Africa advice

[Steven Parker]

Hey Gang--

Going to Sudan for a three week shoot. Any advice?

I know about immunizations, visas, carnets, etc.... was wondering about some real-world tips on shooting in northwest Africa.

NOT going to Darfur, going with a humanitarian organization to highlight the history, culture and similarities in the various groups/factions and discourage perceived religious and social differences.

Thanks

[Moir]

Hey Gang--

Going to Sudan for a three week shoot. Any advice?

I know about immunizations, visas, carnets, etc.... was wondering about some real-world tips on shooting in northwest Africa.

Thanks

Ummm....get a map.... Sudan is in NE Africa ;)

Other than that, be prepared for more dust than you could ever imagine and keep out of fresh water (bilharzia)

[Dominic Jones]

Yup, I second dust - you'll have to really look after your kit to keep it in good shape. Take about 3 lens cloths!

Also, check the humidity levels - I haven't shot in Sudan, but some parts of Africa get a very wet heat, even in fairly arid regions. If it's very hot and/or humid you want to put all your kit in resealable plastic bags when you move between the air-con inside and hot/humid air outside, otherwise condensation will be a nightmare. You can open the bags slightly whilst the kit humidifies to speed the process, and depending on the relative temperatures it should take about 20-30 mins to be usable.

Again, not sure about Sudan, and the parts you are or aren't going to, but some of Africa can, obviously, be a little bit interesting. I'd always keep all of your kit (at least the essentials to do the job) on you or in a locked van (preferably still with someone looking over it) until or unless you're sure you're in a good bit of town, so to speak! Don't get me wrong, everything's normally fine, but just take standard "I don't know the lay of the land yet" precautions, is all I'm saying...

And have a great time - you'll love it if you haven't been to Africa before!

[Bruce Allen]

I'm from South Africa, so that's a long way away. However, I second Dominic and Moir's advice on filming in dusty developing nations with warm climates.

You are going to have a fantastic time and everything will be fine. However, I wouldn't leave kit visibile and unguarded, even in a good part of town. It's just that everyone is so poor that if someone steals your camera, it is a life-changing windfall for the thief... So the temptation is huge. I wrote in an earlier post that a Red costs more than a house in South Africa.

Anyway, just trust the locals who are part of your organization, relax, and you will have a wonderful time. You will also do a lot of good just by being there. Thanks for going there!

Please feel free to PM / email me if you have any specific questions about my continent ;)

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

[Bruce Allen]

Oh yes, also, tell us what you are going to be filming, what equipment you are planning on taking, etc. We might be able to help ;)

Of course, they are PAL and 220v, (so watch for fluorescent light flicker if you are shooting on NTSC) but I'm sure you knew that already.

Cheers
Bruce

[Steven Parker]

Yes... northEAST Africa... working on about 4 hrs sleep:huh:

Thank you all for the tips, dust I was thinking about, humidity I'm told is negligible - but I will add those preparations to the (long) to-do list

Bruce, I visited Africa once, for a day - Tangiers... bit touristy, isn't it? That's one of the reasons I'm looking forward to this.

We're taking 4 DVX100s, 1 HVX200 w/35mm Zeiss SS primes and the prod co's BetaSP as a last resort backup - if an operator gets sick, I'll call you!

[Ken Willinger]

I've had problems going through customs in some countries, particularly in Africa. Shakedowns by customs officials happen often. Make sure you have the proper documentation leaving the US (a Carnet). But in most African countries a Carnet is not recognized. I create a list of everything I'm importing (make sure it's a complete list) with item name, model number and serial number if applicable. I make two versions of the list. One with prices next to the items (heavily discounted) and one without prices at all. When you get to customs you may be asked to produce a list of equipment being imported into the country. Show the list without the prices because if they decide to shake you down with an "import tax", they'll ask you what the stuff is worth, and base the tax on the prices you quote them. If they won't accept a list without prices, then you search you're bag again and magically come up with a list that has prices. To the customs officer, "I knew I had the proper list somewhere, I just couldn't find it!". Make sure you make these lists look official on a proper letterhead with the company name and info on it.

I saved the production company a small fortune with my heavily discounted price list on a trip to Kenya. And even though I had the list, the customs agent impounded the gear (it took us a day to get it out) and then had the audacity after having officially impounding the gear as a customs agent, to hand me his card as a customs broker to help me get the gear out of customs! What a racket!

My worst customs experience was in Trinidad. After having to go through every single item on the list and checking every single serial number to the item (this took hours as I was traveling with 15 cases of gear), the gear was impounded for three days. They locked it in a huge steel shipping container, the type you see on cargo ships, which sat behind the customs area in direct sunlight all day. I couldn't even imagine how hot it must have been in there in the middle of the day. Fortunately it all worked when I finally got it released. Getting it released was a huge ordeal involving diplomats and people in high places.

You could try to take the gear through customs without declaring it but you are taking a big chance by doing that and the possibility that it could be consficated...for good.

Make sure you get a great local fixer to work with you on the ground. They make things go much smoother by knowing how the system works...and even a greater driver, they know where to go and where not to go. They can save your life, literally. Good luck.

