St Martin 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 St Martin? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in St Martin
For an introduction to shooting in St Martin 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.
St Martin Film Locations
Saint Martin is an island in the northeast Caribbean Sea. It is divided between the French north (St Martin) and the Dutch south (St Maarten) of the island.
The island is known for its white sand beaches, turquoise seas, dry forest, resort developments, casino, cruise ships, and colonial architecture.
Tourism is the economic mainstay.
Marigot is the capital and largest settlement of St Martin. Philipsburg is the capital and largest settlement of St Maarten.
Perhaps the island’s most famous film location is Princess Juliana International Airport where large passenger planes fly very low over Maho Beach to land on the short landing strip.
Beaches of note include Mullet Bay Beach, Happy Bay Beach, Orient Bay Beach (nude), Great Bay Beach, Cupecoy Beach, Dawn Beach, Kim Sha Beach, Simpson Bay Beach, Guana Bay Beach, and Friar’s Bay Beach.
St Martin Film Location Permits
Permitting in St Martin is a very straightforward process requiring usually no more than one week for permits. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
St Martin has a hot, tropical climate tempered by trade winds throughout the year. The driest period is from December to May. This is the best time to film for weather. The wetter period is from June to November which is also the hurricane season. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Annual boating events such as the Regatta held in March and the Alliance Race are held in November, attracting filmmakers and photographers from around the world. Carnival celebrations take place through April / May.
St Martin 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 St Martin.
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. Local costs are fairly expensive. The French side of the island trades in the Euro and the Dutch side trades in the Netherlands Antillean guilder. USD are also accepted. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Our St Martiner fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. France offers a 20% tax rebate (TRIP) for qualifying foreign features and TV productions shooting in St Martin.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. St Martin has a very small pool of directors, videographers and stills photographers. Key crew needs to be brought in. Miami is the closest major production centre should you need to look further.
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 St Martin.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
English is the most commonly spoken language.
St Martin is home to a mix of ethnic groups including Afro-Caribbean, Caucasian, Chinese, and East Indian. All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad.
St Martin Film Equipment
Equipment. There are no camera, lighting and grip equipment houses in St Martin. Miami is the closest major production centre should you need to look further. For productions looking to bring in film equipment St Martin is an ATA carnet country.
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 is very basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. None available locally. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Visiting crews travelling on Western passports can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. There is no work permit requirement for filming in St Martin. As part of France, St Martin is also part of the European Union. St Maarten has the status of an overseas country and is not part of the European Union.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are up to international standards. Several international airlines service flights to St Martin.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in St Martin include:
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for more information.
Down Time. Watch the large passenger planes land over the beach at Princess Juliana International Airport.
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 St Martin, please see below:
Hire St Martin Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in St Martin, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in St Martin, 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.
