers at the airport and can handle this for you. Nothing is worse than arriving at 10 p.m. in Cairo along with 25 shipping containers of gear and your liaison is not at the airport to help you through customs!
A pre-production trip includes lots of planning. Often your liaison will want to take you to various official ministries for introductions or official permission. It is recommended that you follow protocol since your experience in that country is minimal.
- China. Shooting in China requires lots of brief chats and pleasantries, such as having tea during the first three or four meetings. You will be ready to discuss business immediately but that’s not how they do it! Also, in China shoots are routed through China Co-production Corporation. It is very bureaucratic; expect to hear thirty “no’s” before you hear a “yes.”
- Vietnam. Most permits are handled locally except for large projects, which are handled by the Ministry of Culture Film Department in Hanoi. This is a very small department of four amazing professionals who are easy to work with and very polite.
- Mid East. Shooting in the Mid East requires lots of patience in obtaining permission. When working in any country and especially the Mid East, visit your Embassy and introduce yourself to the Press or Information Attaché. They can provide useful information, and official and unofficial advice. Establish contacts at your Embassy or Consulate in countries, such as Yeman, that have kidnapping of foreigners. Also, Embassy personal can steer in the right direction for the necessary permissions.
- War Zones. Working in war zones is a different story. In Bosnia, for instance, you first had to register with the U.N. in Zagrab, Croatia, for necessary permits and identification before registering with the Bosnian government office.
Equipment
When entering war zones, take batteries that are 220 volts. If that country has frequent brown outs, then opt for batteries rated 120 volts with voltage converters. Often 180 volts can’t run a camera with a 220-volt power supply or charge a 220-rated battery properly. Voltage regulators are essential for location edit systems and computers. Some cities, such as Ho Chi Minh City, have both 120 volts and 220 volts. Check your power supply with a meter just to be sure.
Lighting
Lighting is another problem. Hire a local lighting company that will know how to deal with various permits and power drops from the electric company. On a shoot in a small town in Taiwan, I waited with my crew for five hours for the power company official to arrive and legally give us a drop with a meter attached. Finally, one of my Taiwanese crew just climbed the pole and tied in to the power. Later when the official arrived, a few dollars smoothed ruffled feathers. Use a local lighting company and let them do what it takes to ensure that appropriate authorities are happy. In major cities in China and Vietnam lighting on location is difficult, since the wiring isn’t rated to handle even the dim bulbs that light the buildings. Take the time to solve these problems before production begins, and always expect the unexpected.
Film Transport
Regarding shooting motion picture film on smaller budget productions, it is often a problem shipping film back to your lab in Europe or the U.S. Have someone travel with the film as accompanied baggage. One problem is the use of x-rays to inspect the cargo. In the U.S. x-ray machines are film safe. In Third World countries machines are often turned up to the maximum ray emission. Ask for your film containers to be hand inspected but there is the chance that they might be inspected again later. Or, pack the film in an igloo container that is larger than the requirements of baggage x-ray machines. Igloo’s largest container fits those requirements in most instances yet fits the airlines requirements for size. Security will require your presence while they hand inspect the contents. Keep this in mind for audiotapes, dat tape and videotape.
Immunizations
Expect the unexpected. Be sure that the crew is fully immunized before production, and check the CDC for any outbreak reports.
One last thing to remember -- be more humble and respectful than usual. Never raise your voice, especially in public, to your foreign counterpart. You could jeopardize your permits to shoot in that country and you’ll be lucky to leave the country with your equipment. In this instance, often the videotape or film is confiscated. Instead, always show patience and calmness. If your shoot is a success, you’ll have foreign crewmembers that will be your friends for life.