El Salvador
Film Locations. El Salvador offers volcanoes, black sand beaches, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, mountains, Mayan ruins, Spanish colonial looks, coffee plantations.
Permits are typically same day
or within a couple of days.
When to shoot? The climate varies from tropical in the lowlands to temperate in the mountains. Otherwise there is very little seasonal change. The rainy season extends from May to October. Almost all the annual rainfall occurs during this time.
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 El Salvador. Locations, local talent and support crew are inexpensive but since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable. Day rates are very reasonable and negotiated on a personal basis.
Casting facilities are rather undeveloped in El Salvador so street casting is often required.
El Salvador offers mostly Mestizo looks (mixed Amerindian and Spanish). All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad.
Creative talent. El Salvador has no local directors and directors of photography.
Please contact us for recommended directors and DoP's for your project.
Crews are also non-union.
Local crew experience is limited and most do not speak fluent English. It is best to bring in 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.
Art Department and construction is very limited in El Salvador. Key crew are best brought in from abroad.
Studios and backlots at present do not exist in El Salvador.
Tax Incentives. There are no tax incentives for foreign feature films or commercials shooting in El Salvador.
Film Stock. No film stock available locally. Best to bring in from Miami or Mexico which have both Fuji and Kodak available.
Post Production. No post production facilities exist at present.
Visas and Work Permits. Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Contact your local El Salvadorian embassy or representative for more information.
Transportation. The road
system is quite undeveloped. The main international airlines serving El Salvador are TACA, Copa Air, Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, and American Airlines.
Accommodation. Recommended hotels in San Salvador include:
Villa del Angel Hotel
InterContinental Real San Salvador
Hilton Princess
Please contact us for corporate rates.
Communication. Web posted casting, scouting and videoconferencing.
Safety. Like in most of the poorer Latin American countries, a certain amount of street crime does exist centered mostly in the bigger cities. However it's fair to say that El Salvador on the whole is a safe place
for filming.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in El Salvador, 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 El Salvador, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
