MEXICO

• Travel Times: Mexico is well-connected internationally. A direct flight from Paris to Mexico City is about 12 hours . From other major hubs: Los Angeles to Mexico City is ~4 hours (and under 3 hours to cities in northern Mexico), New York to Mexico City around 5 hours. There are numerous direct flights from European cities (London, Madrid, etc.) and across the U.S. to Mexico’s main airports. Additionally, Mexico has multiple international gateways; depending on your shooting location, you might fly directly into e.g. Cancún (for Yucatán/Caribbean locations), Guadalajara or Monterrey(for interior or north), or Mexico City (central). This flexibility means travel for crew and shipment of gear can often be optimized to arrive closest to set.

• Weather: Mexico’s climate is diverse, ranging from arid deserts to tropical coasts. Generally, the dry season(November to April) is the most favorable period in many regions . For example, central Mexico (Mexico City, etc.) has a dry, mild winter with little rain from Nov through April – ideal for filming with clear skies. The rainy season runs roughly May through October, bringing frequent afternoon storms especially in the south/central areas . Coastal and tropical areas (Caribbean coast, Pacific coast, southern jungles) are hot and humid in summer with a risk of hurricanes from July to October on both coasts . If you plan a beach shoot on the Riviera Maya (Caribbean), the best weather is in winter months when it’s sunny, warm, and less humid. Northern Mexico (e.g. Sonora, Chihuahua deserts) sees extremely hot summers (40°C+ in July/August) and mild winters – spring and fall are the best times for desert scenes to avoid dangerous heat. Mexico City’s high elevation (2,250m) gives it pleasant temperatures year-round (21–27°C daytime) but a pronounced wet season in summer. In summary, December through April is a safe bet in most of Mexico for dry weather and moderate temperatures. If shooting in the summer months, focus on locations like Baja California (which has a relatively dry summer) or highland areas, and be cautious with coastal hurricane season. Mexico’s varied geography also means you can “chase” good weather – for instance, if the coast is rainy in summer, you might shoot in the drier north. Always keep an eye on the calendar for major national holidays (e.g. Easter, Day of the Dead) as they can affect logistics and crowd control, though they can also offer rich cultural backdrops if desired.

• Film Industry Considerations: Mexico has one of the most established film industries in Latin America. Mexico City in particular is a production powerhouse, with a deep pool of talented crew and state-of-the-art equipment. You’ll find a full spectrum of skilled labor – from veteran cinematographers and art directors to specialized technicians – many of whom have experience on Hollywood features and high-end commercials. Most crew in the main cities speak at least some English, and many are bilingual, having worked with US and European productions for years. Major cities have multiple rental houses providing everything: Alexa Minis, REDs, Panavision cameras, extensive lens selections, lighting from HMI to LED, motion control rigs – you name it. There are also large studios and backlots like Estudios Churubusco in Mexico City, should you need controlled environments or set builds. Unions: Mexico does have film industry unions, but for commercials and foreign projects the rules are quite flexible – using a reputable local production service company will navigate any labor requirements seamlessly. Permits: Film permitting in Mexico is generally efficient. Mexico City has a one-stop film commission (COMEFILM) where many public locations can be permitted without fees, especially for short shoots, though bigger setups (streets, traffic control) will involve police coordination. Historic or sensitive sites (e.g. archaeological zones like Chichén Itzá or certain government buildings) require special permits and often fees – these can take longer, and the fees can be significant (e.g. filming at popular ruins can run in the thousands of dollars and must be requested well in advance). It’s crucial to have local producers handle these, as personal relationships and understanding the bureaucracy go a long way. Customs: Mexico offers a Temporary Import Permit for film equipment – meaning if you bring gear, you can do so without paying import tax, provided you have a detailed inventory (a carnet ATA is accepted as well). However, because the local rental market is strong and to support local businesses, it’s often more convenient to rent in Mexico rather than ship everything. One important consideration: safety and security. While many areas in Mexico are completely safe for filming, some regions (due to crime or cartel activity) are not recommended. Local knowledge is key – a Mexican production team will guide you on safe location choices and can arrange security if needed. In popular tourist and urban filming locations, you’ll mostly just need standard precautions (secure your equipment, hire night security at unit base, etc.). Lastly, Mexico’s long history of hosting foreign productions means the “film-friendly” factor is high – you’ll often find police and authorities are used to film crews and are cooperative, especially in cities like CDMX, and the overall vibe on set will be familiar and professional.

