Trinidad and Tobago 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 Trinidad and Tobago? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Trinidad and Tobago
For an introduction to shooting in Trinidad and Tobago 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.
Trinidad and Tobago Film Locations
Trinidad and Tobago is a Caribbean nation located just north of Venezuela. The islands are best known for oil and gas industry locations, Victorian and Georgian mansions, parks, and palm-lined white sand beaches with turquoise waters. Rich in Creole culture, Trinidad and Tobago is the birthplace of steelpan, the limbo, and music styles such as calypso, soca, rapso, parang, chutney, and chutney soca.
Agricultural film locations include sugar, cocoa, coffee, coconut, and citrus fruit plantations. Fishing boats are available for filming. Trinidad and Tobago drills for and refines oil and gas. Trinidad has chemical and fertiliser plants and a steel mill. Tourism is the economic mainstay.
The Amazing Race 32 (2020) filmed in Trinidad and Tobago.
Film locations can be divided into the two main islands:
Trinidad
The island of Trinidad is an industrial centre known for petroleum and natural gas production. The resulting wealth has led to Trinidad having a more authentic, less-developed island life compared to other Caribbean islands that rely on resort tourism.
Port of Spain is the capital, largest city, and main production service centre. The busy side of the city is known for its ports, depots, modern high-rises, and traffic-choked highways. The more relaxed side of the city is known for its Victorian and Georgian mansions, and green spaces such as Queen’s Park Savannah. The Red House is the seat of Parliament. Fort King George overlooks the city. Queen’s Park Oval is a cricket ground.
The mangrove swamps of Caroni Bird Sanctuary are home to the beautiful Scarlet Ibis.
Pitch Lake is the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world.
Tobago
The island of Tobago is known for its natural beauty. Tropical paradise locations can be found at Maracas Bay, Englishman’s Bay, Pigeon Point Beach, and Nylon Pool. Buccoo Reef is famous for its underwater photography. Main Ridge Forest Reserve and Argyle Waterfall are beautiful film locations.
Little Tobago (or Bird of Paradise Island) is a small island off the coast of Tobago known for its dry forest and birdlife.
Trinidad and Tobago Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Trinidad and Tobago has a tropical climate. The dry season runs from January to May and is the best time to film for weather. The wet season runs from from June to December. Trinidad and Tobago lies just south of the hurricane belt. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:
• Trinidad Carnival in February / March,
• Diwali which is celebrated by the Indo-Caribbean community in October / November.
• The Muslim Indo-Caribbean community commemorates Hosay, the Day of Ashura, for ten days in in August, September, or October.
Christianity is the main religion followed by Hinduism and Islam, so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Trinidad and Tobago.
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. Trinidad and Tobago is inexpensive by Caribbean standards. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Our Trinidadian fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. Trinidad and Tobago offers a Production Expenditure Rebate Programme. For projects spending over $1,000,000, this includes rebates of up to 55% for expenditures on qualifying local labour and 35% on other local expenditures. Projects spending less than $1,000,000 receive a lower percentage rebate subject to a sliding scale.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Trinidad and Tobago has a very small pool of directors, videographers and stills photographers. Key crew needs to be brought in.
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 Trinidad and Tobago.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
English is the official language.
Most Trinidadians are of East Indian and African descent. Best to cast all other talent looks abroad.
Trinidad and Tobago Film Equipment
Equipment. There are no camera, grip and lighting equipment houses in Trinidad and Tobago. Miami is the closest major production centre should you need to look further. Trinidad and Tobago is not an ATA carnet country. Bringing in equipment is a quick and easy process.
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 Trinidad and Tobago visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Work permits are not required to film in Trinidad and Tobago.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are up to international standards. Getting between islands is done by boat or plane. Several international airlines service flights to Trinidad and Tobago.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Trinidad and Tobago include:
Le Grand Courlan Resort & Spa
Coco Reef Tobago
Grafton Beach Resort
Hyatt Regency Trinidad
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Lime & Wine. Calypso at De Nu Pub.
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 Trinidad & Tobago, please see below:
Hire Trinidad and Tobago Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Trinidad and Tobago, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Trinidad and Tobago, 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.
