Croatia
With long stretches of coast overlooking the Adriatic Sea, much of Croatia has a pretty, Mediterranean look, with red-roofed houses and rustic villages. However, in-land is just as beautiful, with the traditional capital of Zagreb often used in historic productions, and lots of lush, green mountain scenery for outdoor shots.
Croatia is cheaper than many of its European neighbours, and foreign film crews will find the process of getting permits to be pretty easy. If you are working on a tight schedule, then NEEDaFIXER CROATIA can often get permits in less than 24 hours, especially in off-peak times.
Filming in Croatia
The only issue you might encounter is trying to film Croatian tourist spots during the summer months. If that’s the case, we can often find an alternative location, or deal with the authorities to come up with a solution.
If you are planning on filming in Croatia, then NeedaFixer can help you get the crew members that you need. Whether it’s directors and producers, camera and sound operators, or runners and assistants, we can find English-speaking crew to start work from day one. We can even find cast in Croatia, or bring in talent from abroad. You simply let us know your requirements, and we’ll send over showreels so you can make casting decisions before you even set off.
Croatia is generally a pleasant, easy place to film, with hot summers and mild winters. In the mountains, you’ll get a lot of snow in the winter months, and the country is becoming popular for skiers. Therefore, it can be used as a backdrop for lots of different productions. Croatia often stands in for Mediterranean countries where it might be more expensive to film and is often used in historic dramas due to its old-world look.
Star Wars: Episode VIII has scenes filmed in Dubrovnik, with the old town transformed into a planet far, far away. Coastal areas of Croatia have often stood in for the Italian and French Riviera in movies such as Diana, a biography of Princess Diana, and Isadora. The country also has a thriving domestic film industry, with good production facilities across Croatia.
Fixers in Croatia
NEEDaFIXER CROATIA can find suitable filming locations across the country, as well as organising transport, accommodation, cast, and crew. Zagreb has a wealth of exciting places to film, and in Orson Welles’ adaption of The Trial you’ll see locations from the vast Gothic Zagreb Cathedral which was seen in, to the modern, angular Zagreb Fair. The city stood in for Warsaw in WW2 movie Sophie’s Choice, and has also stood in for Polish cities in various historic productions. Dubrovnik on the coast is also popular thanks to its beautiful Mediterranean feel. Epic TV show Game of Thrones have used many locations in this area, including the Old Town which is full of tunnels, cobbled streets, and historic buildings that are perfect for creating a fantasy world.
What can our fixers in Croatia do for you?
At NEEDaFIXER CROATIA, we offer a huge number of pre-production and production services to keep everything running smoothly. If you are going to film in Croatia, we can ensure you have the equipment and people needed to start shooting on the date requested. We have excellent local knowledge, and can find the perfect filming location, whether it’s urban, rural, or by the sea. Croatia is a pleasant, beautiful place to film, and by contacting us on [email protected], we can make the process so much simpler for you.
Popular Croatian Filming Locations
Dubrovnik – The Old Town has been seen in fantasy series Game of Thrones, and used in Star Wars VIII. It’s often used for WW2 and other historic dramas, and has been a stand in for many different cities.
Zagreb – Zagreb has both traditional and modern filming locations, and external shots for Fiddler on the Roof were filmed on the outskirts of the city due to its resemblance to rural Russia. Jackie Chan movie Armour of God was filmed in the busy market of Zagreb, and movies such as Sophie’s Choice have transformed the capital into old-fashioned Warsaw.
Opatija – This pretty coastal town stood in for the French Riviera in Isadora, as well as crime series Crossing Lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How easy is it to get permits?
It depends on which institution you need a permit.
In general, it never takes more than two, max three weeks for most complicated locations.
Do I need a visa or work permit?
In general citizens from the EU don’t need working permits except for those countries which demand working permits for Croatian citizens (Slovenia, Austria, UK, Malta, Holland). It is simple reciprocity. Citizens of other countries need working permit except if there is an interstate agreement about working permits.
Visas are also not required for EU citizens or if you have Schengen visa. Most other countries need visa except if there is an interstate agreement about visa policy.
Can I hire equipment once there?
Yes, we have all the necessary equipment plus possibility to rent from neighbour countries which takes a couple of hours of driving.
What is the climate like?
On the coast is a typical Mediterranean climate, hot summer, mild winter. Warm weather starts at the end of April and lasts until the end of October.
On the continent are hot summers, cold winters, in the last couple of years with minimum snow in the cities. Greenery starts in the middle of March and it is green till the beginning of November.
There is also a mountain area which is very cold and snowy during winter but again warm during summer.
Existing statistics are actually inaccurate because of climate changes.
Testimonials
’You guys were amazing! You delivered perfectly at short notice in a foreign country, introduced us to lovely crew in both and really went the extra mile in making sure it was all taken care of and confirmed properly. I can’t thank you enough and look forward to working together again.’
Davo McConville
Free Lance Producer - Black Dog / RSA
’I have met NEEDaFIXER in Greece! It was LOVE from the first sight. Since then, I cannot imagine my production without them! They are like Family! Always helpful. Always happy. Always with loads of energy… & always with PASSION for what they do!’
Katarzyna Chmielarz
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