Logo Fiji Film Commission / Photo Credit: Film Fiji - Twitter
FIJI CINEMA… (In the Entertainment
industry. History of Fiji Cinema)
Bruce
Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.
Fiji Cinema
Fiji Film Commission
Fiji Guide
That the first movie to be ever made/shot in Fiji was a
silent movie in 1928 titled ‘The Adorable Outcast’ (released in US as Black
Cargo of the South Sea) by Australian filmmaker, Norman Dawn.
A really expensive movie taking several months in the
making made a huge loss with its worldwide release.
This movie cannot be found anywhere now and is said to
have only two of its reels kept safely.
It is interesting to see even before independence,
Hollywood had started film production in the Pacific.
Fiji only began producing its own feature films in 2004,
and has produced just one to date. Vilsoni Hereniko's The Land Has Eyes (2004)
is set in Rotuma and stars indigenous Rotuman actress Sapeta Taito in her début
role, alongside New Zealand actress Rena Owen.
2004 was also the year in which the film Reel Paradise
(United States) was produced. The film depicts the true story of an American,
John Pierson, setting up a cinema to show films free of charge in Fiji. Boot
Camp (2007), starring Mila Kunis and Peter Stormare, is partly set in Fiji, but
is not a Fiji-made film. Although Fiji has only ever produced one film, the
Fiji Audio Visual Commission aims to attract foreign film-makers and incite
them to use the country as a setting. The Commission stated in July 2008 that
it hoped Fiji would become known as "Bulawood", the Hollywood of the
South Seas.
Fiji has a large ethnic Indian minority, and Bollywood
films are popular both among Indo-Fijians and indigenous Fijians, with some
being dubbed in Fijian.
Emerge Films Solutions
Fiji Film & Photography Production Services
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production
company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in
Fiji? We have fully vetted, locally based fixers, service producers, directors,
DP’s, videographers, cameramen, photographers, sound operators, production
drivers, and a range of other film crew. Contact us for referrals, questions,
cost estimates and references.
Want to know more about shooting in Fiji? See below for an
introduction to Fiji locations, permits, when to shoot, costs, talent, crews,
equipment, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits,
film friendly hotels, transport, communications and safety advice.
Fiji Film Locations
Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific east of
Vanuatu, west of Tonga and south of Tuvalu. The country occupies an archipelago
of about 322 islands.
Fiji offers a variety of locations including the
palm-lined white sand paradise island beaches of the Mamanuca Islands, surf
breaks, coral reefs, lagoons, tropical islands, lush rainforests, pine forests,
rolling hills, rivers, waterfalls, caves, unique rock formations, resorts,
luxury villas, and impressive colonial architecture such as the newly renovated
Grand Pacific Hotel.
The main island (Viti Levu) is divided into two different
weather patterns. The dry west side (Nadi side), features rolling grass covered
hills, pine forests, mountains and many of the country’s beaches, and resorts.
The wet east side of the island (Suva side) features lush rain forest, jungle,
lakes, rivers and waterfalls.
Taveuni and Beqa are two lesser-known islands.
Suva and Nadi are the main production centers.
Fiji has hosted films such as Adrift, The Blue Lagoon, and
Cast Away, as well as a long list of TV shows including Survivor Fiji.
Visiting productions are required to have a Fiji Film
Permit. Our Fijian fixer / service producer will require a project synopsis,
company details, visiting crew passport information, dates, and other important
project information. The fixer / producer will include a supporting letter and
submit the application. 2 days is usually enough for processing once all
paperwork is submitted. This is a single permit that is valid for the entirety
of the shoot.
Fiji Film Location Permits
Fiji film location permits are required for filming at any
public locations in Fiji. Island-wide permits for public locations are
possible. Permits not requiring exclusive use of property are quick and easy to
obtain. Fiji is a very film-friendly country so most public locations are free.
Allow at least 7 days to permit locations that require street closures, builds
or other exclusive use of public space. Allow at least 14 days to permit aerial
shoots or filming in national parks. Please contact us for location specific
information.
Visiting productions are required to have a Fiji Film
Permit. See the below “Visas and Work Permits” section for more information.
