ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

4 years, 1 month ago - John Lubran

Africa isn't a country, it's a continent of over 50 countries and hundreds of subculture and ethnicities. The economic, political and social varieties are huge.

I've worked all points of the compass across Africa over many years, but I couldn't begin to answer your question.

4 years, 1 month ago - Marlom Tander

Richard, it's Africa.

It's a vast continent of deserts, jungles, urban hell, mountains, rivers, and buccolic pastures with bonus crocodiles. And it's about (not checking notes) 50 countries, ranging from stable and boring to news crews only. Only some have English as the official language.

Imagine if an American posted that "Guys, I'm sending a 12 person team to Europe. Where's a good cheap hotel for them to stay in?". We'd all be wondering if he had a clue.

4 years, 1 month ago - John Lubran

Last time I checked it was 54 countries

4 years, 1 month ago - John Lubran

Thanks Richard for the additional information. There's likely to be many places that could look like Congo jungle, if that's all you need. If authenticity is important you're probably looking at central and west African countries. Ghana has some, is very stable, English speaking and if you follow their rules and get Visas in London you'll be able to find.a range of hotels to suit every budget. I've stayed in most levels there. From very basic to five stars. Is the £50 to a £100 per person per crew, per night, per week?

It's likely that you will need to define exactly why you are going to any country. Countries like Ghana have all sorts of regulations for foreigners coming to film in their country, whilst they are not unreasonably obstructive, if one doesn't cross the t's and dot the i's, it can get messy, and even expensive. If there's a little gang planning to do some guerrilla filmmaking on compact cameras and kit, one should also have an authentic narrative ready that describes what you're doing as something other than a professional shoot. Alternatively you simply inform the Visa issuers exactly what you want to do. In that case there would be some small additional palaver and expense, if affordable it would make filming there much more comfortable.

If you've not spent time in these African countries. Be ready for the unexpected.

4 years, 1 month ago - Jackie Sheppard

Richard - I’ve filmed in South Africa, Rwanda and Burundi. The best thing is for you to connect with filmmakers on the ground and partner up with somebody with experience who can help you sort out all these logistics. Shout if you want me to introduce you to people.

4 years, 1 month ago - John Lubran

As it happens I was born in Kenya, never filmed there though.

Kenya is equatorial but has forested hill county. I doubt they are the same as west and central Africa. Certainly the environmental and atmospheric experience of Kenya is very different to the Congo, otherwise it's 'smoke and mirrors'

It's currently a mixed bag for security. Tanzania is a softer border, otherwise Kenya is troubled by unstable neighbours, particularly Somalia whose insurgents spill over the border, and from the sea in coastal regions, and even infamously into Nairobi.

Nevertheless it is heavily policed with both Kenyan and British forces ready. So that's a caution demanding a true and up to date appraisal.

But what about the Covid pandemic? I don't imagine that most of Africa will be enjoying their situation for at least another year. With the virus running hot and wild through much of the world beyond the double vaccinated places, who knows what surprises are coming.

Jackie Sheppard is absolutely spot on about having experienced advice and local contacts who can make all the difference.

4 years, 1 month ago - Moira Rowan

I have filmed in South Africa and I found it difficult to find affordable film crew, but that is just me because I work on a very tight budget and I don't need drone operators etc, food and accommodation is very affordable, but crime is very high, at one stage I was in contact with a woman in Kenya that ran an arts magazine I'm linked to her on Linkin if you want to contact her and see if she can help you