France is one impressive destination when it comes to producing videos and other media products. Media production in France can be both easy and tricky, so the best way to go is to do your homework in advance. This is how you can nail your production from the start in this amazing country.
Media production in France – a short how-to
The first thing you need to consider when it comes to media production in France is price. A European country with a higher-than-average income, France is not cheap for anything related to production services. Movies are their own category, but for regular productions like documentaries or promotions, France can be both expensive and not that much. Do your homework beforehand to calculate a budget that’s close to what you’d expect once on the ground. Filming permits cost money, with some locations asking thousands of euros for a minute of filming.
Another thing to look into when you prepare for your media production in France is local help. Hiring staff from the ground will usually be cheaper than flying your own in, and most people in France speak good English, which eliminates the language barrier. Local fixers will help you with things like transportation, accommodation, equipment, and repairs, as well as with finding actors or other people for your crew such as handymen. Hiring people who’re from the place you’re about to shoot at makes things much easier from a logistical standpoint.
Third, locations. These vary from place to place and remember that France is a massive country on the map and in real life. It’s one thing to have your locations concentrated in one area of around100 kilometers. And a completely different one to have to shoot in Paris and Marseille, which are in the same country but 650 kilometers apart.
Top 3 places to film in France
Paris might be at the top of the list when you book your locations for a media production in France. There are many other top locations where big movies have been shot in this superb place. One is Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, Burgundy where the movie “Chocolat” was made. This village with just about 300 inhabitants simply looks like a movie set. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen, with medieval walls and castles that will put your mind to work and your imagination on high alert.
If you’re not into medieval castles, check out Col de Peyresourde in the French Pyrenees. This place is green, and ideal for those who’re into natural landscapes or cycling. This is one of the most famous of all destinations in the Tour de France. It has also been made famous by the Tomorrow Never Dies movie from 1997. The last destination for filming in Franceis Gourdon, a scenic village on the famous Côte d’Azur. Just search for a few photos from this place and you’ll forever be hooked to it. Bon voyage, or as they say in France… bon voyage!