Olaus Roe are experts in global filming. We have over 20 years experience in producing compelling images and stories for multinational clients all over the world and we’ve learned what it takes to make an international filming trip a smooth success.
Olaus Roe have a wealth of experience to draw upon when preparing to shoot your video production - no matter the location.
Tags: Corporate film, Showreels
Plan ahead
As soon as you decide that you want to film in a foreign country contact us for an initial assessment of what might be needed to set up the shoot. Here’s a list of things to consider.
Visas & Permits
The very first thing to check is the need for Filming Permits and Visas. In some cases, the application process is complex and can take many weeks or even months! So it’s important to start this process as soon as possible.
Health
Check the country requirements for inoculations & malaria. Some countries require mandatory vaccination certificates for yellow fever.
Safety & Security
Check with the Foreign Office for latest advice on travel and security issues
Logistics
Our production coordinator will set up the logistical and practical needs for your filming trip:
Getting there & back - Travelling when in country - Hiring local transport - Hiring local help if needed - Booking accommodation - Organising permits, visas, insurance, inoculations - Organising local currency - Preparing a Risk Assessment - Preparing a filming schedule - Preparing travel documents: - Equipment shipping list - Carnet or Duplicate list
Hire a Fixer
Often, your local team in country will be able to help but it’s sometimes better to engage a local film fixer who will know all about local customs, transport, safety, & permits, will speak the language and have a network of contacts who can help. In our experience, a good local fixer is invaluable in setting up your foreign location filming trip.
Allow more time
It’s important to understand that when filming abroad, everything just takes more time, especially in developing countries. Small delays in getting from A to B can add up to hours of lost time. There’s often a need to respect local protocol and spend time meeting and greeting our hosts before filming. Being over ambitious in what to achieve in any 1 day often leads to disappointment and frustration. But, by allowing realistic time to accommodate local conditions, and with good planning, we can be very efficient when it comes to filming an interview or an actuality sequence.
More time to check in at airports
We know from experience that checking in with filming equipment and excess baggage takes some extra time. There’s also extra time spent at customs both on departure and arrival at your destination.
We recommend allowing at least 4 hours before take off for departure airports. Clearing customs and immigration on arrival at your destination can vary from 1 hour to most of the day depending on the country you’re visiting. We can normally work out in advance what our likely delay on arrival will be and it’s important to factor this in to the filming schedule.
Commit to filming as early as possible
Confirming an overseas filming trip early means we can get better deals on equipment hire, flights and accommodation which will save you significant money. It also means we can get contributors in place by giving them plenty of notice.
Typical example of a reduced travel kit. We normally have 1 more camera back, so 6 cases in total. 2 are carry on bags, 4 checking bags. By traveling with this smaller, reduced kit, we’re able to keep excess luggage fees down. This kit will also fit into most vehicles. If we’re required to work from the vehicle, it will need to be a large SUV or van. If we’re just using it to travel to locations, it can be a small hatchback.
Excess baggage fees can be £60/70 per case per direction. The BA website give a good guide to this.
