Guide to Filming

Overview With a unique blend of Asian and Western influences, the Lion City is a thriving metropolis with a vibrant mix of cultures and ethnicities. From striking skyscrapers, to period shophouses and luscious CONTENTS greenery, Singapore’s eclectic and contemporary architecture adds to its reputation as a ‘City in a Garden’, making it a one-of-a-kind place to make a film. Besides the architectural beauty, Singapore also has 350 parks including the world-famous Gardens By The Bay, and the Singapore Botanic Gardens - the only tropical garden to be honoured as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Singapore is also one of the most wired countries in the region, rapidly growing to become a significant technology hub in Asia. Singapore has also been a desirable place for big budget Hollywood productions such as ‘Crazy Rich Asians (2018)’, and most recently, episodes for season 3 of HBO’s ‘Westworld (2019)’. In general, permits are not required for filming on streets and walkways in Singapore, as long as there A. ABOUT THE B. ENTERING C. CLEARING is no obstruction to vehicular or pedestrian traffic. For usage of properties and/or locations, it is best to seek approvals and permissions directly from the owners. Please also inform nearby businesses or SINGAPORE FILM SINGAPORE CUSTOMS neighbours of your filming activities at least 3 working days in advance as a form of courtesy. It is also COMMISSION good practice to ensure that there is minimal disturbance caused during filming. 05 07 04 Non-Singaporean filmmakers seeking to film in Singapore are required to submit relevant documents to the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). For a list of filming locations in Singapore, please refer to ‘Singapore on Screen’ D. USING ARMS E. SECURING F. OTHER AND EXPLOSIVES LOCATIONS IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR FILMING 11 14 08 Grand wedding scene from ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ that was shot in CHIJMES, Singapore G. CONTACT DETAILS OF AGENCIES 19 ABOUT THE SINGAPORE ENTRY INFORMATION FOR A. FILM COMMISSION B. FOREIGN CAST AND CREW The Singapore Film Commission (SFC), Visas & Professional Visit Pass part of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), is charged with developing Foreigners who do not require visas for entry Singapore’s film industry and nurturing and are visiting Singapore as tourists are given filmmaking talent. It is advised by a committee a 14-day or 30-day social visit pass upon comprising members from the film, arts and arrival in Singapore. cultural community. Visitors would need to satisfy the following Since 1998, the SFC has supported more than basic requirements before they are able to 800 short films, scripts, feature films, as well as enter Singapore: film-related events in Singapore that showcase • Passport valid for at least 6 months; homegrown talent and works. Some notable The Singapore Film Commission (SFC) facilitates • Confirmed onward/return tickets; films by Singapore filmmakers include location filming in Singapore. While we do not ‘A Land Imagined’ (Yeo Siew Hua), ‘Ramen offer filming incentives or subsidies, nor do • Sufficient funds for their stay in Singapore; Teh’ (Eric Khoo), ‘POP AYE’ (Kirsten Tan), ‘Ilo Ilo’ we conduct location recces, we have compiled • Entry facilities, including visas, to their next (Anthony Chen), the ‘Ah Boys to Men’ series this guide which we hope will help you in destination; and (Jack Neo), and ‘881’ (Royston Tan). your filming. • Visa, if applicable (list of countries that On the sets of the film, ‘When Ghost Meets Zombie’ require visas to enter can be viewed here) Women who are 6 months or more than 6 months pregnant and intend to enter Singapore for social visits should make a prior application through the nearest Singapore overseas mission. The information in this section is accurate at the time of publishing i.e. 31st August 2019. For the latest information, please refer to the websites of Ministry of Manpower (MOM) at www.mom.gov.sg and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at www.ica.gov.sg. 04 On the sets of the film, ‘Long Long Time Ago’ 05 ENTRY INFORMATION FOR B. FOREIGN CAST AND CREW CUSTOMS C. CLEARANCE Work Pass Exempt Activities Film & Video Equipment Exposed Films & Used Tapes Film & video equipment for on-location If you are bringing in rushes/exposed Eligibility Making an e-Notification filming may be brought into Singapore under film, please write in to the Singapore Film Foreigners can enter Singapore and perform Foreigners performing any Work Pass these conditions: Commission at [email protected], for a certain activities for short durations (less than Exempt Activities are allowed to submit an letter to facilitate clearance at Customs. • If you are working with a local company, you 60 days) without a Work Pass. Foreigners who e-notification only after they have arrived in can use the Temporary Import Scheme. If you are exempted from Work