[Mark Thorpe]

Take a LOT of Ziploc's. I worked in Djibouti for a couple of years in my Jaded past and I can tell you that dust really is a problem, gets everywhere. I would suggest keeping your cams in the Ziplocs at ALL times when not in use. Also store the Ziplocs somewhere shaded, you wouldn't want condensation to build up inside them. Gets real cold at night time if you're gonna spend time outside, take warm clothes.

Keep everything under wraps as mentioned. I was surrounded by four machete wielding nutters who wanted nothing more than my little Olympus camera. They WILL 'shoot first and ask questions later' if they think their benefit is worth the risk. Take care not to walk around after dark and alone, you stand out like a sore thumb anyway so no need to advertise your 'availability'. If you are North American I would also suggest that you take a very subservient approach with regards to the amount of conversation you engage in whilst in public. I had a hard enough time with people thinking my dulcet southern English tones were not American and that was at a time when that region was pretty calm, or at least compared to current political issues in that part of the World.

This all paints a pretty grim image of the place but its best to be prepared for the worst. I'm sure you'll have a great time without problems. Just take care of everything and remain more an onlooker as opposed to a vocally, attention drawing outsider.

Cheers,
Mark.

[Ace]

I assume youll be in Khartoum, nice city. Not related, but if possible, take a detour to Cairo after all is done and spend some time there. Try the stuffed pigeons. Marvelous city and very photogenic during all hours of the day. AFAIK Egypt has played a large role as Sudans neighbour over the years so it may fit into the story somehow!

[Steve Gibby]

I would get an ATA Carnet for international travel. If you're not familiar with it, it is a certified customs form booklet that has the serial numbers of all your equipment logged in it. When you leave each country, and arrive in the next, you have customs sign in/out your equipment. When you bring your equipment back into the USA you won't be charged import fees on your equipment. If you do have any damage or theft the documentary record of the Carnet is something that will save you nightmares in dealing with your insurance company. For the equipment you listed, a Carnet is just a few hundred dollars. Link: http://www.atacarnet.com/

As others have said...watch your stuff closely. Get shots that are needed, and be careful what you eat.

I've shot in South Africa and Mozambique on two extended trips. Can't wait to go back...

EDIT1: In checking the ATA Carnet web site, I see that Sudan isn't on their list of participating countries. I'd still get one to preclude any problems bringing your camera equipment back into the USA.

EDIT2, example of an equipment nightmare: I had a nightmare getting out of China when I worked on an ESPN International production there in 1994. The rest of the crew left before me. I stayed to get some pickup shots for a few days. Unfortunately the crew took some of the equipment that was listed on the manifest for my camera package. Chinese customs wanted me to sign an affadavit acknowledging that me and ESPN owed them $22k USD for importing camera equipment! I went to the U.S. embassy and got it straightened out - several hours of biting nails. No fun! Keep your equipment paperwork straight, and keep backup copies of it somewhere.

[Bruce Allen]

've shot in South Africa and Mozambique on two extended trips. Can't wait to go back...

Gibby, how was the customs experience in South Africa for you? Supposedly we are not that bad for that kind of thing, but I would like to know what it was like from a foreigner's perspective...

Talking of Africa, Gibby, I'm sure South Africa can't wait to have you (and all other Red members ;) come to visit. You expertise will be very much welcomed. There's a lot of excitement about Red there. Some of the rental houses there are very progressive and I'm sure they'll be getting a bunch of Reds soon. When the Sony FX1 first came out, I was able it to rent it at a good rate in South Africa (they were called digitalfilm - they're a good bet for Red cameras, methinks) before my friends in America had even got to play with it... and if you're planning on shooting some BMW commercials, Hotel Rwanda etc, we also have all the right Cooke glass, lustre suites, etc, plus a bunch of very friendly and skilled people.

Anyway, if any Red owners are considering shooting in SA, send me an email. I will put you in touch with a bunch of people who would be eager to help you out. How eager? I mean, these are people who got excited waiting for the first sample photos from a Canon 1Ds to download on their a DIAL-UP connection because we knew it would only be a matter of time before they got that kind of sensor to shoot at a high enough fps...

Fovean, I have never been to Tangiers, so no I don't think you are being touristy at all! Very cool. By the way, everyone's advice here has been excellent. As a local I couldn't have done any better. You guys are so nice and know your stuff. What a great community.

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

[Moir]

I've crossed my fair share of African borders, although not with expensive film kit. Although I was often asked for a "cadeau" by customs officials, the only time I ever paid up was leaving what used to be Zaire. I had screwed-up my currency declaration form and my stash of "declared" currency didn't match the form.

In all other instances, I stood my ground, kept a big smile on my face and made out it was all a great joke. After a while, these guys usually get bored and look for somebody else to shake down. Unfortunately, if you have a lot of obviously very valuable kit, they might not give up so easily. Bottom line - have all the paperwork in order and don't lose your cool.

In my experience, the further you get from tourist areas, the less hassle you get. Tourists are walking cash machines in countries like Kenya; I suspect that you will find the Sudanese a lot less predatory.

[Steven Parker]

Wow, thank you all!

