Argentina Special: Shooting in Argentina

From stupendously semicircular waterfalls to gobsmacking glaciers, Argentina is blessed with the kind of natural charms that make directors drool. It also offers buzzy Buenos Aires, a capital packed with cool vistas, expert production services and a pleasing lack of red tape before the cameras roll. Here are some of the pros and (very few) cons of shooting in the land of the silver mountains

Argentina has one of the most dynamic and creative production businesses in Latin America. This, combined with relatively low production costs, explains why it has become a centre of excellence for film, television and commercials production. The country is also blessed with stunning natural landscapes and diverse architecture – another reason for the country’s popularity as a shooting location.

Crew and technicians are smart and resourceful, with some saying this is due to a facility for ‘making do’ during the many economic downturns the country has weathered.

In terms of casting, many Argentines are of European descent. This, combined with indigenous peoples and new waves of immigration from Asia, makes for a diverse population. It also helps that the country’s capital city, Buenos Aires, is also the centre for the production industry and is renowned for its buzzing cultural life, bars, eateries and nightlife.

Recent productions

In any given year, around 100-130 commercials are shot in Buenos Aires. Some international clients come to take advantage of the city’s iconic images, others, including top brands like Cartier and Continental Airlines, have sought low-cost doubles for European cities (it’s stood in for Paris, London and New York in the past). Filmmakers also come to utilise the technical expertise on offer. Last year, for example, Hollywood director Peter Berg shot stunning underwater scenes in Buenos Aires for a series of Coors Light ads.

Studios in the capital

Buenos Aires has an abundance of studios. One of the better known is Studio Baires, located at Don Torcuato. Situated on a six-acre site, Baires is fully equipped for film, TV and commercials (and has a swimming pool beneath the floor of one of its studios). Over the years, clients have included MTV, Sony, FremantleMedia and Toyota. Buenos Aires’ production centre is the lively Palermo neighbourhood, nicknamed Palermo Hollywood due to its proliferation of audiovisual facilities.

Permits for filming

On the whole, the procedure for obtaining film permits for Argentina is relatively easy and not very costly. The exception to this is filming in national parks, which can lead to a more bureaucratic and expensive process. The best place to start is with the Buenos Aires city council’s film department. Here you will find an online permit management system, BASet, which enables speedy access to permits (it’s possible to request a permit up to four days before shooting). However, as much of the information is not accessible in any language other than Spanish, it might be handy to work together with an experienced local service company. Also, make sure you’re up to date with the country’s visa requirements, particularly if bringing equipment in on a plane.

A bounty of locations

Argentina offers a truly diverse range of geographical features, from cool coastal scenery to the Pampas grasslands, glacial lakes, subtropical rainforests, farmlands, vineyards and the Andes mountains. There are famous sites, such as the Iguazu Falls, the Perito Moreno glacier in El Calafate or the wild Patagonian region with its steppe-like plains.

The sheer size of the country (2,780,400km2) could be seen as a disadvantage, as the hunt for new locations requires extensive travel. However, not much mileage needs to be covered for shooting in Buenos Aires, plus filmmakers can not only utilise the city’s high-quality crews and equipment, but the services of The Buenos Aires Film Commission, which has plenty of experience helping producers scout the right locations.

Equipment availability

Argentina’s healthy domestic production business means it’s well supplied by equipment rentals and production services. Most kit suppliers are based in Buenos Aires – a point that needs to be considered if your shoot is far from the capital. Also keep in mind that Argentine rental firms often prefer to deal with local companies known to them. This, combined with the need to get permits, makes having a local partner advisable for shooting here.

Tax breaks and incentives

Argentina doesn’t have any legally-enshrined incentives as yet, but Buenos Aires is trying to push through a city-based bill that would provide financial support to the sector. This would take two forms: firstly, the audiovisual sector would be reclassified so that it could benefit from a lower tax rate; secondly, Palermo would be defined as an audiovisual district. After this, any media companies staying in or moving into Palermo would see their property-based taxes capped. As a rule, national and local film commissions are helpful and can sometimes secure discounts for location scouting trips and hotels.