Venezuela 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 Venezuela? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Venezuela
For an introduction to shooting in Venezuela 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.
Venezuela Film Locations
Venezuela has some extraordinary undiscovered locations including tropical paradise islands, deep rainforests, rugged mountains, vast prairies, towering tepuis (table top mountains), impressive waterfalls, and bustling cities.
Agricultural film locations of note include rice paddies, corn fields, coffee plantations, and cattle ranches. Oil and gas extraction is Venezuela’s largest industry. The country also mines iron ore, coal, gold, and diamonds. Hydroelectric dams are the main source of energy.
Venezuela has hosted productions including Point Break (2015), The Liberator (2013), The Motorcycle Diaries (2004), What Dreams May Come (1998), and Arachnophobia (1990).
Film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Capital Region
This northern coastal region includes the states of Miranda, Vargas, and Caracas Capital District.
Caracas is the capital and main production centre where most crew and equipment are based. Film locations of interest include Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas, Teleférico de Caracas, Panteón Nacional, Plaza Bolivar, Parque Los Chorros, Iglesia de San Francisco, El Hatillo, Parque del Este, and Jardin Botanico. The Tower of David is the world’s tallest slum. El Helicoide is a former shopping mall now used as a prison facility by the intelligence agency SEBIN. The small town of Galipan on Avila Mountain offers panoramic views of Caracas. Within an hour drive from Caracas you can access busy urban locations, beaches, mountains, and cloud forests.
Waraira Repano National Park is located in this region.
Andean Region
This north western region includes the states of Barinas, Mérida, Táchira, Trujillo, and the Páez Municipality of Apure.
In the west of the country you can find the snow-covered mountains of Cordillera de Mérida in the Venezuelan Andes mountain range.
El Tamá National Park is located in Táchira state.
Central Region
This central region includes the states of Aragua, Carabobo, and Cojedes.
Choroní Beach in Aragua state is a beautiful beach surrounded by cloud forests.
Estación Biológica de Rancho Grande is a building overtaken by jungle.
The city of Maracay is also located in Aragua state. Film locations of note include Maestranza César Girón bullfighting ring, Plaza Bolívar, and Plaza Parque Bicentenario.
Colonia Tovar is a small town located 65.5km (41mi) west of Caracas, known for its Bavarian architecture.
Central-Western Region
This central western region includes the states of Falcón, Lara, Portuguesa, and Yaracuy.
Morrocoy National Park, is located on the mainland, a 2 hour drive from Caracas. The location is known for its white-sand beaches and coral reefs. Notable paradise islands just off the coast include Cayo Sombrero, Cayo Borracho, Cayo Sal, and Cayo Peraza.
Medanos de Coro National Park is famous for vast sand dunes that have been used to double for Sahara desert looks.
Eastern Region
This eastern coastal region includes the states of Anzoátegui, Monagas, and Sucre.
Mochima National Park is a mountainous coastal region of exceptional beauty.
Dimitrius Demu Museum is an unusual film locations located in Lecheria, Anzoátegui.
Guayana Region
This remote, under-explored southern region includes the states of Bolívar, Amazonas, and Delta Amacuro.
Canaima National Park covers a vast expanse including several impressive film locations. Angel Falls, with a continuous drop of 1km, is the world’s highest waterfall. Point Break (2015), What Dreams May Come (1998), and Arachnophobia (1990) filmed in Angel Falls. The park encompasses the high plateau of La Gran Sabana which includes more than 100 tepuis. The spectacular Mount Roraima is one of the park’s highest tepuis. Cerro Sarisariñama is a unique tepuis in Jaua-Sarisarinama National Park known for its tall forest cover and sinkholes.
Other waterfalls of note in Bolívar state include Llovizna Falls, Aponwao Falls, and Cuquenan Falls.
Guri Dam, one of the world’s largest dams, is located in Bolívar state.
The Orinoco Delta is rich in wildlife ranging from monkeys, to macaws, to piranhas.
Amazonas State, located in the far south of the country, is home to the majority of the country’s indigenous population including the Warao, the Pemón and the Yanomami people.
Leopoldo Lake is a dark water mountain lake.
The Piedra del Cocuy Natural Monument is an impressive granite formation rising up from the jungle.
