Feature Film Shooting Logistics

Helicopters

Since the economic crash of '97 when several helicopter companies went under, it's been a real challenge to find good helicopters for shooting. Also, until very recently, productions had to bring in Wescam (or another gyro system) from overseas. Living Films previously rented from both Australia and the UK. However, there is a new system for rent in the country.

The one helicopter that is available for commercial use in Bangkok is now being used exclusively by one of the main Thai news stations ITV. It is possible to sub-rent the copter from the news station, but requires long advance notice which is not very practical for film shoots.

There are, however, several options for using Government helicopters. However, each of these, if requested ‘officially' require one to two months to get approval (and the production must have a Thai Film Permit in hand already just to start the process.) This is true for Army helicopters and police helicopters.

We have also brought helicopters into Thailand from overseas before. For Survivor, we brought a helicopter in for 49 days from Borneo. For, Mysterious Island we brought a helicopter in from Malaysia for shooting in Southern Thailand.