Israel
Film Locations. Israel is a small country offering a vast variety of locations in close proximity to each other. From the main production centre Tel Aviv it's a short 2hr drive to the Dead Sea and Negev Desert. It's a 3hr drive to the Arava Desert and a 4hr drive to Eilat and the Red Sea. Tel Aviv is a modern western city offering a variety of exotic and contemporary locations. Israel is also well known for its historic locations: The 3000 years old biblical city of Jerusalem, Roman ruins of Caesarea, the Sea of Galilee, Jaffa, Bethlehem, Nazareth, desert oasis and much more.
Permits for most locations usually take no longer than two weeks. There are some difficulties in filming nearby army bases, but even those locations can be reached with some patience.
When to shoot? Israel has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and cool wet winters.
For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Please contact us for more specific weather and sun path information.
Costs. The Israeli Sheqel is quite strong. Depending on the project, Israel can be one of the more expensive service centres in the Middle East. That said, Israel is unique to the Middle East in that it is an established western service centre.
Talent. Israel has both union and non-union talent. The rules are quite similar to those used in Germany and France.
Israel is made up of a great diversity of cultures. Jewish people have come from all ends of the globe and thus formed a wonderful mosaic of faces, ethnicities and cultures.
To view an example of some of local talent looks please visit:
Bruria Cast
Zohar Agency
Creative talent. Israel has some talented local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers.
Please contact us for recommended directors, DoP's and photographers for your project.
Crews are unionized. All speak English. The government offers incentives for using local crew.
Fringes. No hidden extras. No fixed premiums apply. We package deals for local crew / talent.
Premiums. Israel works on a ten hour shoot day with a thirty minute break for breakfast and one hour break for lunch. It's a six day week, whereby Friday is limited to daylight time only. Crew must be given eleven hours rest between each day of filming.
Equipment. Israel is Arri based although Panavision equipment can be easily brought in from European rental houses. Please visit here for an example of locally available equipment:
Movie Mobile
Art department and set construction are up to international standards. Large scale constructions are expensive to produce locally compared to somewhere like Eastern Europe. However small scale construction is top class.
Studios. There are four main large sized studios, and a number of smaller sized spaces.
Backlots. At present no backlots exist in Israel.
Tax Incentives. The government is currently passing new legislations to promote and facilitate the filming of more foreign productions mainly for feature films and documentaries.
Film Stock. Only Kodak is available locally.
Post Production. There are 3 main post facilities. There is also a certificate Kodak lab located 45 minutes drive from Tel Aviv.
Gravity
Broadcast
Geronimo
Visas and Work Permits. Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Contact your local Israeli embassy / representative for more information.
Transportation Infrastructure. Many airlines fly to Israel or have code-share flights with the local airline – ELAL. The transport infrastructure is up to known and expected world standards.
Accommodation. There are many good hotel options in Israel. Recommended hotels in Israel include:
Mamilla Hotel
Hotel Montefiore
Sea Hotel
Nina Cafe Hotel
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Communication. Web posted scouting and casting and videoconferencing.
Safety. Unfortunately the only set-back is the political environment which can interfere at times with convincing the crews and assuring their safety. On the whole, Israel is a safe place to shoot. Media reports are more sensationalist than an accurate portrayal of the situation on the ground.
Tel Aviv is a fun place to shoot with great night life, very good restaurants and beautiful hotels to stay at.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Israel, 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 Israel, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
