support

Ginger Films supports overseas productions in China and Mongolia on both small and large budgeted projects. We also provide location scouting and support in metropolitan and remote locations, including a location database of over 12,000 photos. The producers at Gingerfilms have specialized in the past in quick turn around projects like television commercials where the time frame is very short. If you have months to prepare for your shoot in China we can recommend you to someone else.

equipment

There are several large rental houses in China with most standard equipment, what is not available can usually be brought in by these rental houses from the region. China is PAL standard and much of the equipment is in good condition, of a recent generation. It is often difficult for people to bring their own equipment into China, confusion of the custom officials with news reportage often makes it far easier on short scheduled projects to use what is here or we can bring in for you. To have a more detailed look at what standard equipment is available we suggest a look at the CINERENT website.

helicopters

China still has very few helicopters that can be used for shooting and a very limited supply of mounts. What helicopters there are, are usually large, of current or former military use. This does make renting helicopters relatively expensive in China but the good news is that with the MD-9s, Agusta and Dauphin you have a very stable ride eliminating the need for gyro-stabilization. Gingerfilms has a good established relationships that allow us to use helicopters in Beijing, Shanghai and several other parts of the country on a regular basis. There are also some alternatives such as a light aircraft that can take off from open highways in the North than has been adapted specifically for shooting.

post

Flame, Flint, Avid suites are available at very reasonable costs, often being cheaper to do edits here with an overseas operator than taking the project back to your home country.

filmstock

Kodak manufactures most of its’ film used in Asia in China but needs to import lesser used stocks like black and white and 16mm making these formats only slightly less expensive than 35mm.

warnings

Many production houses readily dismiss the idea of shooting in China not having a clear idea where to begin. Often the first obstacle people face is bureaucratic, when visas, permission to shoot and official inquires are often met with overseas production houses being referred to official channels, government sponsored film studios that are very lethargic in their responses. This is usually because they have approached an embassy or government sponsored organization as the first resort.
The good news is that the government is not so interested in shoots that have no political implications and it is usually far easier to shoot in China with local permissions rather than national ones.
Ginger Films is very interested in developing the production industry in China. If you want to shoot in China, are running into a great wall in your inquires or just interested in what the possibilities might be please contact us.