FAQ

Want to know more about shooting in Hong Kong and China? Look no further than here

  • We are the most dedicated Hong Kong and China Producer and Production Fixer focused on delivering a successful final outcomes, not just checking off a list of tasks. We provide comprehensive, high-level production support that covers every stage of production, ensuring you receive both the highest quality production services and genuine peace of mind.

    Our expertise is divided into two specialized areas:

    1. Creative & Above-the-Line Support (Vision & Development)

    We start with the impact. Our team offers Creative Direction and project development from inception, ensuring your initial vision is strategically sound and achievable. This includes expert assistance with:

    • Project Creative, Direction, and Development.

    • Accurate, detailed Budgeting production planning and financial forecasting

    2. Execution & Below-the-Line Services (Flawless Delivery)

    We guarantee flawless execution on the ground. We provide all the specialized resources needed to translate your vision into a finished product, effectively and efficiently:

    • Line Production & Elite Crewing: Access to highly qualified, specialized local film and video crew for all departments from the camera department to the glam team.

    • Production Management: Full logistical control, including permits, scheduling, and border clearances for Hong Kong and Mainland China.

    • Specialized Resources:HK-certified drone operators for authorized aerial capture, and premium Camera, Lighting, and Grip Equipment packages.

    • Post-Production: Full support through editing, color grading, and final delivery.

  • Yes. We offer comprehensive Line Production including all crewing needs: Director of Photography (DOP), Gaffers, Grips, Sound, and more. We provide the highest qualified, locally certified film crew for any project scale. Our teams are seasoned professionals with deep experience navigating the specific production environments of Hong Kong and China.

  • We do not merely identify spots; we manage the entire site logistics and legal access.

    Our Location Management Service:

    • Targeted Scouting: We provide targeted location scouting based on your creative brief and technical needs, delivering detailed high-resolution photos, 360° views, and essential technical data (power access, noise levels, transit).

    • Access & Negotiation: We specialize in negotiating complex access agreements for high-value private, commercial, and governmental locations, optimizing the balance between aesthetic fit and logistical viability.

    • On-Site Coordination: We manage the on-site logistics, including securing temporary storage, coordinating crew access, managing waste disposal, and acting as the official liaison with property owners and local authorities.

    By entrusting us with location management, you guarantee that your chosen backdrop is secured legally, technically feasible, and perfectly integrated into the overall production schedule.

  • Our commitment to a premium, boutique model does not allow the use of basic rate cards or standardized packages. The cost for our services is project-specific and is determined only after a rigorous assessment of your specific technical, creative, and logistical requirements in Hong Kong or China.

  • This is a crucial distinction. Commercial aerial filming in Hong Kong is governed by strict regulations enforced by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD).

    The Rules of Engagement:

    • Sub-120g UAVs: A small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) weighing under 120 grams falls under minimal regulation, generally suitable only for recreational, non-commercial use.

    • Commercial Filming (Over 120g): For any professional-grade drone or operation over 120 grams—which is essential for high-quality production—you must adhere to the formal CAD Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operating conditions.

    • Locally Certified Pilot Requirement: While you can transport your own equipment (UAV), flying it for commercial activity almost always requires supervision by a locally certified pilot operating under a specific CAD authorization framework. Any deviation is a high-risk liability.

    As your Hong Kong Fixer, we eliminate this risk by providing our own fully authorized, CAD-compliant pilots and management systems, ensuring your shoot is legal, safe, and meets all insurance requirements.

  • Yes. Safety and compliance are paramount. We utilize highly qualified and HK Civil Aviation Department (CAD) certified drone operators. We manage all necessary flight clearances and risk assessments to legally capture stunning, safe aerial video production anywhere in the region. Do not risk your project with uncertified operators.

  • Securing the correct work visa is a part of our production management service. While many nationalities enjoy visa-free entry for tourism, engaging in paid filming activity requires a specific permit.

    Key Requirement:

    • Employment Visa: Foreign film crews and contractors intending to work must apply for an employment visa prior to arrival.

    • The ID990 Form: This process requires the completion of the Immigration Department Form ID990(Application for Employment as a Professional), which must be sponsored by a local Hong Kong entity—which we facilitate.

    Our Authority:

    As your local Hong Kong Fixer, we manage this process end-to-end. We guide you through the documentation, act as the local sponsor, and liaise directly with the Immigration Department to ensure full compliance, allowing your crew to enter and work legally without delay.

  • Yes, securing the correct filming authorization and visa for Mainland China is a highly complex, multi-stage process that is fundamentally different from Hong Kong. Travel visas (like an L-Visa or M-Visa) are illegal for filming activity.

    The Reality of China Filming Visas:

    • Mandatory J-Visa: Foreign film crews must apply for a J-Visa (Journalist Visa), typically the J-2 Visa for short-term coverage.

