Do we need permits to film in China?

Yes. Public spaces, roads and parks typically require approvals with district-level authorities; heritage sites like the Palace Museum ban commercial shoots without explicit permission. Private interiors are arranged with owners. Lead times vary by city and activity.

Can we fly drones (UAV) for filming?

Yes—subject to airspace, altitude and registration rules. Since Jan 1, 2024, owners must complete real-name registration on the CAAC UOM platform. Airspace above true altitude 120 m and controlled zones require approval; many urban cores are controlled.

What visas do overseas crew need?

Requirements depend on the purpose. Business (M) or other categories may apply for commercial shoots; news-gathering requires journalist visas (J). Always confirm latest rules with consulates and your local partner.

When is the best season to shoot?

Spring and autumn are generally stable. East & central China see the Meiyu (plum rain) mid‑June to mid‑July; coastal regions face typhoon risk, especially July–September.

China Video Production Company

Commercials, branded content, corporate films and documentaries—delivered by a bilingual team coordinating permits, crews, casting, gear, aerials and post across China.

Talk to a Producer China Production Fixer

Shanghai HQ Beijing Shenzhen Guangzhou Chengdu

Capability Map

Tier‑1 City Units

Producer/AD, camera, G&E, sound, DIT, HMU—optimized for dense urban moves and multi‑location days.

Studios and equipment rental near set reduce transfers.

Industrial Belts

Factory access, EHS compliance, machine‑safe shooting plans and bilingual interview workflows.

Route design to Suzhou, Dongguan, Foshan, Kunshan and beyond.

Compliance & UAV

Road‑use, parks/scenic and heritage approvals mapped by city. UAV plans filed via CAAC’s UOM with real‑name registration and altitude/airspace compliance.

City‑specific fixer support available: Shanghai Fixer · National Fixer

Compliance Pipeline — From Brief to Shoot

Brief Intake → Creative translation, risk register, location shortlist.
Pathfinding → Authority mapping (roads/parks/heritage/private), document list, target dates.
Submissions → District filings; traffic/pedestrian plans where required; owner letters for private spaces.
UAV → Real‑name registration check, UOM filing for controlled airspace, pilot roster & flight boxes.
Lock → Call sheets, safety, insurance, bilingual crew brief, kit holds.
Shoot & Post → Data/LTO, remote review, subtitles, versioned deliveries.

Budget Levers (What Moves Cost)

Lever	Impact	Note
Season & Holidays	▲ Rates, ▲ demand	Golden Weeks & typhoon season drive soft‑holds/contingency.
Crew Language Mix	▲ Bilingual premiums	Match language depth to client‑facing depts.
Unit Moves	▲ Time, ▲ drivers	Favor clusters; hold backup interiors.
Approvals	▲ Lead time	Road/riverfront/heritage filings vary by district.
Gear Footprint	▲ Vans, ▲ grips	Compact LED & gimbal packages for high‑rise days.

Holiday Load (2025)

Spring Festival: Jan 28–Feb 4
Labor Day: May 1–5
Dragon Boat: May 31–Jun 2
National Day/Mid‑Autumn: Oct 1–8

Hold early around these dates; soft‑holds help secure top crews and locations.

Seasonal Signals (By Region)

Region	Window	Signal
East/Central (Yangtze)	Mid‑Jun–Mid‑Jul	Meiyu (plum rain) — plan rain covers.
South & East Coasts	Jul–Sep (peak)	Typhoon risk — add contingency days.
North/NW	Oct–Nov	Clear & crisp — good for exteriors.

City Snapshots

Shanghai

Dense urban moves, riverfront plates, studios close to set.

Beijing

Institutional backdrops; note heritage restrictions (e.g., Palace Museum).

Shenzhen/Guangzhou

Tech & GBA factories; night‑friendly Pearl River ops and skyline shots.

UAV Quick Facts (Mainland China)

Registration: Real‑name registration on the CAAC UOM platform.
Airspace: Airspace at or above true altitude 120 m and designated areas are controlled; approvals required.
Pilots: Local pilots available or we coordinate with your licensed pilot.

Mini Case — Nationwide Launch, One Playbook

For a global brand roll‑out, we ran a 10‑day, 4‑city schedule (Shanghai–Suzhou–Shenzhen–Guangzhou). Split‑unit coverage, pre‑filed road‑use where needed, and UOM‑compliant aerials produced 2 hero films + 20 social cuts, translated and delivered on time.

Plan My China Shoot