Filming in Mexico

Shoot Your Film In Mexico

Home to ancient ruins, exotic jungles, mountainous landscape and stunning sand beaches, Mexico is a varied and popular filming destination.

Filming in Mexico

International movies such as The Magnificent Seven, Titanic and Predator have all been filmed here, and it’s easy to see why. The rich cultural history along with the variety of different settings lends itself to a number of different shoots.

At NEEDaFIXER, we are able to help production and media companies, documentary filmmakers and other crews with filming requirements in Mexico. We have an international talent pool of fixers that can help you with all the practical elements and fundamentals of planning a film shoot in Mexico.

When you need help with arranging permits, shooting locations, crews, local talent and equipment, our fixers are available to help. Permits can take some time to secure, especially when those permits are seeking permission to film amongst ruins or sites of historical interest.

NEEDaFIXER can help with this process of application by contacting appropriate departments and providing feedback on likely timescales. Worthy of note is the fact that permission to film at Mayan ruins is generally not granted to commercial productions, but you can increase the chances of an application being successful if it can be shown that the production will benefit Mexico tourism.

In addition to permits, there are a number of other essentials that our team can help with.

Fixers in Mexico

When you need help arranging a film shoot in Mexico, our fixers are available to assist.

We can help with crucial elements of planning and logistics, such as:

Costs and financing

Generally speaking, Mexico is a cost-effective filming location, one that is more affordable than the US. With this said, costs can be incurred with travel given the expansive size and scale of the country, but these can be minimized with forward-thinking, logistics and planning.

Crews and talent sourcing

If you need help finding anything from a director to a photographer, our fixers can tap into both unionized and non-unionized talent pools to find someone suitable.

Translation

English is widely spoken in Mexico, and most crews and actors have experience working on international productions. That said, we have fixers available that are able to translate wherever needed.

Travel

Flights regularly run between Mexico and major production centres such as London, Los Angeles and Vancouver, and we can assist with arranging both transport to Mexico and to and from the filming location as required.

Once you have chosen your desired filming location, our fixers can help arrange film-friendly hotels or self-catered accommodation near to your shoot for utmost convenience.

If you’re bringing cast or crewmembers with you to Mexico, we can arrange work permits wherever necessary. Note that individuals travelling on passports issued by western countries will not require a work visa for stays of 180 days or less.

Premiums

In Mexico, 10-hour days are standard, while night shots are set on an 8-hour shoot time. Anything above this or any footage shot on public holidays (and in some cases weekends) are subject to premiums. At NEEDaFIXER, we can help you navigate the fees based on timing, location, and whether the cast/crew in question are unionized, providing you with helpful guidance.

Set construction and studio sourcing

Excellent art department talent on the ground in Mexico can help you construct a purpose-built sets, while production facilities such as Baja Studios (the shooting site of “Titanic”) and backlots already exist.

Tax Incentives and credits

There are a number of tax incentives and rebates in place for films shot in Mexico, and our team can help you make the most of these to help your movie stay within budget.

Safety and travel advisories

One of our fixers can help you arrange security for travel if required. We keep up to date with all travel advice as issued by the Mexican government so we can offer the best advice based on your needs and chosen location.

These are just a few of the offerings available at NEEDaFixer. No matter the size or scale of your shoot in Mexico, our team exists to provide hands-on practical support to make it a success.

Popular Mexican filming locations

Whether it’s a feature film, commercial, stills campaign, promotional video or TV series, there are a number of stunning locations throughout Mexico that can work well to suit your needs.

Among the most popular filming locations in Mexico include:

• Mexico City – The hub of the country’s film industry, Mexico City is home to all the post-production facilities in the nation. It is also one of the largest cities in the world, providing plenty in the way of spectacular and varied backdrops. Fixers can help you arrange travel to and from filming sites, some of which include pyramid ruins, upscale neighbourhoods and slums.
• Guadalajara – Guadalajara is Mexico’s second largest city, home to neoclassical architecture and colonial landmarks, along with sites such as the Palacio del Gobierno.
• Guanajuato – A city in central Mexico’s Bajío region, Guanajuato is home to a number of archaeological sites, along with a network of underground driving tunnels.
• Oaxaca – Oaxaca is known for many things, including its rough terrain, high indigenous population, its culinary scene and world-famous Dia de Los Muertos festival, one of the best in Mexico.
• Cozumel – This stunning Mexican island is home to plenty in the way of natural beauty, and is famed for its scuba diving. The Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park and Chankanaab Eco Park, which surrounds a lagoon with underwater caverns, are particularly stunning.

Other smaller towns like San Miguel de Allende and Puebla offer traditional colonial settings, while larger beachfront resort areas like Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco have long stretches of white sand along with ample amenities and facilities.

Other sites of interest include:

• Agua Azul Waterfalls
• Cave of Swallows
• Chichen Itza ruins
• Copper Canyon
• The Cave of Crystals
• Palenque ruins
• Tulum Mayan ruins
• Sian Ka’an Reserve

We can’t stress enough how beautiful Mexico is a country, and many people cannot believe how majestic the archaeological sites and beautiful colonial city scenery are. Mexican culture is about passion, family, music and great food – so it’s the perfect place for feature film and TV productions.

To find out more about shooting locations, crew and casting or any other service you may need, contact NEEDaFIXER today.

We Can Support You With All Aspects of the Filming Process

Whether you’re filming a movie, TV show or corporate videos, our team can help you with every element of the production process. We understand that it’s difficult to get a production off the ground, which is why we have an extensive team of producers, directors, creatives and technical specialists to provide advice, support and information.

Some of our more unique but in-demand services include:

Location Scouting

Finding the right location for your production is essential for its success and Mexico has some stunning locations. From colonial buildings to historical sites and a tropical jungle,we’ll help you make sure that your production comes to life.

Production Manager

If you’d like some help liaising with the Mexican authorities, we can assign you a production manager to provide support and advise so you can streamline each aspect of the filming process. This includes helping you to navigate how the Mexican Film Commissions policies work and sourcing the right film crew.

Filming Crews

As a part of our production services, we can help you to find the right film equipment for your needs and have a skilled crew of professionals who will always go the extra mile to ensure your production is the best it can possibly be.

Post Production Support

We completely understand that while many of our clients want to be involved in the planning and filming process, they’re less enthusiastic about editing. Our production company specialises in providing expert support for after the camera crews finish filming.

We’ll ensure that everything from the opening sequence to the end scene is perfect.

Frequently Asked Questions