Bermuda 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 Bermuda? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Bermuda
For an introduction to shooting in Bermuda 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.
Bermuda Film Locations
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory located in the Atlantic Ocean roughly 1,000km (620miles) east of North Carolina. The country consists of around 180 islands and islets. Bermuda is known for its beautiful pink sand beaches, turquoise seas, small bays, spectacular underwater photography, surf breaks, pastel-coloured buildings, cricket ovals, and golf courses.
Bermuda’s economic mainstay is offshore financial services. There are very few agricultural and industrial film locations. Energy locations include oil fired power plants.
Bermuda has hosted productions such as Life as a House (2001), White Squall (1996), You Only Live Twice (1967), as well as a variety of commercial shoots, and National Geographic diving documentaries.
Locations of particular interest to filmmakers and photographers include the following:
Hamilton is the capital. It is known for its British colonial architecture including Sessions House, Government House, Hamilton City Hall, and the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity. Hamilton Harbour has a cruise ship port.
Beach locations of note include Horseshoe Bay Beach, Tobacco Bay Beach, Elbow Beach, Warwick Long Bay Beach, Church Bay Beach, and Long Beach on Coopers Island Natural Reserve.
Golf courses of note include Mid Ocean Club and Port Royal Golf Course.
Other film locations of note include St George’s Harbour, Royal Naval Dockyards, Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, St David’s Lighthouse, Crystal & Fantasy Caves, Fort St Catherine, Bermuda National Stadium, and L.F. Wade International Airport.
Bermuda Film Location Permits
Bermuda is a self governing British overseas territory. Film location permits are dealt with locally and are generally a fast and easy process. The Bermuda Tourism Authority and local production support are available to help with permitting. Drone filming is permitting providing strict restrictions and regulations are followed. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Despite being so far north, Bermuda has a sub-tropical climate kept temperate by the Gulf Stream. Bermuda has sunny days all year round with most rains coming in short bursts. Winter (November to April) is mild and experiences cooler temperatures than the rest of Caribbean. Summer (May to October) has hot, humid weather with occasional tropical storms. This is the best period for underwater photography. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Bermuda International Film Festival in March.
• Bermuda Carnival in June.
• Newport Bermuda Race in June.
Christianity is the largest religion, so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Bermuda.
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. Since no filming infrastructure exists on Bermuda, key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Given the high incomes generated by the financial services industry, the need to import most goods, and high import taxes, the cost of most goods and services on the islands are relatively expensive. Budget for higher than average transport and catering costs. Our Bermudian fixer / service producer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
The Bermudian dollar is pegged to the United States dollar at a one-to-one ratio.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or feature films shooting in Bermuda.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Bermuda has a very small pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Bermuda also has some basic supporting crews but key crew are best flown in. New York is the closest major production centre a 2.5hr flight away.
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 Bermuda.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
English is the official language.
About half of Bermudians are of African descent with the rest being Caucasian, mixed and Asian. All other looks need to be brought in from abroad.
Bermuda Film Equipment
Equipment. Best to bring in your own camera, lighting and grip equipment. Bermuda is not an ATA carnet member but importing film gear is easy. Allow plenty of lead time to ensure all paperwork is in order to clear film equipment from customs as well as exporting it off the islands at the end of the shoot.
Communications. 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. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
A temporary work permit is required for crews coming to film for any period up to 3 months. Your application is submitted by The Bermuda Tourism Authority or your local production service support contact to the Department of Immigration. Allow at least 2 weeks for processing.
Nationals of the below countries coloured grey do not require a visa to enter and stay for up to 21 days. As Bermuda does not issue its own visas, visitors who need a multiple-entry visa to transit the United Kingdom, the United States or Canada (the only countries directly accessible from Bermuda), must present this visa upon arrival in Bermuda. This applies to the below countries highlighted in the colours brown and yellow.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Bermuda has a very good road and ferry infrastructure. Regular direct flights are available from major cities such as New York (2 hour flight) and London (7 hour flight).
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels include:
Royal Palms Hotel
Rosedon Hotel
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. Bermuda is a very safe place to shoot. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Hit the beach. Local dishes of note include codfish and potato breakfast, fish chowder, fish sandwich, codfish cakes, peas and rice, bread pudding, shark hash, conch stew, cassava pie, and paw paw casserole.
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 Bermuda, please see below:
Hire Bermuda Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Bermuda, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Bermuda, 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.