• Recommended Shooting Locations: Mexico’s range of locations is one of its greatest strengths . For car commercials, consider the dramatic deserts of Baja California or the north – dunes in places like Algodones Dunes (near Mexicali)or the wide open desert highways in Sonora/Chihuahua give that classic road movie look (films have often used northern Mexico to stand in for the US Southwest). In contrast, the country offers lush jungles and ancient ruins in the south: the Yucatán Peninsula has jungles dotted with Mayan pyramids (Chichén Itzá, Tulum, Uxmal) – striking backdrops for luxury or adventure visuals. The Yucatán also has unique cenotes (clear turquoise sinkhole pools) which make for exotic aquatic scenes or fashion shoots in ethereal cave-like settings. For fashion and high-end brand shoots, Mexico City (CDMX) is a goldmine – it features everything from sleek modern architecture (e.g. the Soumaya Museum’s futuristic exterior, or the skyscrapers of Paseo de la Reforma) to charming colonial neighborhoods (the leafy, European atmosphere of Roma/Condesa or the historic Centro with its baroque architecture). The city’s streets, galleries, and even its colorful markets can add vibrant urban texture. Mexico also boasts 11,000 km of coastline : the Caribbean coast (around Cancún, Tulum) offers white sands and bright blue waters – quintessential paradise beaches ideal for resort or swimwear commercials. The Pacific coast gives a different vibe: e.g. Los Cabos has dramatic rock arches and desert-meets-sea landscapes; Puerto Vallarta or Acapulco offer classic tropical beach town settings. There are also unique natural wonders like the Copper Canyon (a grand canyon system in Chihuahua) for rugged canyon visuals and Sumidero Canyon in Chiapas with its sheer cliffs rising from a river. Need mountains? Mexico’s got them – the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl near Mexico City are snow-capped part of the year and create epic backgrounds. Colonial towns such as San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato present picture-perfect colorful streets (San Miguel is famed for its aesthetics and is a frequent spot for lifestyle shoots). Additionally, Mexico can easily double for other countries: its diversity means you could simulate Middle Eastern deserts, tropical islands, European-like cities (parts of Puebla or Mexico City have a very European feel), etc. According to one production executive, “Mexico provides filmmakers with a wide variety of locations, from deserts and mountains to rainforests and over 11,100 km of coastline. Mexico City features diverse neighborhoods and architectural styles, making it a great destination for urban locations.” This encapsulates the breadth available in Mexico – truly a one-stop shop for virtually any setting.

• Production Incentives: Mexico offers a notable tax incentive primarily in the form of VAT exemption for foreign productions. In practice, qualifying foreign shoots can be exempted from the 16% Value Added Tax on most local goods and services – this acts as an immediate cost saving. To benefit, productions usually register with the Mexican Film Commission and work through a local production company so that services are billed without VAT (COMEFILM can guide this process). Aside from VAT savings, Mexico has the EFICINE and FIDECINE programs – however, these are aimed at feature film co-productions and domestic content rather than short-term commercials. There isn’t a straightforward cash rebate like some other LatAm countries, but Mexico’s overall production costs are moderate, and the government support often comes in the form of facilitating permits, military equipment (if needed for scenes), or infrastructure rather than direct cash. A new incentive program has been discussed (as of 2023) to introduce rebates for international productions, but details and implementation are pending. That said, many Mexican states individually sweeten deals: for instance, Jalisco or Querétaro might offer local support or discounts to attract projects. The lack of a big federal rebate is often offset by the fact that Mexico’s crew rates, location fees, and accommodations can be more affordable than in the US/Europe. Additionally, there is no import duty on temporary film equipment and no tax on the fees of foreign actors/technicians working under a short-term project, which simplifies budgeting. In summary, while Mexico’s incentives might not be as direct as a cash rebate, the cost advantages and VAT waiver make it financially attractive. Many foreign commercials find that their budget goes further in Mexico than almost anywhere else in North America.

• Logistical Challenges: Mexico’s main challenges involve scale and security considerations. Scale and traffic: Mexico City is enormous – moving a crew across town can take time (traffic is heavy). It’s wise to cluster your shooting locations or use police escort for convoy if you have multiple moves in a day in CDMX. Likewise, if shooting nationwide, realize that flying from, say, Mexico City to Cancún (2+ hours) then driving to a jungle location could effectively consume a day; plan your schedule with internal flights and ground transport carefully to avoid fatigue and lost time. Security: While many parts of Mexico are completely safe, some regions have cartel activity or higher crime rates. Productions typically avoid certain border areas and some rural zones in states like Guerrero, Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, etc., unless coordinating with authorities. If your story or concept requires those areas, you’d need heavy security support. In cities, petty crime means gear vigilance is needed – never leave equipment trucks unattended without security. It’s common to hire local police or private security to guard set and equipment overnight. Permits bureaucracy: Mexico has a bit of red tape especially for very specific requests (e.g. filming with drones near airports or in sensitive archaeological sites requires extra permissions from agencies like INAH for cultural sites). Start those special permit applications early. Health considerations: In jungles or remote villages, crew might need precautions for water (use bottled water always) and insect bites; in high altitude (Mexico City or higher, like Toluca, which is 2,600m), allow a little acclimation if coming from sea level. Equipment import vs. local rental: If bringing gear, expect thorough inspections at customs – having a detailed list and carnet is critical to avoid delays. But as noted, most times local rental is easier. One benefit: experienced local production companies – Mexico has world-class line producers who have handled everything from James Bond action sequences in downtown Mexico City to remote fashion shoots in cenotes. Leveraging their expertise will mitigate most challenges. With their help, issues like arranging police escorts, street closures, or dealing with local communities (for example, needing permission from an ejido (community-owned land) to film in a particular village) can be navigated smoothly. Weather interruptions are relatively predictable by season compared to tropical countries, but if you’re shooting during hurricane season on the coast, have an evacuation/weather delay plan. In conclusion, Mexico’s challenges are those of a big, diverse country – but its infrastructure and film-friendly environment mean that even big logistical puzzles (like car rigs on busy city streets or coordinating multi-location cross-country shoots) have been solved there many times before. With prudent planning, Mexico can deliver huge production value with manageable risk.