Curaçao 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 Curaçao? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Curaçao
For an introduction to shooting in Curaçao 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.
Curaçao Film Locations
Curaçao is an island nation located in the southern Caribbean Sea. It lies only 65 km (40 mi) north of Venezuela. Collectively, the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao form the Dutch Caribbean. The country is known for its Dutch colonial architecture, arid landscapes, and beaches.
Aloe is the main agricultural product. In terms of industrial locations, the shipping port, and Isla Oil Refinery are important sources of wealth. Curaçao is also an offshore financial centre.
Curaçao has hosted The Bachelorette (2012).
Unlike other Caribbean countries, Curaçao is known more for its historic locations than for its beaches. The capital Willemstad is famous for its colourful waterfront buildings, floating market, floating bridge, and abandoned Pietermaai mansions.
The most beautiful beaches are on the west side of the island. Beaches of note include Baya Beach, Playa Cas Abao, Blue Bay, Playa Lagun, Playa Porto Marie, and Kleine Knip.
Klein Curaçao is an uninhabited island with an abandoned lighthouse, making for a great film location.
Curaçao also has some semi-arid, rocky landscapes ideal for Westerns.
Christoffel National Park is home to some interesting flora and fauna.
Curaçao is also a popular place for underwater photography with good visibility for filming all year round.
Curaçao Film Location Permits
Curaçao does not have a set established permitting process. Generally speaking, small shoots that do not require exclusive use of public space do not require permits. More complicated projects that involve larger setups and control of traffic require permits and coordination with local authorities. All in all, permitting is a quick and easy process. Local authorities are very open to helping visiting film crews. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Curaçao is drier than most other Caribbean destinations. The island offers warm, sunny weather and good underwater photography visibility all year round. Curaçao lies outside of the hurricane belt. The wet season runs from December to April although many days are still sunny during this period. The hot, dry season runs from May to November. This is both the best time to film for weather as well as the low tourist season when costs are lower. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Curaçao Carnival takes place in January / February.
Christianity is the main religion so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Curaçao.
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. Curaçao trades in the Netherlands Antillean guilder which is pegged to the USD. Filming in Curaçao is not as expensive as some of the other places in the Caribbean. Most key crew and equipment need to be brought in from abroad, which will add to those travel costs. Our Curaçaoan fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in Curaçao.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Curaçao has a very small pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Also good local gaffers. Other key crew are best brought in. There are several good key crews scattered throughout the Caribbean. Otherwise, Miami is the closest major production centre for experienced technical 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 Curaçao.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable. Casting facilities are limited so most casting is done in-house.
Papiamentu, Dutch, and English are widely spoken.
Most citizens are Afro-Caribbean. A minority of people are of Dutch decent. There are also many expats available for film work although not all reside on the island full-time.
Curaçao Film Equipment
Equipment. There are no equipment houses in Curaçao but local production companies and independent operators have some basic camera, grip and lighting available for hire. More specialised equipment can be easily brought in from major production centres such as Miami. Although Curaçao is not an ATA carnet country, bringing in gear is easy and hassle free.
Communication. 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 is very basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Best to post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Crew travelling on Western passports (see countries coloured blue) are allowed visa-free travel to Curaçao for stays of up to 90 days. There are no special work permits required for film crews. If necessary, to ensure ease of entry, our Curaçaoan fixer / service producer will arrange for the Tourism Board to inform customs and immigration of your visit.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are well maintained. Secondary roads can be slower going, particularly during the wet season. The capital Willemstad can be quite congested. Several international airlines service direct flights to Curaçao International Airport.
Accommodation. Contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Curaçao.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Explore Willemstad.
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 Curaçao, please see below:
Hire Curaçao Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Curaçao, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Curaçao, 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.
