Brazil
Locations. Outside of the major cities you can find architecture (Colonial, Modernist, Post-modern), heavy Industry / mining, diverse and extensive coastline, rivers and waterfalls, diverse forest / jungle looks, mountains and canyons.
From Sao Paulo - American and unique urban and residential looks, rooftops / heliports, parks, deciduous forest, dramatic car roads and bridges, farmland, plantations (coffee / rice / sugar / soya), sea port (Santos), sport / football stadiums, Formula 1 racetrack, train stations.
From Rio de Janeiro - European style urban, suburban / residential, parks, Atlantic rainforest, beaches (urban and national park), harbour / marina, roads and bridges, sea port (Rio), sport / football stadiums, train stations.
Permits. Timing and restrictions depend on the location but most permits are easy to obtain and can be processed in a couple of days. There are no unusual restrictions but in major city centres it is advisable to shoot on the weekends for greater control of traffic and five days notice are required to block streets.
When to shoot? Brazil has a semi-tropical climate so you can shoot throughout the year. As it is such a huge country, there is more than one climate from the arid interior to the wet Amazon.
For monthly weather statistics please see: http://www.gaisma.com/en/dir/br-country.html
Please contact us for more specific weather and sun path information.
Costs. The recent fall of the Brazilian Real against major world currencies, including 30% against the USD, has turned Brazil into a much more cost competitive option for projects. Costs have fallen so much so that Brazil is often now coming in cheaper than Argentina.
Talent is both union and non-union. However the union does not have strict rules regarding rates and deals are made through free negotiation. It is possible to street-cast with no interference from unions.
As there is no strong union controlling rates, the talent buyouts vary enormously. A worldwide TV/internet buyout for a lead part may cost USD 2,000 for street-cast talent or USD 20,000 for a top-level model.
Talent is incredibly multi-cultural, especially in Sao Paulo, which, within its population of 22 million, is similar to big US cities like New York and Los Angeles. All Asian nations are represented, especially Japan and Korea, Nordic and German types, Irish red-heads, Latin and Southern European, Afro-Brazilians, Turkish and Arab.
To view an example of some of local talent looks please visit the following:
Elite Model - http://www.elitemodel.com.br/
Ford Models - http://www.fordmodels.com.br/
Mega Models - http://www.megamodels.com.br/
Principo do Talento - http://www.principiodotalento.com.br/
Retrato Faldo Casting - http://www.retratofaladocasting.com/
Creative talent. There are a couple of directors working for international markets but it is not common. There are about six good options of local directors of photography working at top international level including a few Oscar nominees like Lauro Escorel and Cesar Charlone as well as award-winning commercial DoP’s like Marcelo Durst. There are also several good stills photographers based in Brazil.
Please contact us for recommended directors, DoP's and photographers for your project.
Crews are union. Many speak English and some have worked in the US or UK. The crews we work with are considered exceptional and always highly praised and our close ties with them guarantee availability.
Fringes. There are union fees and social charges amounting to 10%.
Premiums. Shooting day is twelve hours. There is over time but no turnaround for commercials and costs are the same on weekends, nights, holidays, etc.
Equipment. Most camera equipment is Arri but there is also Panavison and Aaton as well as a wide range of HDV cameras. There is a wide selections of cranes, dollies and remote heads. Stabilized heads, camera-cars and shot-makers are of the highest standard. Although there exists some options of motion control and stabilized camera mounts, there is no Spacecam or real Moco gear. For more information please visit the below:
Camera:
Camera Dois - http://www.cameradois.com.br/
JKL Cine - http://www.jklcine.com/
Grip:
Aircam - www.aircam.com.br
Motion - http://www.motion.com.br/main.htm
Trattoria - http://www.trattoria.com/durst/barcelona/
Lighting:
Electra - http://www.electrica.com.br/
Locall - http://www.locall.com/index2.php
Quanta Lighting - http://www.quanta-lighting.com
Art department and set construction. There is excellent art dept and construction available. Most work in Brazil tends to be location orientated rather than building but there is a wide range of professionals and world-class art directors if needed.
Studios. There are three main studio facilities. The first two are considered state of the art and have received huge investment in support of the feature industry.
Cinevideo - http://www.cinevideobr.com.br/
Locall - www.locall.com.br
Novos Estudios - http://www.novosestudios.com.br/
Backlots. There are no back-lots as such and exterior building is done on location when necessary.
Tax Incentives. There are tax incentives for all foreign productions as they are considered an export and most local taxes (which amount to 15%) are not charged. Additional tax incentives are used for financing feature productions via private investment and subsequent tax reductions but it is necessary that the film be a co-production with Brazil and the funding process takes time.
Film Stock. Both Fuji and Kodak are available locally.
Post Production. See below two excellent post facilities. Telecine to PAL or NTSC and latest state-of-the-art equipment.
Casablanca - http://www.cbsp.com.br/
Mega - http://www.estudiosmega.com.br/
Visas and Work Permits. Work visas are necessary for director and DOP. Not for producers, agencies or client who can travel on tourist visas. The process takes a couple of days in Brazil then a couple of days at local consulate. For more information please visit: http://www.ancine.gov.br/cgi/cgilua.exe/sys/start.htm?infoid=627&sid=51. For more specific information contact your local Brazilian embassy / representative.
Transportation Infrastructure is all up to known and expected world standards.
Accommodation. The following film friendly hotels have the best service and style and are well-located. There are also many international chains like Hyatt and Hilton.
Fasano - http://www.fasano.com.br/
Emiliano - http://www.emiliano.com.br/
George V - http://www.george-v.com.br/
Hotel Unique - http://www.uma.como.bz/paro/default.asp
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Communication. Our Brazil locations data-base has over 60,000 photos linked according to type and region for immediate reference. Our location pictures are posted on an intranet web-page updated daily. Casting is posted on the same web-page and linked to FTP files that are opened on clicking the photo. Casting sessions are uploaded for viewing within twelve hours. Video conferencing is available.
Safety. As in most major cities around the world there are certain areas it would be sensible to avoid. On the whole filming in Brazil is a safe experience.
Fantastic location and talent choices, the high standard of production services and the vibrant Latin culture makes Brazil the kind of service centre that clients continue to return to.
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer in Brazil, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
