Need Advice - Working Internationally

[Matt Bowden]

Hey All. I am currently in the process of quoting a project that would be shot in Mexico (at a resort). I've never personally worked outside of the U.S. on any video shoots let alone be in charge of one. Can you give some advice to a first timer? Here are a few questions. If you have any other helpful info please feel free to share.

(1) The company is paying all travel expenses...I will be staying at the resort as well. Should I pay for my airfare and build that into the quote? Or should I let them handle it. I think I would be more comfortable handling it myself but not sure what's more acceptable.
(2) Work Visa - I've been out the country before...and to this specific resort..I have a passport. Do I need a special work visa or something or can I just go like I'm going for vacation and use my passport.
(3) I'm planning on shipping my equipment. (minus my camera I think, carry on). I thought this might be safer than trying to check all my equipment on the plane and mess with everything at the airport. Might be cheaper too with the extra baggage cost on most airlines.
(4) How should I build taxes into the quote? Should I add enough to cover Federal, State, and Mexican taxes? Are there taxes in Mexico? (Hope that question doesn't make me sound like an ignorant American.)

Thats all that comes to my head at the moment. But I'm sure more will come up. I appreciate the help. This is very exciting...it's a BIG project and might be just what I need to elevate my work to the next level. Help from my RedUser family is greatly appreciated.

Matt

 

[Scott Brown]

Your biggest issue will be getting your camera gear in and out as Mexico can be tricky. We had a shoot lined up there last year & in the end, we hired a local crew as the paperwork was going to take forever.

I know there are a few Red users there so I'm sure they chime in shortly.

Best wishes

Scott

 

[Peter Majtan]

1 - the former (pay for your airfare and build that into the quote - make sure you state that in your proposal)...

2 - YES, you need work visa (for Mexico or any other country outside of US where You intend to work). Without it your gear might get confiscated, you may face deportation (and not being able to visit again), fine, etc... And your insurance will not cover you - since you will be engaging in illegal activity (working in another country without proper work visa). Contact Mexican embassy/consulate ASAP...

3 - You are risking getting your gear stuck in the customs (or worse). Bring it with you - no matter what hassle that entails at the airport - it is much less then what you would face otherwise. Check with the Mexican embassy/consulate what kind of documentation you need for the equipment to avoid having to pay taxes (for the equipment). ATA carnet or similar... Again - without it the gear insurance will not be valid...

4 - Aside of tax heavens every other normal country has tax system. However - if You are billing from the US - they should pay directly to your US account and you only pay taxes back at home. If you however are being paid in Mexico - they might deduct tax there. If so - make sure to get some documentation (receipt) for that to avoid having to pay double-tax back at home...

Double check your insurance policies (both for you and your gear) about their validity in Mexico. Contact your insurance company and ask for the right claim procedures / emergency contacts should something go wrong. Better be prepared and safe then sorry...

Other then that - enjoy the trip. Mexico is a wonderful country with rich culture, great food and (in general) very friendly people. (Tijuana and Cancun are NOT Mexico LOL)
Might be handy to learn some basic phrases in Spanish - if you already do not know.

P

 

[Matt Bowden]

Thanks for the info so far. Very useful. Lots to look into. Keep it coming.

 

[Trey Chace]

a lot of this depends on where in mexico, and how big the resort is. ie, if you're in cancun and the only income of the entire area is tourism, you have more pull as you helping the economy. more important is the size of the resort and contact you have there. have a phone number ready to call from the tourism board, or a high up at the hotel, and they have a lot of pull. an ata doesnt hurt, but your contacts from the board are huge. you are allowed 1 video and 1 still camera in mexico, so those wont be the issue. the issue is the sticks, lights, etc. I definitely would NOT ship my gear...you have no control over it then, and could wait for weeks getting it thru customs.
good luck!
trey

 

[Brandon J.F.]

You definitely do not want to ship your gear. You can get "media" rates for extra baggage with most airlines which will save a lot of money. I've done this before. Check the website for the airline you're flying with and see what their policy is.

 

[Matt Bowden]

The resort is just south of cancun but along the main strip of large resorts. This is a LARGE resort. It's part of a chain with three others. My contact currently is the General Manager of the resort.

One good thing to note is that the resort does have U.S. power outlets...shouldn't have much trouble powering them. Still trying to figure out the most cost effective equipment set-up. I rent most of my equipment per project.

 

[Trey Chace]

Whats your shoot date? I'll be in Cancun for a couple weeks on Saturday with all the gear you'd need. Hell, I've probably shot the resort you're heading to. Also there's a guy there (gaffer) that owns a grip company you can rent from ( www.[B]rivieramayagrip[/B].com/) He's down in Riviera Maya about 45min south of Cancun. If you rent from him, you dont have to worry about any of this stuff. Remember, 1 video camera, 1 DSLR = no paperwork. Also remember, when you're shooting in Mexico, or any Caribbean resort for that matter, don't use standard dirty amps to figure your lighting capacity! A 20 amp breaker means nothing in Mexico, and dont expect the breaker to work! I about lit a RIU on fire last year in Jamaica pulling 12 amps!

cool,
Trey
www.chaceimaging.com

 

[Matt Bowden]

Trey that's awesome. We still don't have a date...might be awhile. Thanks for the info on the Grip Company. I'll let you know if things speed up.

 

[Rob Gardner]

1) Get an ATA Carnet, very important
2)Budget carefully, include a line for contingency (I usually make it 5% of the gross) to cover surprises that absolutely will happen, petty cash, medical (shots and so on), insurance costs (including equipment, liability and foreign medical) a line for permits and fees (bribes) and expendable supplies.
3) Make very clear what you are paying for and what the client is paying for. I try to put everything under my own control and them charge them a percentage of all expenses (10%-20%)
4) I always hire a local fixer to handle all shipping, visa, legal and bribing issues. If you leave it all up to the client you can get badly screwed, especially in the developing world.
4) Think defensively. Think about all the things that go wrong and plan for them and plan for the client to pay for them. Not all clients will do this, depending on the project, but I always think worst case.
Hope it goes well for you

 

[Matt Johnston]

1) Get an ATA Carnet, very important
/QUOTE]


I would advise against a CARNET for Mexico. They only joined the CARNET system in 2011 and many of the ports and customs agents are not familiar. As of right now, i'd still do it the old way. But I haven't worked there for about 10 months now so maybe things have changed.

If an unfamiliar Mexican customs agent doesn't process your CARNET right, you could be in real trouble coming back to the U.S or elsewhere.