Feels like I've got a ton of bodyguards watching my back! :ninja:

I take all your stories and advice to heart and appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Unfortunately now I'll miss NAB - and a chance at meeting some of you - and beers in Vegas with some of you! :bye2:

[Steve Gibby]

Bruce,

Thank you for the kind offer of support for projects in South Africa. I hope to take you up on that! On both my trips to SA I found customs to be no problem at all. Our crew traveled with an ATA Carnet, so we had USA customs sign our equipment out, SA customs sign it into SA, and then the reverse on the way back.

On both trips we were doing an interesting mix of projects: Fox Sports Net and ESPN coverage of ASP World Contest Tour professional surfing events at Jeffreys Bay and Durban, shooting for SA Tourism, and nature/adventure travel stock footage shooting at Kruger National Park, Phinda Game Reserve, the Drakensburgs, and many other locations. Both trips were a fantastic experience! I'd go back to South Africa in a heartbeat...

[Ken Corben]

I love RSA and have been there a half dozen times spending more than a year on locations from Gansbai to Umkomaas (sp?). I thought my Australian brothers were the craziest blokes around until I spent time in RSA - Afrikaners win hands down (Cane Rat Brie Anyone?)

Like Gibby said, with a carnet customs was always helpful in Cape Town - easy in easy out even with 15+ cases of gear. They were even so kind as to allow me to hand carry my 35mm film (12 rolls or so) after inspecting the exposed negative in my film tent at the gate. The footage was UW 48fps of great white sharks I'd spent a month in the water to get.

I started fedexing dive gear and support equipment to locations in '99 for logistical reasons (rampant baggage theft in Miami etc). We sent over 22 bags of gear including our rebreathers to Greenland and the Canadian Arctic via Fedex no problem.

I had my underwater lights and comm gear sent from LA to Capetown for a shoot. At the fedex counter they required an "import tax" on the used gear which was around 10K Rand ($1000 USD at that time) even though I showed them my RSA work permit to film a documentary. I was told I could collect a refund in Capetown.

Two days and about 6 governmental offices later, made Mexico look efficient, I got the answer - there was no refund coming.

Will I be back with my UW Red? In a heartbeat but it won't be going fedex.

[Steven Parker]

Will I be back with my UW Red? In a heartbeat but it won't be going fedex.

Ouch.

If you go back, who will you ship with?

[Ken Corben]

I will hand carry cameras and lenses thru LA - Miami - Capetown and bring all gear as checked luggage with SAA - one of the better airlines in the world from my experience.

Pre 9/11 a SAA Captian and FO let me ride jump seat in their new 747-400 across the Atlantic at night. As a pilot I wanted to talk airplanes and as Afrikaners they wanted to hear about diving in RSA.

[Bruce Allen]

I had my underwater lights and comm gear sent from LA to Capetown for a shoot. At the fedex counter they required an "import tax" on the used gear which was around 10K Rand ($1000 USD at that time) even though I showed them my RSA work permit to film a documentary. I was told I could collect a refund in Capetown.

I'm sorry to hear that! It's true - if you post anything that looks expensive to South Africa, customs will definitely try to nail you :( it's a major source of revenue.

I'm glad to know the carnet thing worked in Cape Town, though. Filming is a huge boost to the local economy, you think they'd try to make it easy all of the time! I agree with your post about hand-carrying, it seems to work best.

By the way, next time if customs tries to screw over a Red member in South Africa, let me know - I have a friend doing shipping law there and he could probably hook us up with a couple lawyers who know how to deal with customs...

I'm from Pietermaritzburg myself (about 40 mins' drive from Durban), so all of the places you guys mention bring back lots of nice memories! I used to go hiking in the Drakensberg mountains all of the time, sleeping in caves, looking at rock art. I agree Phinda. If you have a limited time in SA and want to see some animals, it is a good bet, especially if you are into cheetahs. Of course, there are cheaper options and provided you have a little more time / luck, you can still see some good stuff.

By the way, if Red folk are running around South Africa and realize you need to do an overnight RedCine job, call me and I will try to hook you up with the nearest fast computer... I also know a bunch of people in post production around the country. No promises on the Internet speed, though ;)

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

[Steve Gibby]

Very cool...thanks Bruce! Be talking to you...

On the subject of carry-on, in the mid-'90's we kept having problems with cameras when we'd get on location somewhere in the world. One day, while settling into my seat for a flight from LAX to Europe, I happened to look out the window at the baggage handlers cart - just in time to see him drop my grey Sony hard case from about 6' up in the air straight down onto the concrete. Sure enough...in Europe we had problems again with the cameras. A little light went off in my head..."Ahhh...its the baggage handlers that are causing our problems!". When we got back we bought carry-on camera cases, and ever since then we've always used them...and not one camera problem on location since! I carry-on cameras and smaller lenses, and ship the rest in locked Pelican cases. No problems with anything since then...

[Steven Parker]

Yeah, that's the plan right, hand carry as much as we can and ship the less fragile stuff in baggage section. They're still deciding on an airline but I'll mention SAA and see if they fly to Khartoum...

Bruce, very cool to offer up help/connections in South Africa - hopefully some (many) of us will be able to take advantage of them!