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DESTINATION: The Andes!05 Aug 2005. The Andes is one of the most amazing and unique mountain ranges in the world. Extending from the base of the Caribbean in Venezuela to Chile’s Tierras de Fuego at the southern tip of Patagonia, the Andes enjoy a geography and culture like no other and provides filmmakers with a wonderful unique backyard for any mountain project. From blockbusters films such as “Alive” and “Touching the Void” to acclaimed independent Latin productions such as “A House with a View of the Sea” and “One Life and Two Trails”, this region has been the backdrop to dozens of amazing films, documentaries, and television commercials.
Production Specs. Film and video production in the Andes is an unforgettable experience. Since the Andes crosses 8 countries (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina) and we could write an entire book on each of these regions, we will focus our discussion on Venezuela, Chile, and Peru. Venezuela presents the easiest and fastest access for US and European crews and enjoys a unique geography of deep alpine valleys, Andean culture, and high altitude deserts. For crews seeking a mountainous region with a truly unique look, Venezuela provides you with a great backdrop for any project. Peru enjoys some of the highest peaks and the most alpine environment of the region, and served as the set for climbing classic "Touching the Void". The culture and geography of this area are strong, but given its location next to the equator line, in order to film on the snow you must be prepare to withstand high elevations since your shoots will be above 14,000 feet. Chile presents a completely different option. Its northern range is comprised of mostly high altitude volcanoes and incredible frozen deserts. The southern region enjoys a more European look with ski resorts and snow levels that begin at much lower altitudes. And of course, Chile is home to amazing Patagonia – an astonishing place whose beauty is as shocking as the unpredictable weather!!
Permits: In most countries the Andes will be considered National Parks and thus foreign crews will need a shooting permit issued by the National Park Service of the desired country. Additionally, given the strong presence of indigenous populations in the region, most foreign permits will most likely be reviewed by additional government agencies created to ensure that the local native populations are not exploited in any way. For most international productions, this should not be a problem.
Crews: If shooting in Venezuela, most of your local technical crew will come from Caracas or Merida. Some additional crews may be hired locally through a very small, but experienced local production support companies. Most foreign producers bring only their director, DP, and camera man – as Venezuela has a large pool of extremely talented production personnel. We should mention that there is no limit on the number of foreign crew members that can come to shoot in the region, as long as a Venezuelan company acts as sponsor and is hired to conduct the production.
Gear: In Venezuela contact Explorart Pro&Post. You will get great rates for all of your gear needs including 35mm packages. In Peru contact Guarango Cine & Video. They are a family operation of very experienced and professional producers. In Chile, you can’t go wrong with RF Films – see the review of Rodrigo Fernandez in this issue of our portal.
Accommodations: Crews filming in the Venezuelan Andes will most likely stay in Merida, a beautiful college town located deep inside the Venezuelan range. There are several four star hotels in the city and a couple of 5 star resorts for VIPs. In Peru most filming will be based in the city of Huaraz. Here you will find several 3 star hotels and a couple of 4 stars. Prices here are a bit higher than in Venezuela due to the strong international tourism industry. In Chile, you can actually stay in Santiago and make the hour commute to the mountain range. Chile is a expensive country with the prices resembling US and European costs. However, the amenities and quality of hotels are also at par with the US and Europe.
Travel: The Venezuelan Andes are located one hour light from Caracas, which is a short 3 hour flight from Miami. To reach Huaraz, crews will arrive to Lima and then take a shuttle for 10 hours to the mountains. Yes, 10 hours. The central range in Chile is right behind Santiago, so crews only need to get themselves to Santiago and they will be ready to shoot within hours.
Weather: Pleasant to cold. In Venezuela the high valleys will reach freezing temperatures at night but will warm up to a comfortable 50-60 degrees during the day. The Cordillera Blanca in Peru is cold, permanent glaciers cover the region and temperatures are below freezing most of the year. The temperature at the town of Huarez is pleasant. Santiago has a pleasant temperature for most of the year, but it will be cold during the winter months (from June to September).
The Andes is one of the most amazing and unique mountain ranges in the world. Extending from the base of the Caribbean in Venezuela to Chile’s Tierras de Fuego at the southern tip of Patagonia, the Andes enjoy a geography and culture like no other and provides filmmakers with a wonderful unique backyard for any mountain project. From blockbusters films such as “Alive” and “Touching the Void” to acclaimed independent Latin productions such as “A House with a View of the Sea” and “One Life and Two Trails”, this region has been the backdrop to dozens of amazing films, documentaries, and television commercials.