Filming
in Spain.
The guide
Everything a UK production manager asks us at midnight, answered in daylight.
Seven steps from brief to wrap, written by the only real TV fixers based on the Costa del Sol. Read it, then ring us and skip to step seven.
Send us
one
paragraph
What it is, who is in it, how many days, when. That is enough to start.
- ASKFormat, channel, crew size, shoot dates, any talent or contributors, must-have looks.
- GETA location list with photos, a permit plan with lead times, a first budget. Usually within a day.
- TIPTell us the wish you think is impossible. It is usually a phone call.
Four offices.
We know
all four
Spain is not hard. It is just specific. Here is who signs what.
Private property needs the owner, a contract and insurance. Police like to be told about anything with a camera crane, a stunt or a crowd. We tell them. Lead times above are ours, not the brochure's.
was here
Recce
Roman photographs every angle, meets every owner, checks where the sun goes at 4pm.
Recced
before you
book flights
You get a photo pack, a map, drive times and the awkward questions already asked.
- SEEWide, tight, reverse, plus a phone clip walking the space.
- KNOWParking for the unit, power, shade, noise, neighbours, nearest hospital.
- SIGNOwner agreement, fees, insurance, what happens if it rains. It rarely does.
Bring your
brains.
Hire the hands
Fly the director, producer and DoP. Everything else lives here.
Spain
pays you
to come
Up to 30%
Spain's rebate for international productions runs up to thirty per cent of qualifying Spanish spend, with a minimum spend and a Spanish production services company on the paperwork. That company can be us. We also invoice in Spain, handle IVA, and keep the cost report boring. Boring cost reports are the goal.
Pick your
light.
We book it
Local fiestas, Semana Santa and August closures move things. We keep the calendar so you do not have to learn it.
Turn up.
Roll.
Go for dinner
Call sheets in two languages. A fixer on set every day. A CEO asleep nearby.
- DAY 0Kit check, unit base, safety briefing, the good tapas place pointed out.
- DAILYRoman on set, David on the phone to whoever needs persuading, Bear on quality control.
- WRAPLocations left cleaner than we found them. Invoices in. Rebate file closed. Crew paid on time.
approved
Bear
Reviewed every step of this guide. Signed it with a paw. Went back to sleep.
Asked
at midnight
- Q1Do I need a permit? For almost anything beyond a handheld in a public street, yes. Town hall, Costas, parks, AESA for drones. We file all four.
- Q2Can I bring my own crew? Yes. Most bring director, producer and DoP and hire the rest here.
- Q3Is there a rebate? Up to 30 per cent of qualifying Spanish spend. We do the paperwork.
- Q4Best time of year? March to June and September to November. Summer for the holiday look. Winter is still sunny.
- Q5Why a fixer? Because the town hall already knows our faces. You turn up with a camera.
Ballsytv
Film in Spain. Without losing the plot. · @david.pesellin