Jamaica Film Festival Logo / Photo Credit: Carole Beckford - Jamaican Film Festival
JAMAICAN CINEMA… (In the Entertainment
industry. History of Jamaican Cinema)
Bruce
Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.
Jamaican Cinema
Jamaican Film Commission
Jamaican Film Festivals
Reggae Film
Festival
Flashpoint
Film Festival
Despite Jamaica never having a very strong film industry,
the island has produced notable films from the 1970s onwards. The most
critically acclaimed film is The Harder They Come, by Perry Henzell, which
received international acclaim. The Jamaican government and various private
citizens have tried to promote the creation of new films by the creation of
certain agencies such as the Jamaican Film Commission, and film festivals such
as the Reggae Film Festival. The Harder They Come sparked trends that were
apparent in following films such as Dancehall Queen and One Love, both directed
by Don Letts and Rick Elgood.
Reggae Film Festival
Reminiscing on the success of The Harder They Come, the
Reggae Film Festival was started in 2008 in Emancipation Park, New Kingston,
and seeks to encourage the same success by hosting a film festival annually.
People from Jamaica and other countries such as Spain, Germany, the U.S, and
Canada bring their films to the festival which lasts for three days. On the
last day six people with notable productions are inducted as the first
executive directors of a Jamaica film. The current director is Barbara Blake Hannah,
who is also the current executive director of the Jamaican film industry.
Flashpoint Film Festival
Seeking to encourage the creation of new films after
movies, Paul Bucknor, Greer Ann, and Bertam Sam created the Flashpoint Film
Festival in 2004. The Flashpoint Film Festival started in The Caves, a hotel
located in Negril, Jamaica. The festival allows for directors to come together
and display their films for the locals. As the advent of digital cameras
drastically reduce the cost of creating a film, the aim of the film festival is
to help develop a film industry within the Caribbean by uniting filmmakers old
and new with an international audience.
In 2008, the Flashpoint Film Festival was moved to Port
Royal in hopes of attracting residents from Kingston to festival.
In 2008, the notable film Better Mus Come premiered during
the Festival.
Emerge Films Solutions
Jamaica 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
Jamaica? 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 Jamaica? See below for
an introduction to Jamaica 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.
Jamaica Film Locations
The home of Reggae music and Caribbean chill, Jamaica has
long been a popular destination for international productions having had hosted
films such as Cool Runnings, Legends of the Fall, Cocktail, How Stella Got Her
Groove Back, and the Bond Films – Golden Eye, Dr No, and Live and Let Die.
Kingston is the capital and main entry point by air. The
city offers bustling Caribbean streets, vibrant markets, Spanish Town’s
colonial architecture, old forts, urban areas, and landmarks such as the Bob
Marley Museum. Note some locations, such as the Bob Marley Museum, require
location releases.
Jamaica has doubled for many different countries. The
country can be divided into several climatic zones. Negril and Montego Bay on
the west coast has a dry climate with miles of untouched, palm-lined, white
sand beaches and turquoise waters. The eastern side of Jamaica is more lush,
with dense rainforests, beautiful waterfalls such as the Dunns River Falls, and
gorgeous coastline such as Frenchman’s Cove Beach. The south of Jamaica offers
dark sand beaches and even areas where cactus grows. The north coast is lined
with palm trees. The Blue Mountains area has a cooler climate with coffee
plantations and pine trees. Jamaica is also known for its banana and sugarcane
plantations.
Jamaica Film Location Permits
A Film License is required for filming in Jamaica. The
license costs $300 per shoot and allows you to film public locations all over
the island. To apply for a permit we will need to submit your project synopsis,
fee, and proof of insurance. Location specific permits are often arranged on
the parish level. The general rule in Jamaica is to allow plenty of lead time
for permits, especially if you require street closures or large setups. Filming
in national parks and markets requires separate permits. Many locations allow
free use if there is a tourism benefit. Please contact us for location specific
information.
When To Shoot?
Jamaica has a tropical climate with year-round conditions
ideal for film shoots. When it does rain, showers are short, heavy and followed
by sunshine. The rainiest weather occurs in May and June and later in October
and November. Tropical storms and hurricanes can occur between July and
November. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Bob Marley Week takes place in February. Jamaica Carnival,
held in March / April is the biggest event of the year with street parades,
calypso music and dancing.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs in Jamaica are comparable to the rest of the
Caribbean. The greatest cost is the possible need to bring in your key crew and
equipment. Our Jamaican fixer / production manager 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 Jamaica.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Jamaica has a very small pool of local directors,
videographers and stills photographers. Key crew are generally brought in from
abroad.
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 Jamaica.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable. Jamaica
offers mainly Afro-Caribbean looking talent. There is also a small pool of
multicultural talent looks suitable for featured roles.
Jamaica Film Equipment
Jamaica has a 3 ton truck with basic grip and lighting
equipment. Some camera equipment is available locally including a RED with a
small number of lenses. Equipment is based in Kingston. All other equipment
including underwater housing, large cranes, or car kits needs to be brought in
from abroad. Miami is the closest major production center. Jamaica is not an
ATA carnet country but bringing in gear is easy. Our Jamaican service producer
/ fixer arranges a local customs broker. Visitors arrive with listed gear. To
save on costs it’s best to try to bring all gear in on one flight.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction. Jamaica as production
designers and skilled construction crews. Props and wardrobe are limited beyond
local looks.
Studios and backlots. Some basic facilities exist. No
major studio facilities at present.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Visas and Work Permits. Crews who are entering Jamaica on
Western passports can enter visa-free for periods of up to 180 days depending
on the country. US travelers.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Jamaica has an extensive
network of roads. Most locations are less than a 3 hour drive from Kingston or
Montego Bay. Kingston roads can get congested and many rural roads are in poor
state of repair with limited signage. Several international airlines service
flights to Jamaica.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Jamaica
include:
Rockhouse Hotel
The Caves
Geejam
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. Our
Jamaican producer / fixer organizes an appropriate level of security for each
shoot.
Hire Jamaica Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production
service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Jamaica, please contact
us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in
Jamaica, 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, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Emerge Film
Solutions, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, "Film Jamaica", Campbell,
Howards. "CINEMA-JAMAICA: Gloomy Future for Jamaican Movies", "Cinema
in Jamaica - The Legacy of The Harder They Come - Imaginations", Polack,
Peter (19 February 2017). "History of Cinema in Jamaica | History
Cooperative", Blackford, Richard. "Jamaica's film industry – 100
years on and we are still gasping for breath – Columns", "About Us |
Jamaica International Reggae Film Festival"
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