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Setting up a foreign shoot

If you're working on a production and you're going to shoot overseas, this checklist will help you.

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1. Check if the country you're visiting is on the Hostile Environments List (available from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office)

2. Research any health requirements (immunisations etc) for the country you'll be visiting

3. Check and verify passports your crew's passports. Could there be a problem at immigration because of someone's nationality or somewhere they've previously visited (visas)? Crews often have two passports for this reason

4. Keep photocopies of passports and visas separate from the originals

5. You don’t need a carnet for EU destinations but an equipment list might be useful to have for customs

6. Try to get the crew to all travel together – it increases your baggage allowance

7. If you're going to incur an excess baggage charge, make sure you warn the airline – particularly important with smaller low-budget airlines

8. Hire local fixers by contacting the British Embassy, local TV / news companies or programme teams who've recently visited the country

9. Consider contacting the British Embassy or Consul on arrival, so you are on their list in case of evacuation

10. Ensure your team back in the UK has all contact details for next of kin / famillies in case of any emergencies

11. Allow time for local customs, local holidays, and any jet-lag / time difference in your schedule

12. Be aware of any local dress restrictions

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These courses will help you improve your production skills:

PA Location Shooting
This course focuses on setting up a documentary shoot and the skills needed on location and during post production. Two shooting exercises and accompanying edits introduce delegates to schedule preparation, shot-listing and continuity

Factual Production Co-ordination
The A-Z of the production co-ordinator's role in factual programmes from initial production set-up, through budgeting, to co-ordinating studio and location programmes

PA Foundation
A comprehensive introduction to the role and skills of the PA. Four studio and two location exercises plus seminars given by current practitioners and experts ensure an excellent start for the new PA

PA Advanced
Designed for trainee Production Assistants / Co-ordinators this course provides an overview of the PA's role. Exercises include documentary and drama shoots, seven studio programmes and a costing project

Continuity
Four intensive days concentrating on the extensive skills of the drama PA/script supervisor. Two location shoots, with professional artistes and crews, cover all aspects of drama continuity.

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These tips are from BBC production training specialist Helena Stone. She specialises in all aspects of the production assistant / production co-ordinator role. Helena has worked extensively both inside and outside the BBC as a production assistant / manager on programmes filmed in the UK and overseas.