JAMAICAN CINEMA… (In the Entertainment industry. History of Jamaican Cinema)

JAMAICAN CINEMA… (In the Entertainment industry. History of Jamaican Cinema)

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Jamaican Cinema

Jamaican Film Commission

https://www.filmjamaica.com/

Jamaican Film Festivals

Reggae Film Festival

www.reggaefilmfestival.com.

Flashpoint Film Festival

Despite Jamaica never having a very strong film industry, the island has produced notable films from the 1970s on wards. The most critically acclaimed film is The Harder They Come, by Perry Henzell, which received international acclaim. The Jamaican government and various private citizens have tried to promote the creation of new films by the creation of certain agencies such as the Jamaican Film Commission, and film festivals such as the Reggae Film Festival. The Harder They Come sparked trends that were apparent in following films such as Dance-hall Queen and One Love, both directed by Don Letts and Rick Elgood.

Reggae Film Festival

Reminiscing on the success of The Harder They Come, the Reggae Film Festival was started in 2008 in Emancipation Park, New Kingston, and seeks to encourage the same success by hosting a film festival annually. People from Jamaica and other countries such as Spain, Germany, the U.S, and Canada bring their films to the festival which lasts for three days. On the last day six people with notable productions are inducted as the first executive directors of a Jamaica film. The current director is Barbara Blake Hannah, who is also the current executive director of the Jamaican film industry.

Flashpoint Film Festival

Seeking to encourage the creation of new films after movies, Paul Bucknor, Greer Ann, and Bertam Sam created the Flashpoint Film Festival in 2004. The Flashpoint Film Festival started in The Caves, a hotel located in Negril, Jamaica. The festival allows for directors to come together and display their films for the locals. As the advent of digital cameras drastically reduce the cost of creating a film, the aim of the film festival is to help develop a film industry within the Caribbean by uniting filmmakers old and new with an international audience.

In 2008, the Flashpoint Film Festival was moved to Port Royal in hopes of attracting residents from Kingston to festival.

In 2008, the notable film Better Mus Come premiered during the Festival.

Emerge Films Solutions

https://emergefilmsolutions.com/country/Jamaica/

Jamaica Film & Photography Production Services

Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Jamaica? We have fully vetted, locally based fixers, service producers, directors, DP’s, videographers, cameramen, photographers, sound operators, production drivers, and a range of other film crew. Contact us for referrals, questions, cost estimates and references.

Want to know more about shooting in Jamaica? See below for an introduction to Jamaica locations, permits, when to shoot, costs, talent, crews, equipment, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits, film friendly hotels, transport, communications and safety advice.

Jamaica Film Locations

The home of Reggae music and Caribbean chill, Jamaica has long been a popular destination for international productions having had hosted films such as Cool Runnings, Legends of the Fall, Cocktail, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and the Bond Films – Golden Eye, Dr No, and Live and Let Die.

Kingston is the capital and main entry point by air. The city offers bustling Caribbean streets, vibrant markets, Spanish Town’s colonial architecture, old forts, urban areas, and landmarks such as the Bob Marley Museum. Note some locations, such as the Bob Marley Museum, require location releases.

Jamaica has doubled for many different countries. The country can be divided into several climatic zones. Negril and Montego Bay on the west coast has a dry climate with miles of untouched, palm-lined, white sand beaches and turquoise waters. The eastern side of Jamaica is more lush, with dense rain forests, beautiful waterfalls such as the Dunns River Falls, and gorgeous coastline such as Frenchman’s Cove Beach. The south of Jamaica offers dark sand beaches and even areas where cactus grows. The north coast is lined with palm trees. The Blue Mountains area has a cooler climate with coffee plantations and pine trees. Jamaica is also known for its banana and sugarcane plantations.

Jamaica Film Location Permits

A Film License is required for filming in Jamaica. The license costs $300 per shoot and allows you to film public locations all over the island. To apply for a permit we will need to submit your project synopsis, fee, and proof of insurance. Location specific permits are often arranged on the parish level. The general rule in Jamaica is to allow plenty of lead time for permits, especially if you require street closures or large setups. Filming in national parks and markets requires separate permits. Many locations allow free use if there is a tourism benefit. Please contact us for location specific information.

When To Shoot?

Jamaica has a tropical climate with year-round conditions ideal for film shoots. When it does rain, showers are short, heavy and followed by sunshine. The rainiest weather occurs in May and June and later in October and November. Tropical storms and hurricanes can occur between July and November. For monthly weather statistics please see here.

Bob Marley Week takes place in February. Jamaica Carnival, held in March / April is the biggest event of the year with street parades, calypso music and dancing.

Costs & Tax Incentives

Costs in Jamaica are comparable to the rest of the Caribbean. The greatest cost is the possible need to bring in your key crew and equipment. Our Jamaican fixer / production manager will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.

Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in Jamaica.

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. Jamaica has a very small pool of local directors, videographers and stills photographers. Key crew are generally brought in from abroad.

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 Jamaica.

Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable. Jamaica offers mainly Afro-Caribbean looking talent. There is also a small pool of multicultural talent looks suitable for featured roles.

Jamaica Film Equipment

Jamaica has a 3 ton truck with basic grip and lighting equipment. Some camera equipment is available locally including a RED with a small number of lenses. Equipment is based in Kingston. All other equipment including underwater housing, large cranes, or car kits needs to be brought in from abroad. Miami is the closest major production center. Jamaica is not an ATA carnet country but bringing in gear is easy. Our Jamaican service producer / fixer arranges a local customs broker. Visitors arrive with listed gear. To save on costs it’s best to try to bring all gear in on one flight.

Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production

Art department and set construction. Jamaica as production designers and skilled construction crews. Props and wardrobe are limited beyond local looks.

Studios and back-lots. Some basic facilities exist. No major studio facilities at present.

Post Production. Post abroad.

Visas & Work Permits

Visas and Work Permits. Crews who are entering Jamaica on Western passports can enter visa-free for periods of up to 180 days depending on the country. US travelers.

Transport & Accommodation

Transportation Infrastructure. Jamaica has an extensive network of roads. Most locations are less than a 3 hour drive from Kingston or Montego Bay. Kingston roads can get congested and many rural roads are in poor state of repair with limited signage. Several international airlines service flights to Jamaica.

Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Jamaica include:

• Rockhouse Hotel
• The Caves
• Geejam

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. Our Jamaican producer / fixer organizes an appropriate level of security for each shoot.

Hire Jamaica Production Support & Shooting Crew

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Jamaica, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Jamaica, 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.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Emerge Film Solutions, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, "Film Jamaica", Campbell, Howards. "CINEMA-JAMAICA: Gloomy Future for Jamaican Movies", "Cinema in Jamaica - The Legacy of The Harder They Come - Imaginations", Polack, Peter (19 February 2017). "History of Cinema in Jamaica | History Cooperative", Blackford, Richard. "Jamaica's film industry – 100 years on and we are still gasping for breath – Columns", "About Us | Jamaica International Reggae Film Festival"

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Jamaica Film Festival Logo / Photo Credit: Carole Beckford - Jamaican Film Festival