Pass requirements Singapore and obtained a short term visit Please have the following details ready: are not working with a local company, you would include those performing activities pass. The e-notification has to be made before can use an ATA Carnet. • Name of Person carrying the footage currently exempted under the Professional Visit they start to perform the Work Pass Exempt Pass (PVP) Scheme administered by the ICA. Activities. The information required for making • Please produce your ATA Carnet upon entry/ • Passport Number The list of Work Pass Exempt Activities can be an e-notification is as follows: exit for endorsement of the documentation. • Flight Number viewed here. • Personal Particulars (i.e. Name, Date of Birth, • Date of Arrival For more information about using the ATA Sex, Nationality, Travel Document Number, • Purpose of Film/Tapes Carnet and the countries that recognise it, Travel Document Expiry Date); • Number of Reels/Tapes e-Notification for Work Pass please visit the International Chamber of • Disembarkation/Embarkation card number; Exempt Activities Commerce website. • Short term visit pass expiry date; Foreigners performing Work Pass Exempt Activities are required to submit an • Type of activity that will be performed; and e-Notification to inform MOM before engaging • Period of activity (start-date and end-date) in these activities. They can perform these activities for the duration of their short term visit passes subject to a maximum of 60 days. Beyond that, they will need to obtain a Work Pass. Those carrying out Work Pass Exempt Activities without notifying MOM can be prosecuted under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. In addition, the waiver of Work Pass requirement does not exempt foreigners from having to comply with other specific legal requirements (see full list here) in Singapore. On the sets of the film, ‘When Ghost Meets Zombie’ 06 07 USE OF ARMS AND EXPLOSIVES USE OF ARMS AND D. FOR FILMING IN SINGAPORE D. EXPLOSIVES FOR FILMING IN SINGAPORE 1. Filming with Deactivated During the importation of the deactivated Approval from PLRD must be obtained for 2. Filming with Dummy Weapons or Blank Firing Weapons weapons, the forwarding companies are each filming session where the licensed (i.e. Imitation or Toy Weapons) required to bring the weapons to PLRD for deactivated or blank firing weapons are The production company may work with an inspection. Once the deactivated or blank to be used. The production company The production company may work with a local licensed company to provide firing weapons had been inspected and shall write in to OC Licensing, Arms and local prop supplying companies or purchase deactivated or blank firing weapons approved, the forwarding companies will Explosives Division at least 7 working days the dummy weapons from local retail shops for filming. then be allowed to transport the weapons to before the filming session for approval. for filming. the designated storage location. Brief information on the storyline, location If the production company intends to import of filming, intended period of filming If the production company intends to import the deactivated or blank firing weapons, Licenses will be required for the import, and details of deactivated or blank firing the dummy weapons, they may write in to they must write in to the Police Licensing export and possession of deactivated or weapons to be used, are to be provided. the Police Licensing and Regulatory and Regulatory Department (PLRD) of the blank firing weapons. Licenses to import, Department (PLRD) to request for approval Singapore Police Force (SPF) to request for export and store explosives will also During filming, the applicant must put to import. The request should include the approval to import. The request should be required for the blank cartridges for up visible signage or notices at strategic type of the dummy weapons to be imported, include the type of the weapons to be blank firing weapons. The storage of the locations to warn members of the public quantity, duration of use in Singapore, imported, quantity, duration of use in weapons and blank cartridges has to be in of on-going filming activities involving the how it will be stored and how it will be Singapore, how it will be stored and how it an approved armoury (e.g. Auxiliary Police use of deactivated or blank firing weapons. brought into Singapore. An enquiry can be will be brought into Singapore. An enquiry Forces like Certis CISCO, AETOS Security). The weapons in transit must be kept out of sent to [email protected] can be sent to spf_licensing_feedback For licences to possess deactivated or blank sight in the vehicle from public view. When or via letter addressed to the following: @spf.gov.sg or via letter addressed to firing weapons and blank cartridges, the parked, the conveying vehicle carrying the the following: licensee will have to be a Singapore Citizen.

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