Travel to Mexico

[Sean]

Curious if any of you have had experiences taking camera equipment to Mexico (by air). I have learned one lesson: everything of value has to be carried on the plane with you. But do they worry about what your intentions are (i.e., taking pro camera equipment into the U.S. from Canada can make the border guys think you're going down to conduct professional business, requiring a visa, rather than just taking your nice gear down to get pretty pictures on holiday).

 

[Tom Lowe]

I spend tons of time in Mexico, mostly in the upper half of Baja, by SUV. I shot down there last summer. But we brought a super bare bones crew and kept everything very low key. We only brought grip, no lights, no obvious film crew stuff.

Theft does take place down there, so make sure your stuff is insured. Normal production and car and other insurance policies do not cover Mexico.

If you describe the project maybe we can give you some ideas. The best thing is just to claim you're out for a student film or home movies, etc, if you can get away with it.

 

[Sean]

I would definitely claim the purpose was "home movies." It's not quite that...but it's not a Hollywood movie either. I took my DVX twice in the past year and a half, and shot some images for a short film while there. No one ever asked a thing. But Red is BIGGER. And I guess I'll have to buy cheap lights while we're there rather than take lights with us. Good thing Red's ISO is 8000 (heheheh...kidding).

Oh, and driving down the Baja is a bit different. Since as I recall last time I did that, I didn't even know we'd driven through the Mexican border! It's not like they stop to ask you your business, is it!

I would like to take lights. But even just taking Red and a Manfrotto tripod might look strange on a charter plane to a resort. I dunno. What do you think?

 

[Tom Lowe]

Where in Mexico?

Actually, driving down south through Baja you hit lots of "inspection" points with floodlights and heavily armed, machine-gun-toting army troops all down the peninsula. I was shooting some cinema stuff on a beach south of san felipe when our small crew ran into an army platoon in two Humvees. We told them we were shooting home movies of us driving through the dunes and after checking us out for a while, they were cool and wished us luck. Baja Mexico is always a trip.

 

[Sean]

I'd be heading to Puerto Vallarta and environs. Baja is a world unto itself. Bet you got some beautiful footage.

 

[Julian Banos]

The law in Mexico allows you to carry any video or film camera, one per person, under the Radio, Television and Film legislation. I know people who have carried an Arri 435 from the US to Mexico.
Now, I dont really know if this applies to non Mexican citizens. And government officials here (cops and customs) will try to get money out of people in any way they can. If you have a media news badge or ID usually helps the situation.
I have two RED reservations and I am bringing them with my partner by plane, I am as concerned as you guys are about this issue. I already consulted a lawyer on this. He is doing the research for me, I will ask him about foreigners. If you want I can let you know what he says.

 

[Sean]

Thank you Julian.