Flag of Antigua and Barbuda / Photo Credit: Bandetex - Antigua and Barbuda
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA CINEMA… (In the
Entertainment industry. History of Antigua and Barbuda Cinema)
Antigua and Barbuda Cinema
Antiqua and Barbuda Tourist Offices
Emerge Films Solutions
History
The history
of Antigua and Barbuda can be separated into three distinct eras. In the first,
the islands were inhabited by three successive Amerindian societies. The islands
were neglected by the first wave of European colonization, but were settled by
England in 1632. Under British control, the islands witnessed an influx of both
Britons and African slaves. In 1981, the islands were granted independence as
the modern state of Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua and Barbuda – twin-island nation lying between the
Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited
islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands (including Great
Bird, Green, Guinea, Long, Maiden and York Islands and further south, the
island of Redonda). Its governance, language, and culture have all been
strongly influenced by the British Empire, of which the country was formerly a
part.
Antigua was first settled by pre-agricultural Amerindians
known as "Archaic People" (although they are commonly, but
erroneously known in Antigua as Siboney, a pre-ceramic Cuban people). The
earliest settlements on the island date to 2900 BC. They were succeeded by
ceramic-using agriculturalist Saladoid people who migrated up the island chain
from Venezuela. They were later replaced by Arawakan speakers around 1200 AD
and around 1500 by Island Caribs.
The Arawaks were the first well-documented group of
Antiguans. They paddled to the island by canoe (piragua) from Venezuela, and
ejected by the Caribs—another people indigenous to the area. Arawaks introduced
agriculture to Antigua and Barbuda, raising, among other crops, the famous Antiguan
"black" pineapple.
Christopher Columbus sighted islands in 1493 during his
second voyage naming the larger one Santa Maria de la Antigua. However, early
attempts by Europeans to settle the islands failed due to the Caribs' excellent
defenses. England succeeded in colonizing the islands in 1632, with Thomas
Warner as the first governor. Settlers raised tobacco, indigo, ginger and
sugarcane as cash crops. Sir Christopher Codrington established the first large
sugar estate in Antigua in 1674, and leased Barbuda to raise provisions for his
plantations. Barbuda's only town is named after him. In the fifty years after
Codrington established his initial plantation, the sugar industry became so
profitable that many farmers replaced other crops with sugar, making it the
economic backbone of the islands.
Slavery was common in Barbuda in the 1700s and until 1834.
The island was a source of slaves for other locations, too. No new slaves had
arrived on the island since the mid-1700s but their population grew naturally.
An estimate in 1977 by Lowenthal and Clark indicated that during 1779 to 1834
the number of slaves exported totaled 172; most were taken to Antigua but 37
went to the Leeward and Windward islands and some to the southern US. Several
slave rebellions took place on the island, with the most serious in 1834-5.
Britain emancipated slaves in most of its colonies in 1834, but that did not
include Barbuda, so the island then freed its own slaves. For some years
thereafter, the freed slaves had little opportunity of survival on their own
because of limited agricultural land and the lack of available credit to buy
some. Hence, they continued to work on the plantations for nominal wages or
lived in shantytowns and worked as occasional laborers’. Sugar cane production
remained the primary economy for over a century.
During the 18th century, Antigua was used as the
headquarters of the British Royal Navy Caribbean fleet. English Dockyard, as it
came to be called, a sheltered and well-protected deep-water port, was the main
base and facilities there were greatly expanded during the later 18th century.
Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson commanded the British fleet for much of this time,
and made himself unpopular with local merchants by enforcing the Navigation
Act, a British ruling that only British-registered ships could trade with
British colonies. As the United States were no longer British colonies, the act
posed a problem for merchants, who depended on trade with the fledgling country.
Emerge Films Solutions
Antigua and Barbuda 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
Antigua and Barbuda? 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 Antigua and Barbuda?
See below for an introduction to Antigua and Barbuda 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.
Antigua and Barbuda Film Locations
Antigua and Barbuda are known for their Caribbean paradise
island looks.
Antigua is famous for its white sand beaches, turquoise
waters, rolling hills, salt flats, rainforests and luxury villas. Admiral
Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbor is the home of Antigua and Barbuda’s
yachting culture. Shirley Heights offers great shots of Falmouth Harbor.
Beaches of note include Ffryes Beach, Darkwood Beach, and Deep Bay Beach.
Betty’s Hope was formerly a sugarcane plantation.
Barbuda’s landscapes include turquoise lagoons, miles of
remote white sand beaches, and the unique town of Codrington.
Antigua and Barbuda Film Location Permits
Permitting is a quick and easy process in Antigua and
Barbuda. Please contact us for location specific information.
When to Shoot?
Antigua and Barbuda has a tropical climate which remains
warm and relatively dry throughout the year. Tropical storms and hurricanes may
occur between June and October. November to May is the dry season and best time
to film for weather. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
The islands host Antigua Sailing Week at the end of April
each year. Antigua Carnival takes place from late July to early August.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists
all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad which will add to the
cost of filming. Local costs are also somewhat expensive. During the peak dry
season accommodation can be especially expensive. Our Antiguan fixer will
negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support
to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for
foreign commercials or films shooting in Antigua and Barbuda.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Antigua and Barbuda has a very small pool of directors,
directors of photography and stills photographers. Key crew needs to be brought
in from abroad. Local supporting crews speak English. Please contact us for
recommended options.
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 Antigua and
Barbuda.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiated on a personal
level. Most Antiguans are Afro-Caribbean with some Caucasian looks also
available. All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad.
Antigua and Barbuda Film Equipment
There are no equipment houses in Antigua and Barbuda. For
productions intending to bring in camera / lighting / grip equipment, Antigua
and Barbuda is not an ATA carnet country, but bringing in gear is a quick and
easy process.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction is very basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. There are no post production facilities
in Antigua and Barbuda.
Visas & Work Permits
Crews travelling on western passports can enter and film
in Antigua and Barbuda for stays of up to 30 or 90 or 180 days, depending on
the country.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Roads are up to
international standards. Getting between islands is best done by air or charter
boat. Several international airlines service flights to Antigua and Barbuda.
Accommodation. Film friendly hotels in St. John’s include:
- The Villas at Sunset Lane
- Galley Bay Resort
- Hermitage Bay
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 Antigua and Barbuda.
Hire Antigua and Barbuda Production Support & Shooting
Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production
service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Antigua and Barbuda,
please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in
Antigua and Barbuda, 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, please
contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and
bids quickly.
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, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Emerge
Film Solutions, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, "Antigua and
Barbuda". The World Fact book,
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Flag of Antigua
and Barbuda / Photo Credit: Bandetex - Antigua and Barbuda
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