    • Governmental Pre-Approval: The visa process cannot begin until your entire project—including the script, detailed itinerary, equipment list, and crew list—has been reviewed and pre-approved by the China Film Administration (CFA) or the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) office.

    • Time Commitment: Unlike HK permits, this process requires significant lead time, often taking 6 to 12 weeks for permit approval alone, plus additional weeks for visa issuance.

    • Our Position: Due to this extreme regulatory complexity and the sensitive nature of the work, we typically leverage our network to connect clients directly with our trusted, proven China-based co-production partners. They specialize in the mandatory CFA/MFA liaison, local sponsorship, and legal compliance required to secure the necessary J-Visas and filming permits, minimizing your risk exposure.

  • Absolutely. We specialize in providing access to the highest-tier production technology available in the region. Our local network and purchasing power ensure your project has the technical edge required.

    Advanced Sourcing Capabilities:

    • Cutting-Edge Studios: We secure immediate access to Soundstages, advanced LED Walls, and full Xtended Reality (XR) Studios, accommodating productions that demand virtual or complex in-camera effects.

    • Specialized Camera Systems: We source niche equipment, including advanced Robotics Camera Systems, high-speed Super Slow-Motion Cameras, and the latest cinematic optics, managing all local customs and logistics.

    • Full cinematic equipment rental network: We supply all standard grip, lighting, and sound gear, eliminating the need for costly international rentals and shipping delays.

  • Ownership and rights are determined by the specific services rendered, as clearly defined in your executed contract:

    1. Production Services (Line Production, Crewing, Equipment):

    • The client retains full ownership of all final footage and corresponding usage rights.

    • The final, legal transfer of this intellectual property is explicitly contingent upon and activated only by the receipt of the final, outstanding service payment. This protects both your right to the content and our right to compensation.

    2. Creative Services (Direction, Development, Artistry):

    • For services involving original ideation, direction, or artistry, the ownership and usage rights are subject to specific negotiation and will be detailed in the creative contract addendum.

    • In many cases, the underlying copyright or ownership may remain with the Director or Artist, while the client secures a comprehensive, exclusive, and worldwide usage license.

  • Hong Kong is fundamentally shoot-friendly, efficient, and well-equipped, but it presents specific logistical and legal challenges that require expert management:

    • Logistical Complexity (Large Sets): For large-footprint sets, such as those requiring road closures, large setups, or traffic control, the process is highly complex. It involves coordination with multiple government departments, including the Police, and requires significant lead time and robust management.

    • Permit Management (Small Shoots): Conversely, for small, unobtrusive documentary-style or news shoots, the process is streamlined; a basic Police notification is often recommended to ensure smooth operation, demonstrating the government's generally supportive stance.

    • Cost of Access: Due to Hong Kong's extremely high land value, securing certain commercial or premium locations access can be expensive, necessitating precise budgeting and negotiation skills.

    • Legal Compliance: All projects must adhere strictly to local laws. This includes ensuring all footage and production activity comply with the relevant local ordinances, including the National Security Law, a non-negotiable requirement for every project we manage.

  • Yes, this is a core component of our Line Production management service. Navigating international customs is the first physical barrier to your production—we guarantee it is handled flawlessly.

    The Hong Kong Advantage:

    • Tax-Free Port: Hong Kong is a free port and does not levy customs tariffs, VAT, or duties on the temporary import of professional filming equipment. This eliminates the major tax liabilities and complicated deposit schemes found elsewhere.

    • ATA Carnet Recommendation: We strongly recommend securing an ATA Carnet from your home country. While Hong Kong is duty-free, the Carnet serves as a streamlined, internationally recognized declaration for your equipment's temporary import.

    • Streamlined Airport Process: We guide you to the correct Customs Duty Office at the Arrival Hall of HKIA (Hong Kong International Airport) immediately after luggage clearance for the required Carnet endorsement, a process that is designed for maximum efficiency.

  • Our commitment to seamless logistics includes a dedicated, specialized production fleet managed by professional production drivers. Our rates are completely all-inclusive, covering all associated costs such as tunnel fees and parking, eliminating surprise expenditures.

    Our Specialized Fleet:

    • Luxury Production Vans: High-end transport for talent and key executives, including 6-seater luxury vans (Toyota Alphard or equivalent), providing privacy and comfort.

    • Crew and Equipment Transport: Highly functional 7-seater crew vans configured with ample space for medium-sized equipment kits, balancing personnel and gear needs.

    • Heavy Duty Trucks: 5.5-ton trucks with platforms and 9-ton trucks with platforms for large lighting, grip, and set cargo, ensuring full capacity for major setups.

    • Specialized Camera Vehicles: Dedicated camera cars (for grip systems) and specific picture cars that can be filmed, sourced and managed for complex action and dynamic coverage.