Portugal
Locations. Old city, modern architecture, industrial looks, palaces, medieval castles, beaches, sea, forests, lakes, rivers, mountains, farms and great car roads. The Azores islands.
Lisbon is the main production centre.
Permits. City hall typically requires 6 working days for processing permits. Expo requires 1-2 days. It is not possible to shoot at Expo on weekends or public holidays. Beaches require 1-2 days for permits. The city does not require up front payment for locations so we are able to file for permission for several locations so that clients have options up to the final days before the shoot.
When to shoot? Portugal has temperate weather all year round. Summer weather peaks from June - September with very good light for filming. Portugal gets minimal rainfall usually in March - April & November. Northern Portugal is more prone to rain than the south.
For monthly weather statistics please see here: http://www.gaisma.com/en/dir/pt-country.html
Please contact us for more specific weather and sun path information.
Costs. Portugal is one of the least expensive service centres in Western Europe. Portugal typcially comes in less expensive then Spain. Portugal trades in Euros.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.
Portugal has a relatively small but multicultural talent pool.
To view examples of the local talent looks
please visit:
Central Models - http://www.centralmodels.pt/
L'Agence - http://www.lagence.pt/
Just - http://www.just.pt/
Elite Lisbon - http://www.elitelisbon.com/
Creative talent. Portugal has a small but good pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Its close proximity to other major European production centres allows easy access to those pools of creative talent should you ever need to look further.
Please contact us for recommended directors, DoP's and photographers for your project.
Crews are non union. Crews speak fluent English and are of a high international standard as you would expect anywhere in Western Europe. There is a considerable depth of good local crews and in most cases there is no need to bring key crew from abroad.
Fringes. No hidden extras.
Premiums. Crews work a 10 hour day with 1 hour lunch included. Time and a half after 10 hours. Double time after 16 hours. Rest period between days worked is 8 hours. Saturday is time and a half. Sunday is double time. Models are an hourly rate after 10 hours depending on the agreement.
Equipment. All standard equipment is available with the exception of the Russian Arm, Gyron and Flying Cam and high speed cameras which can easily be brought in from larger nearby European production centres. Please see here for examples of some local equipment houses:
Cinemate - http://www.cinemate.pt/
Nova Imagem - http://www.novaimagem.pt/
Smiling - http://www.smiling.pt/
Art department and set construction is of a very high standard in Portugal. The House of Spirits was filmed in Portugal, as an example of the quality of local work.
Studios There are some very good studios in Portugal, some with their own motion control. Please see here for examples:
Tobis - http://www.tobis.pt/
Cinemate - http://www.cinemate.pt/
Nova Imagem - http://www.novaimagem.pt/
Smiling - http://www.smiling.pt/
Backlots. At present no backlots exist in Portugal.
Tax Incentives. The local 20% VAT is not passed on to the client. The local service company pays it and recovers the amount directly from the government.
Film Stock. Both Fuji and Kodak are available locally.
Post Production. Quality of post production is also good. Please see here for local company examples:
Tobis - http://www.tobis.pt/
Nova Imagem - http://www.novaimagem.pt/
Visas and Work Permits. Portugal is a member of the EU. Only certain countries need visas and there is no need for work permits. Contact your local Portuguese embassy / representative for more information.
Transportation Infrastructure is all up to known and expected world standards. Portugal is serviced well from many airports across Europe and the world.
Accommodation. Recommended Lisbon hotels include:
Heritage - http://www.heritage.pt/
Fontana Park Hotel - http://www.fontanaparkhotel.com/
Jeronimos - http://www.jeronimos8.com/
Hotel Cascais - http://www.cascaismirage.com/
Penha Longa - http://www.penhalonga.com/
Pestana Palace - http://www.pestana.com/hotels/en/hotels/europe/
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Communication. Web posted casting, scouting and videoconferencing.
Safety. Portugal is a very safe and reliable filming centre.
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer in Portugal, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