When to Shoot?
Fiji offers year round long sunny shoot days. November to
April is the summer wet season which can be humid and very hot. During this
time the water is at its warmest and the sea is calm. May to October is the
winter dry season and a good time to film if you’re looking for best underwater
visibility and the largest surf breaks. The in-between periods of April / May
and October / November are the best months to film for pleasant tropical island
conditions. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
The Outrigger International Competition take place in
November in Nadi. The Bula Festival celebrates the islands heritage in July.
Fiji’s Indian community celebrate Diwali (The Festival of Lights) in October.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. Locations and talent costs are inexpensive. Fiji
also has a very generous rebate program that a wide variety of projects may be
eligible for. That said, the film infrastructure is still relatively
undeveloped, so some key crew and equipment may need to be brought in from abroad,
which will add to the cost of filming. Travel to remote islands can also add
considerably to the cost of shooting. Fortunately most paradise island looks
can be found on the main island. Our Fijian fixer / service producer will
negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support
to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. Fiji offers a very generous rebate of 47%
on qualifying production expenditure. The rebate is available for feature
films, TV series and even commercial projects. By international standards,
minimal spend requirements are very low and qualifying spend includes a wide
variety of line items. Fiji is open for business. See here for more details.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Fiji has a very small pool of local directors,
videographers and stills photographers. Likewise, Fiji has a small pool of
internationally experienced crew. Should you require additional crew Australia
and New Zealand offer extensive options? Brisbane and Auckland are the closest
major production centers, a 3.5hr flight away.
Contact us if you are looking for a director, DP,
photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant
(focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA /
runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Fiji.
Talent. Day rates and buyouts are negotiated on a personal
basis. Casting facilities are undeveloped. Fiji offers mostly Pacific Islander
looks but some East Indian and Caucasian looks are also available. Experienced
models and actors generally need to be brought in from abroad with Australia
(Brisbane) and New Zealand (Auckland) the closest production centers.
Fiji Film Equipment
Equipment. Fiji has some standard grip, lighting and
camera equipment available locally including RED cameras, jibs, and larger
lights. Fiji does not charge a duty on productions bringing in their own
equipment. Fiji is not an ATA carnet country. Our Fijian fixer / service
producer can arrange hassle-free customs clearance. Please send us a full
equipment list and allow at least 7 days to organize paperwork.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction. Mainly local looks
available. Some good local production designers. Good set construction crews.
Studios and Backlots. None exist at present but can
improvise with warehouse space.
Post Production. None available locally. Australia and New
Zealand are the closest major production centers.
Visas & Work Permits
Visiting productions are required to have a Fiji Film
Permit. Our Fijian fixer / service producer will require a project synopsis,
company details, visiting crew passport information, dates, and other important
project information. The fixer / producer will include a supporting letter and
submit the application. 2 days is usually enough for processing once all
paperwork is submitted. This is a single permit that is valid for the entirety
of the shoot. The Fiji Film Permit will already be registered with immigration
officials when you arrive.
Most passport holders can enter visa-free. Crews coming in
for short projects such as commercials and travel documentaries just tick the
film / cinema box on the arrival card at the port of entry. Crews coming in to
work on TV series and feature films will need short term work permits. In these
cases usually a Two Week Visitors Visa is issued and then an application is
made for the short term work permit.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Several international
carriers service regular direct flights to Fiji. Nadi and Suva are only 4 hours
flight from Australia, 3 hours from New Zealand, and 10 hours from Los Angeles.
Domestic travel is best achieved by road, boat and plane.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Fiji include:
- Shangri La
- Sheraton Fiji
- Outrigger
- Tavarau
- Toberua
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills
campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content,
feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Fiji.
Hire Fiji Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production
service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Fiji, please contact
us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in
Fiji, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera
operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer,
stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver.
Sources,
References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked
In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The
Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative
Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film
Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of
Credits, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Emerge Film
Solutions, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, Films from Fiji, "Fiji to be
the South Pacific Hollywood", Fiji Guide, http://fijiguide.com,
Fiji Sun Online, Vineel Nand Nadi,
THIS ARTICLE
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