Micronesia Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews

Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Micronesia? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in Micronesia

For an introduction to shooting in Micronesia see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.

Micronesia Film Locations

The Federated States of Micronesia is a country located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is made up of 607 islands that range from verdant mountainous islands to low coral atolls, occupying an area of 2,600,000 km2 (1,003,866 sq mi). Film locations include lush tropical jungles, waterfalls, white sand beaches, turquoise seas, mangroves, lagoons, coral reefs, surf reefs, World War II wrecks, and archaeological ruins.

Agricultural film locations include plantations of coconuts, bananas, betel nuts, and sweet potatoes.

From west to east, the country consists of four states:

Yap

Yap is famous for its enormous stone-money banks.

Chuuk

Truk Lagoon is well known for World War II wreck diving.

Poluwat Lighthouse is an abandoned Japanese WWII lighthouse situated on Alet Island in Poluwat.

Pohnpei

Palikir is the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Pohnpei is home to the Nan Madol archaeological ruins.

Waterfalls of note include Liduduhniap twin waterfalls, Kepirohi falls, and Sahwartik falls.

Pohnpei has some of the best surf reefs in the country.

Kosrae

Leluh is an important archaeological site.

The Blue Hole is a popular underwater photography site.

Micronesia Film Location Permits

Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Permission is sought on the local level. Allow more lead time for places such as Yap and Chuuk. Please contact us for more location specific information.

When To Shoot?

Micronesia offers long shoot days all year round. The hot, wet season runs from June to December. January to May have less rainfall and cooler temperatures. Pohnpei’s best surf conditions occur between October and April. For monthly weather statistics please see here.

Yap Day Festival takes place in March.

Micronesia is a predominately Christian country, so those holidays are observed.

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Micronesia.

Unique Local Stories

Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.

If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.

If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.

Costs & Tax Incentives

Costs. Micronesia trades in the USD. Locations and talent costs are inexpensive but since no filming infrastructure exists on the islands all crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Our Micronesian fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.

Tax Incentives. There are no tax incentives for foreign feature films or commercials shooting in Micronesia.

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. Micronesia has no locally based film or photography crews.

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 Micronesia.

Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable. Day rates are very reasonable and negotiated on a personal basis.

English is the official language.

Chuukese and Pohnpeian are the largest ethnic groups. Minority groups include Kosraean, Yapese, Outer Yapese, Asian, and Polynesian people. All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad.

Micronesia Film Equipment

Equipment. Camera, grip and lighting equipment needs to be brought in from abroad.

Communications. Internet speeds are slow and access is limited to major population centres.

Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.

Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.

For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.

Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production

Art Department and set construction are very minimal.

Studios and Backlots don’t exist.

Post Production. None available locally.

Visas & Work Permits

All nationals can enter Micronesia visa-free for periods of up to 30, 90 days, depending on the country. US crews can stay and work indefinitely.

Transport & Accommodation

Transportation Infrastructure. A limited number of flights service destinations around Micronesia. Boat travel is also possible although the distances can be quite far.

Accommodation. Contact us for recommended options and guest stays with local villages.

Final Notes

Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.

Down Time. Dive Truk Lagoon.

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 Micronesia, please see below:

Hire Micronesia Production Support & Shooting Crew

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Micronesia, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Micronesia, 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.