WHAT OUR LOCAL FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT FILMING ON LOCATION IN INDIA
The vast subcontinent, the second most populous country after China and seventh largest by area – offers filmmakers breathtaking landscapes. India’s locations are as diverse as the country is large, from the imposing Himalayas, arid Thar desert in Rajasthan and backwaters of Kerala to the dense forests of Madhya Pradesh, the Hiachal Pradesh and the pristine Gangetic deltas of the Sundarbans in Bengal. It also boasts age- old cultural and heritage sites and myriad man-made splendours, including the Taj Mahal, the ghats (steps) on the bank of the Ganges and the Aga Khan palace.
There are very few countries where you can shoot deserts, mountains, tropical jungles, white- sand beaches, remote tribal villages, sweeping plains and some of the most populous cities on earth in one place.
CLIMATE
It is hot most of the year with regional variations. Tropical on the coast but dry in the north, east, west, and central regions. December to February is the coolest weather, March to June is hot. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in the summer anywhere between June and early October.
COSTS & TAX INCENTIVES
Costs vary depending on where you plan on filming, Mumbai has become very expensive. Otherwise, other parts of India are still relatively cost competitive. Crew costs are low compared to most of the world. Talent is inexpensive. Cities such as Mumbai have very congested traffic which limits the number of possible crew moves in a day, this may increase the number of shoot days required.
In November 2016, the Indian Government launched the Film Facilitation Office, designed to offer a single- window system for filmmakers and to downplay the bureaucratic process.
There are incentives for foreign films, TV and web shows and series that shoot in India, and for films that are co-produced under an official audiovisual treaty signed by the government of India. Incentives are on offer in several states/ regions under individual state policies. Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir are among those offering different incentives to international projects, such as varying percentage-level cash rebates on qualifying production spend or free accommodation pending the volume of work involving local cast, crew, and storyline.
GENERAL FILM PERMITS
India’s federal government have introduced a new type of visa permit, designed exclusively with film professionals in mind. The new (F) visa will allow for stays of up to one year and facilitate multiple entries into the country.
VISAS & WORK PERMITS
Before you apply for a visa, your shoot first needs permission from the India government. Visiting productions must apply for a Ministry of External Affairs Location Permit at their local Indian consulate/embassy. The application must include an invitation letter from an Indian production service company and full project details including synopsis, location list, visiting crew details, equipment list and other relevant information. A simple b-roll shoot can take around 2 weeks to permit; filming at a heritage location such as the Taj Mahal can take up to 6 weeks to permit. This location permit covers the entire crew so it’s important to include all visiting crew members in the same application. Once the permit is approved the visiting crew members will be issued with a collective visa deemed appropriate by authorities. Travel for scouting or meetings does not require prior permission and you can enter on a Business Visa or Journalist-Visa. For crew travelling on Western passports India offers online visa applications.
For long-form projects, India now offers an (F) visa allowing visiting film crews multiple entries for up to one year.
If you are entering India for a scout or other tourist related filming or photography, you can enter under a tourist visa.
WHAT OUR LOCAL FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT FILM CREWS, EQUIPMENT AND TALENT
Film crew
India has a large pool of skilled English- speaking crew with experience of international and Hollywood productions. Indian crew are very hard working, inexpensive and flexible. Key and supporting crews speak English. Separate unions exist for different crews throughout India.
Equipment clearance
Top-of-the-line equipment can easily be picked up in the production hubs of Mumbai, New Dheli, Hyderabad and Chennai, there is no need to fly in gear.
If you are planning on bringing equipment in the ATA carnet system would be the best approach.
Talent
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable. East Indian looks are available in abundance. There is also a pool of East European models based locally, all other talent looks are best cast abroad. There are several good talent agencies in India.
DRONE LAW IN INDIA
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS) are legal to operate in India. A permit is required for commercial operations (except for those in the Nano category flown below 50 feet and those in the Micro category flown below 200 feet.
You can bring a drone with you on the flight in your carry-on bag.