
Tips for Filmmakers Shooting in Israel
From Permitting to Production: Navigating Filmmaking in Israel
As a foreign filmmaker, you will find Israel's multilingual culture, diverse locations, and professional crew an ideal place for film or video production. However, to make the most of your experience, we gather for you some essential points:
Video Production Services in Israel
If you're shooting a video in Israel, it's vital to understand the production services offered. Israel boasts a Western-style and well-organized market, making it easy to access production services. In addition, most crew members in Israel are unionized, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free video production experience.
Getting the Necessary Shooting Permits
Obtaining the necessary shooting permits ensures a smooth video production experience in Israel. Therefore, it's recommended that you get the permits ten days before filming to avoid any delays, fines, or even shoot cancellations.
Shooting Days and Working Hours
The Israeli working week is From Sunday to Thursday. Shooting days in Israel are usually 12 hours long (including a 1-hour lunch break). Shoot on Friday (or holiday eve) is a 10-hour working day and ends no later than 2 hours before sunset. After that, it's a Saturday fee (200%). Children's working days are limited to 4-6 hours depending on age.
VAT Reimbursement Policy
In Israel, 17% VAT is reimbursed for all production expenses through a local company, except for food, transportation, and hotels, which are only refunded to tourists. Therefore, keeping all receipts and invoices to claim the VAT refund is essential.
Production Insurance
Production insurance is mandatory by most locations to get permits and should cover liability, work-related accidents, and filmed items specified in the policy request. Therefore, obtaining insurance coverage before arriving in Israel is advisable to ensure you're covered during the entire video production process.
*Please be aware that the medical insurance provided by the production may not cover all the health needs of the international crew. It is recommended that they have private health insurance from their country of origin. This will ensure comprehensive and flexible coverage for any medical emergencies or illnesses.
Choosing the Perfect Location
When scouting for locations in Israel, remember that it's a small country, and the distance between various locations is relatively short. In addition, Israel has a diverse range of locations, such as beaches, forests, mountains, and deserts, making it ideal for any production.
Filming in Israel can be a fantastic experience for foreign filmmakers. Still, it's crucial to plan and understand the unique requirements and regulations of the country. Therefore, consulting with a local production service provider early in the planning stages is highly recommended.
From obtaining shooting permits to location scouting and production insurance, the team at FilmFixer can handle all the logistical details so that the filmmaker can focus on their creative vision. So don't leave your production to chance - contact FilmFixer today to start planning your unforgettable film or video project in Israel.
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