The settlement of Jonestown, home of the Jonestown Massacre, was located in Delta Amacuro.
Insular Region
The Caribbean island region includes the states of Nueva Esparta, and Federal Dependencies.
Isla Margarita is a more developed beach destination with many beach resorts and hotels. Beaches of note include this area include La Playa El Agua, Playa Puerto Cruz, Playa Guacuco, and Playa Manzanillo.
Los Roques Archipelago is known for beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs, and relaxing beach shacks. Cayo de Agua is a paradise island with a tidal sand spit ideal for fashion and beauty shoots. The small seaside fishing village of Gran Roque is the main settlement.
Llanos Region
This central region includes the states of Apure (excluding the Páez Municipality), and Guárico.
Los Llanos (The Prairies) are a vast, flat plains region covering much of central Venezuela. The region is famous for its Llanero (Cowboy) culture. The region has large deposits of oil sands.
Aguaro-Guariquito National Park and Aristides Rojas Natural Monument are located in this region.
Zulian Region
Located in the coastal northwest of the country, this region includes Zulia state.
Maracaibo, the centre of Venezuela’s oil industry, is the second largest city in the country. Lake Maracaibo is a large brackish tidal bay that experiences more lightning than any other place on earth.
Bolivar Coastal Field is one of the largest oil fields in the world.
Sierra de Perijá National Park is located in this region.
Venezuela Film Location Permits
Venezuela film location permits are generally easy to obtain and typically same day or within a couple of days. Most locations are possible. Shooting alcohol or cigarette commercials in National Parks is forbidden. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Although Venezuela is situated in the tropics, its climate varies substantially from the humid low-elevation plains to the cold glacial highlands. The dry season runs from December to April and is the best time to film for weather. The rainy season is between May and November. The end of the rainy season is best for filming Angel Falls at their finest. During the dry season Angel Falls can disappear. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Carnival celebrations take place in February.
Venezuela 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 Venezuela.
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. The favorable exchange rate means that your currency goes far in Venezuela. Standard crew and equipment are available locally as are film processing facilities. Venezuela offers a similar price point to Cuba and Colombia. Our Venezuelan fixer / service producer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Note, most ATMs do not accept US issued debit or credit cards.
Tax Incentives. There are no tax incentives for feature films or commercials shooting in Venezuela.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Venezuela has a small pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Crews are good, hard working, flexible with overtime and turn-around times. Heads of department all speak fluent English. Most visiting productions bring in their own key crew.
Contact us if you are looking for a Caracas based 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 Venezuela.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable. Day rates are very reasonable and negotiated on a personal basis.
Spanish is the official language. Over thirty indigenous languages are spoken throughout the country.
Venezuela offers great multicultural diversity similar to what you would find in Brazil or Cuba. The majority of people are mestizo and Caucasian. A minority are African and Amerindian. There are at least 26 indigenous groups in Venezuela, including the Ya̧nomamö, Pemon, Warao people, Baniwa people, Kali’na people, Motilone Barí, Ye’kuana, and Yaruro. All other talent is best cast abroad.
Venezuela Film Equipment
Equipment. All standard camera, grip and lighting equipment is available locally. More specialized equipment can be easily brought in from abroad.
Communications. Internet is slow and unreliable outside of 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 up to international standards.
Studios. Some options exist although studios are not Venezuela’s strong point.
Post Production. Some facilities exist.
Visas & Work Permits
Only certain countries need visas and there is no need for work permits. Most crews travelling on Western passports can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. US passport holders are required to obtain a visa prior to travel. See here for more information. Journalists must have the appropriate accreditation and working visa from the Venezuelan authorities before arriving in the country. Our local fixer / service producer will help arrange your application. Contact your local Venezuelan embassy / representative for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Several international carriers offer flights to Caracas. Major roads and roads in cities are paved but 4WD vehicles are recommended for rural roads especially during the rainy season from May to November. Avoid road travel by night, especially outside of major cities.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Caracas include:
Caracas Palace Hotel
Intercontinental Caracas
Embassy Suites Hotel
Best Western Caracas
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. Visit Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfalls.
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 Venezuela, please see below:
Hire Venezuela Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Venezuela, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Venezuela, 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.
