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Rank: PB Member
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Hello,
Has anyone filmed in Saudi Arabia?
Interested to know how to take film equipment in and out - have heard a lot of stories of under the table payments and equipment being taken.
Saudi Embassy in London have so far not provided any info.
any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!
cheers
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Rank: PB Member
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Depends in which areas you are going. The most important thing to remember in Saudi is that you can often mistake a law for a local custom.
Don't hire anyone on the spot, do all your hiring and booking in advance even if it costs a little extra. Best thing to do is get a decent fixer.
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Rank: PB Member
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Customs chaos there can potentially jeopardise your whole shoot. The whole region is an absolute bloody nightmare getting kit into and out of. As someone has already said, find yourself an A1 fixer on the ground and my advice would be to source kit locally. PM me if you want some extra pointers.
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Rank: PB Member
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I have worked in Saudi Arabia many times. It is very hard to get into the country or do anything unless you have local connections and assistance. A good fixer is the key.
Mark Whatmore
yohomedia.co.uk
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Rank: PB Member
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Depending on where you're shooting you could look at hiring crew/gear out of the UAE. I just worked with a great Dubai-based cameraman who often shoots in Saudi: Steven French website: www.camerasteve.com
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Rank: PB Member
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I can vouch for Steve French, having worked in the past, when we asked him to cover the rugby in Dubai, very good cameraman.
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Rank: PB Member
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Thanks very much for all the info guys. We have an invite from a Saudi company which is very helpful but sounds like a good fixer is the key - can anyone recommend somebody?
Will be in the East of the country near Dammam.
thanks
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Rank: PB Member
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You could try contacting ORTV in London as they have strong contacts and have filmed in Saudi Arabia many times. http://www.ormedia.co.uk
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