Filming in Korea
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Guide for film production budget
Guide for film production budget
The amounts listed below have not been disclosed by the union or by any company, but were aggregated based on the data collected by the Korea Film Commissions & Industry Network(KFCIN) and the Seoul Film Commission(SFC) in 2021. It is recommended that overseas production teams use it for reference only.
Film crew labor costs are calculated according to day rates based on the expected average hourly wage for 2022 in a 12-hour work day (8-hour day + 4 hours of overtime). Hourly and day rates are pre-taxed. They can vary depending on the experience of the staff and the difficulty of the production.
Filming in public places
Filming in public places
In the case of filming in public places, you need to undergo an approval process with the authority having jurisdiction and the regional film commission. Following the process below is recommended.
01. Selection of Filming Locations
The production company can ask the film commission for recommendations and resources on locations. When provided with the details of the scene’s content, scale, schedule, production design, and desired conditions for the surrounding areas, the Film Commission can recommend the best fit location.
02. Location Site Survey
If a site survey is needed, it is recommended that the film commission should negotiate the overall process with the authority having jurisdiction in advance and accompany the production company on the site survey. It is beneficial to have general consultations on the shooting.
* If a location has already been chosen, the above steps can be skipped.
03. Requesting Shooting Assistance
Put in the request two weeks prior to the shooting date. The approval process normally takes around 2 weeks but depending of nature and scale of the shooting and characteristics of the location, it may differ. Relatively simple support measures such as temporary roadside parking can take shorter, while road closures or building a temporary set on public land may require much more time. If the shooting is expected to be big and complex, it is recommended that you discuss the issues sufficiently ahead of time.
04. Necessary Documents when Requesting Shooting Assistance
Required Documents: registration form for shooting assistance, personal information collection and usage consent form, scenario (or synopsis), production plan, list of staff members, location categorization table, movie/show programs, and advertisement production permit (for students or independent producers this document is not required)
Depending on the details of the shooting, following additional documents may be needed.
Depending on the details of the shooting, following additional documents may be needed.
- - In case support with parking is needed, submission of onsite parking plan is required including the number of cars, types, time and the exact location.
- - In case the shooting requires large scale roadblocks, submit a map that marks the exact locations of the roadblock and a vehicle and safety management plan.
- - For an ambulance to stand by onsite in case of emergency, submit the details including the reason and expected times.
- - For children or youth cast members, submit the copy of the employment permit certificate one day prior to the shooting day.
- - When using firearm or sword props, submit the copy of the possession permit at least one day prior to the shooting.
- - When filming a scene using an explosives exceeding a certain scale, submit a copy of the license of the person in charge of managing explosives and security as well as the person’s personal information.
05. Document Review by the Film Commission
After reviewing the submitted documents, scale and timeline of the shooting, administrations units to request cooperation from, and possibility of civil complaints and response measures, the film commission will ask the production company for any missing documents. When all the necessary documents are submitted, only then the process period starts.
06. Pre-meeting to Discuss Overall Shooting Plan
After reviewing the documents and receiving answers from local authorities on cooperative measures, the film commission and the production company will discuss the overall shooting plan including parking, electricity, plans for roadblocks, onsite organization plan, and ways to prevent and alleviate civil complaints.
07. Filming Site Presence
In principle, the person in charge from the administrative agency having jurisdiction and a staff from the film commission is to be present during the shooting. However, it is unrealistic for them to be present during the entire shooting from beginning to end. Nevertheless in the case of shootings with high risk of civil complaints or that need clean-up afterwards, aforementioned personnel must be present at the filming site.
The production company bears responsibility for all that occurs as a result of shooting in its entirety unless there exist causes attributable to the agency or the film commission. This not only includes the responsibility for what occurs on-site but also all civil and criminal responsibility pertaining to the shooting.
The above process is the usual process for obtaining approval for filming in public places and applying for assistance. The details may vary depending on the shooting location and region so when the location is decided, first discuss with the regional film commission.
For further information on filming in public places, please contact the oversea business department of the Korea Film Commissions & Industry Network.
For further information on filming in public places, please contact the oversea business department of the Korea Film Commissions & Industry Network.
Clean-Up and Restoration
Clean-Up and Restoration
The film crew must clean up the location after the shoot is finished.
The production crew is required to take detailed pictures of the location before production starts and try their best to restore the location to the original condition referring to the pictures. In case of damage or loss during filming, proper compensation should be made to the original owner. Even during filming, if the location continues its original daily operations, care must be taken with altering elements such as its signs so that users are not confused, and discussion should be had with the person in charge of the location. In connection with street filming, actions such as altering traffic signs are not allowed.
The production crew is required to take detailed pictures of the location before production starts and try their best to restore the location to the original condition referring to the pictures. In case of damage or loss during filming, proper compensation should be made to the original owner. Even during filming, if the location continues its original daily operations, care must be taken with altering elements such as its signs so that users are not confused, and discussion should be had with the person in charge of the location. In connection with street filming, actions such as altering traffic signs are not allowed.
Insurance
Insurance
While shooting in location, extra care for not only the safety of staff and actors, but also the safety, privacy, and property protection of citizens around the filming site is required.
Especially when filming scenes that involve danger such as explosions, car chase, rollovers, and collisions, or with large scale extras, more attention is needed.
Therefore it is necessary to purchase liability insurance for production in advance for filming that could cause damage to third parties, including citizens.
Film Commissions in Korea can help recommend insurance coverage according to the size and type of the filming in advance, so if you need any help please contact KFCIN.
Especially when filming scenes that involve danger such as explosions, car chase, rollovers, and collisions, or with large scale extras, more attention is needed.
Therefore it is necessary to purchase liability insurance for production in advance for filming that could cause damage to third parties, including citizens.
Film Commissions in Korea can help recommend insurance coverage according to the size and type of the filming in advance, so if you need any help please contact KFCIN.
Renting equipments
Renting equipments
If you’re planning to film in Korea, you’ll naturally have plenty of questions about renting equipment. What is available for rent and how much does it cost? What lenses can be acquired and how good is the equipment on offer?
The number and variety of works filmed in Korea means that a wide variety of filming equipment, specialist kit, film and digital options is available. You can get an idea of what equipment you can rent in Korea through rental shops’ websites. To visit the websites, please refer to our equipment rental directory.