East Timor
Film Locations. East Timor is a small country comprising of the Eastern part of the Island of Timor as well as several smaller islands. Indonesia lies to the north and Australia to the south. East Timor offers traditional indigenous villages, rivers, beaches, national parks, and arid mountainous looks.
Permits are typically same day
or within a couple of days. Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach.
When to shoot? East Timor has a tropical climate with the wet monsoon period from December to April. The monsoon season can be very wet, making travel difficult, particularly if you get off the main routes where unsealed roads can become impassable and rivers uncrossable.
For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Please contact us for more specific weather and sun path information.
Costs. The favorable exchange rate means that your currency goes far in East Timor. Locations and local talent are inexpensive. The greatest cost is the need to bring in your key crew and equipment. Jakarta and Brisbane are the closest major production centres.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are always negotiable. Day rates are very reasonable and negotiated on a personal basis.
Casting facilities are undeveloped in East Timor so street casting is required.
East Timor consists of a number of distinct ethnic groups, most of whom are of mixed Malayo-Polynesian and Melanesian/Papuan descent.
Creative talent. East Timor has a no pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers.
Please contact us for recommended directors, DoP's and photographers for your project.
Crews are also non-union.
The depth of local crews is limited. It is best to bring your key crew from
abroad.
Fringes and Premiums. No hidden extras. No fixed premiums apply. We package deals for local crew / talent.
Equipment needs to be brought in from abroad. Brisbane and Jakarta are the closest major production centres.
Art department and set construction is very limited in East Timor. Art department key crew is best brought in from abroad. Supporting crews are skilled and resourceful.
Studios and Backlots do not exist at present.
Tax Incentives. There are no tax incentives for foreign feature films or commercials shooting in East Timor.
Film Stock. No film stock available locally. Must be brought from abroad.
Post Production. No post production facilities exist.
Visas and Work Permits. Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Contact your local East Timorese embassy / representative for more information.
Transportation. The road
system is quite undeveloped. Air services into Dili are still very limited. Air North flies from Darwin, Australia, daily (flight time two hours), but from the rest of the world it's a case of flying into Bali and then taking one of Merpati's Denpasar-Dili flights (four flights per week).
Accommodation. Recommended hotels in Dili include:
Timor Plaza
Hotel Esplanada
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Communication. Web posted casting, scouting and videoconferencing.
Safety. At present non-essential travel to East Timor is best avoided because of the fragile security situation and the risk of violent civil unrest. Most location looks can be replicated in other safer and more established service centres. If you must shoot in East Timor then appropriate personal security measures are recommended.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in East Timor, please see below:
Our production service companies, line producers and fixers have serviced TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries for:
AXA Belgium, BBC UK, Canon Singapore, Coca Cola Indonesia, Concord Canada, Dove Malaysia, Deutche Bank Germany, Dressman Sweden, Evian France, HBO USA, Heineken Ireland, Hyundai Korea, Intercontinental Hotels Global, ITC India, Kirin Japan, Kraft USA, Landrover UK, LG Korea, Meunil China, McDonalds Australia, MUFG Japan, Nikon Hong Kong, Nokia China, Orange Moblie Slovakia, Philips Netherlands, Proctor & Gamble USA, Chery Riich China, Rimowa Germany, Samsung Korea, Sinoland Hong Kong, Skipper Italy, Smirnoff USA, Sony United Arab Emirates, Stella Russia, Telefonica Spain, Vidal Sassoon China, Virgin Media UK, and much more.
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer in East Timor, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
