The Unofficial LAOS film incentive breakdown:
18 Points to know about....
Notes by George Ohan
Producer
Fulton Film Company
California, USA
George and Heidi in Hollywood, California
1. Laos Film Commission is Flexible, and prepared to have Negotiable incentives based on a case-by-case basis..
Just ask. It seems as if the Laos Film Commission is open to have a conversation about getting your project created.
2. Foreign producers do NOT need to co-produce with a Laotian producer.
This is huge!
International productions should take advantage of this.
3. Complimentary Film Fixer: for any productions over $1,000,000 spent in country.
How much money does that save your production?
4. Direct liaison to the Laos Film Commission for any productions over $250,000.
All your questions answered from the TOP. Yes, please.
5. On Set Registered Nurse: Since the COVID-19 outbreak
This may be the first time I have seen COVID-19 mentioned in any film incentive, or film-set protocol. Great job Laos!
6. Product Placement: Streamline clearances and art approvals needed.
This is a great service! How many posters and art pieces will you need clearance for if you are filming on location?
7. Hotels / Housing: Taxes waived when staying at approved facilities.
No Taxes and fees when staying at approved hotels. How much money can you save?
8. Costumes: 50% rebate for orders of 150 authentic costumes or more.
If your costumes bill was $5,000, now it’s $2,500! Yes, please.
9. Security: Police and military for hire
This is reassuring to know the level of protection that can be provided for our cast and crews.
10. Equipment: fees waived at border for productions at least 14 days.
This is really awesome because as a Producer, we can bring in equipment from Thailand, or surrounding countries without the $650 or more fee at the border.
11. Script: All location fees waived for approved screenplay
I was not expecting to see this!
NO COST locations for approved scripts about the Vietnam War. Who has something that involves the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos? They are interested!
12. Hollywood / California: Any production that diverts their backlogged productions to Laos will receive priority over all local productions.
Laos wants smaller shows who can shoot immediately, to start trying out productions in their country.
13. Editing: If any Total Run Time (TRT) is over 1 hour, for one project, and that entire project was edited in Laos, it qualifies for a 20% discount of fees.
Have your project edited in Laos. Save 20% off the total cost.
14. Equipment exchange program: As an emerging forward-thinking country, Laos is looking for innovative ways to build and sustain the Entertainment industry.
Imagine you can trade your Black Magic 6K camera, or your Quasar Lights for Location fees, housing, taxes, and more!
This is one of the best “indie film” incentives I have ever seen anywhere.
Plus save money because you don't ship your equipment back home.
This is one of the best “indie film” incentives I have ever seen anywhere.
Plus save money because you don't ship your equipment back home.
15. Independent Producers: Permit fee is waived for all productions under $50,000.
Hello!
ANY independent Producer with a small project, under $50,000, your filming fees are waived in Laos.
Go there for two weeks, film your project, Enjoy life!
16. Extra talent for your film: Laos government will provide 100 background actors at no day rate cost to the production.
*Restrictions apply – You pay for the first 100 actors. This is a cool incentive for huge scenes!
How much money does it cost for 100 Background actors?
17. Cast & Crew Local hiring requirement:
NO local hiring requirement.
NO local hiring requirement.
Wow!
This is really HUGE! NO local hiring requirement? I don’t see this often on any film incentives offered.
18. Bulk Shipping:
Cast & Crew may send home up to 10 pounds each of locally purchased items. Laos Film Commission will pay for the shipping.
Cast & Crew may send home up to 10 pounds each of locally purchased items. Laos Film Commission will pay for the shipping.
How cool?!
I can see that the Laos Film Commission is being very innovative with the incentives that they’re offering.
Independent filmmakers might have a new home?
Prior to pre-production, submit request and an estimate of total qualified expenditures to the Laos Film Commission.
Program is administered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contact USA: 833.732.7827
Laos: 856.20.5588.8999
Email: info@laosfilmcommission.com
Blog Author:
George Ohan
U.S. Army Veteran
Producer
International Entrepreneur
Digital Marketing
Fulton Film Company
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