Business screen magazine (1946)

outs, armed with 8 mm equipment and calling themselves film makers, who 'arc knocking around the world. Most become vagrants, and ruffle feathers by documenting brothels, etc., in hopes ,of coming up with the expose of a j lifetime. I Long haired cameramen have been required to get hair cuts before visas would be granted, or before they would be permitted to enter a coimtry. Greece. India, and Japan are sticklers about this. All film people are suspected drug users. Make sure crew members do not unwittingly detain the entire crew 1 because of th.'ir indiscretion. Italy is extremely hard on suspected drug offenders, keeping suspects in jail a year before prosecuting. If a film attache from the host country is assigned to monitor shooting — 'do not disregard his orders. A British ,crew recently had their film confiscated and were escorted out of India [because one of the crew members, on Ihis free time, photographed 1. 000 feet of his own film on conditions the government representatives said could not !be covered. Even though the producer jtried to explain that the man did this on his own and his footage had nothling to do with the subject matter of itheir sponsored film, the visas were 'cancelled for the entire crew. On many assignments, producers may find it better to enter as tourists rather than as film makers. Many tourists own professional gear. By giving a case or two to each crew member, you can often avoid a zealous customs agent from questioning the cartloads of camera gear as possible import goods you really intenil to sell before you leave. To Reply or Not to Reply: That is ttis Question If your client is prone to send dispatches, beware. This is especially true if the U.S. government is involved and the assignment requires filming in numerous countries — be prepared to be besieged with cables. F.ven though informed of your visit, almost every Embassy will request clarification on some minor matter. Each will request a reply. More often than not, you will not have access to diplomatic communication services to comply. The average cost of a cable runs about S60. On the last assignment, cables sent by a producer during a four week period cost $1,700 — a figure he never anticipated spending. Ironically, more than half of the cables never were received by the people requesting them. Therefore, no one was prepared to assist when the crews actually arrived. In planning schedLiles don't believe everything you're told by enthusiastic clients and sincere sounding officials of our government that U.S. Embassy people in a particular country will assist you. If they do, it will more than likely be only perfunctory help. Chances are the day that you arrive will be a national holiday of some sort in that country and Embassy people are honoring that holiday. If it's a Friday — you will discover, as a rule, that's the week the guy who was going to pave the way for you has taken a long week-end, annual leave, sick leave, or better still, R & R Stateside. Don't rely on the Embassy in an emergency either. More than likely it will be a national holiday in the States, and they'll be off celebrating that, too. A call to American Express, any airline ticket agent, or a local English newspaper will find a sympathetic ear. And usually someone resourceful enough to assist. If not, they'll put you in touch with someone who can help. Preventive Medicine Regardless of where >ou are scheduled to shoot, have every member of the crew get more than the required innoculations. In this jet age in which we travel, an unscheduled landing because of malfunction, hijacking, sudden outbreak of war, can create probcantiimed on page 62 STARS ofBfetzer Fil .. . get attention . . . enhance your message . . . but do not steal your show. As experts In visual communication for America's business leaders, we use many methods to put your story across. May we talk further with you? BETZER PRODUCTIONS, INC. 450 East Ohio St., Chicago, III. 60611 '312 • 664-3257 November December, 1971 61