Different productions, differing budgets, but one constant is the cost of international crews, which can quickly mount when factoring in airfares, accommodation and per diems, not to mention the salaries. Hanuman Films can provide a range of personnel locally to assist in keeping the production within budget. There are now a surprising number of individuals with film experience in the region and with each new project they develop new skills and become more savvy. We encourage productions to use local crew where possible, as it increases their skills and experience and contributes to building up a domestic servicing industry for the future. There are many highly skilled, experienced personnel working in the large film industry in Thailand, so with a bit of homework in the Mekong region during the pre-production period, it is possible to make major savings from your budget. Not only can we recruit experienced personnel in Cambodia and the Mekong region, but we can assist in sourcing the most experienced individuals in the Thai film industry.

We have the most experienced Line Producer in Cambodia in the shape of our co-founder Kulikar Sotho. She has worked as Line Producer on Tomb Raider, the first major film to hit Cambodian shores for more than three decades, as well as countless television documentaries for BBC, Discovery and other leading channels, plus the first major international commercial to shoot in Cambodia for Dragon Air. Kulikar can take care of all local arrangements in the Mekong region, working the logistics to suit your budget. She can facilitate all filming permissions, all accommodation and transport requirements, temporary import/re-export of equipment and assist with the recruitment of local staff for a variety of roles. Add to that her excellent contacts with leading members of the Cambodian government of all political affiliations and she is a one-woman team who can keep your production on course.

When it comes to a Locations Scout, no-one has covered more ground for more productions than Nick Ray. He has worked on scouts for four major feature films, including Beyond Borders, Tomb Raider and Two Brothers, plus several major television programmes for leading networks such as BBC, NBC and Discovery. Nick has that handy knack for interpreting the script and finding the right locations at the first time of asking. With a background in photography, as well as writing, he is used to finding stunning locations and is privy to some of the best-kept secrets across the Mekong region. The world’s most challenging film-makers are always on the look-out for virgin territory, those classic locations that have never before been seen and in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, there are plenty out there, waiting to be revealed to the world.

Scout with Nick Ray safe in the knowledge that you are scouting with the best in the Mekong region. He has gone the extra distance over the past decade to ensure that your production will benefit from the best locations in this up and coming part of the world for international film-makers. Go the extra distance with him and you will find some of the finest locations on earth.

Our Location Scout Nick Ray also operates as a Location Manager for major productions. He and his team can manage locations all over the region, ensuring the unit gets the job done efficiently and effectively and that the authorities are happy with proceedings. This may be stating the obvious at popular locations in the West, but in the Mekong region, governments and local authorities are still somewhat sensitive about filming and the Location Manager needs to keep them on side throughout the shoot. It’s possible but it takes a whole lot of patience and practice and some leading international Location Managers have been known to rub authorities up the wrong way, as they are not used to working in this alternative environment. Play it safe, avoid unnecessary hiccups and stick with a team that knows how to get things done smoothly for all concerned. Nick Ray and his team will ensure your production gets the film in the can come the end of each day.

Hanuman Films has worked with several local ADs on films in the region. Most of them have received international training in the former Eastern bloc during communist days so are technically proficient. We can provide shadows for 1st ADs and 2nd ADs with the main unit for controlling extras and communicating with local crew and local authorities during the shoot. We also work with ADs with substantial casting experience and this makes life a lot easier when it comes to recruiting large numbers of local extras for crowd scenes. They are able to build up a large photographic portfolio of potential extras for the 2nd AD to browse, saving time and money for the production. For some of the more straightforward roles of a 3rd AD, such as crowd control at shared locations, it is also possible for us to recruit local expatriate staff on a daily basis. At a more basic level, we can provide runners for ADs to assist with small tasks during the shoot. Bring your team, but let them arrive confident that there are capable locals here on the ground who can contribute to the success of the production.

Skilled carpenters, masons and sculptors are found throughout the region at very competitive prices compared with back home. Under the active supervision of a Production Designer, Art Director, Set Dresser or Property Master, they can produce almost anything to order. As labour costs are so low, sets can be put together in a remarkably short space of time with a huge team of local labour. Whole villages can be constructed in the space of just a few days, using traditional methods. Who needs a studio when you can build the real thing to a smaller budget?