How to Hire Cast and Crew for Film Production in China

Filming in China presents a unique opportunity for international filmmakers looking to create high-quality commercials or movies in an exotic and visually stunning location. It really is a place with nowhere else quite like it. To make the most of it, however, you need the right team at your disposal.

Hiring cast and crew in China can be complex for numerous reasons, but the main ones are due to language barriers, regulations, and cultural differences. As experts in the field, however, we know a thing or two about recruiting the right people for your production while ensuring a smooth and legally compliant hiring process.

1. Understanding China’s Film Industry Landscape

Before hiring, it’s essential to understand China’s film industry structure. Unlike Hollywood, the Chinese film industry is heavily regulated by the government, particularly through the China Film Administration (CFA).

Foreign productions must obtain permission to film and hire locally within government guidelines. Major production hubs include Beijing, Shanghai, and Hengdian World Studios, and they all do things a little differently.

2. Hiring Local vs. Bringing Your Own Team

Generally, you have two options when hiring cast and crew for your project in China.

Hiring Local Talent and Crew

This is often a more cost-effective route to go down, as local professionals are familiar with filming regulations and logistics, and you’ll save a lot of time and money not having to get everyone ready for the process to begin.

Bringing Your Own Team

If your project requires specific expertise, bringing key personnel from the US, UK, or wherever else you may be located might be necessary. The only downside is that this requires work visas and government approvals.

Most productions use a mix of both, hiring key creative roles from abroad and filling technical and support roles with local professionals.

3. Finding the Right Talent and Crew (Casting Actors in China)

For films and commercials requiring Chinese talent, there are several ways to find professional actors.

Acting agencies and companies are often go-to for projects like this purely for simplicity and ease of access. Companies like Beijing Film Academy Talent Agency and Shanghai Artists Agency represent actors with professional training, as examples, but there are countless agencies across China to use.

There are routes other than agencies too, however, with prestigious institutions like the Beijing Film Academy and the Shanghai Theatre Academy having a steady stream of trained actors looking for work most of the year.

When auditioning Chinese actors, keep in mind that Mandarin fluency is crucial for roles with spoken lines. If your film requires actors to speak English, look for bilingual talent.

Hiring Local Crew

China has a robust film industry with skilled professionals for any role that you could need to fill. From actors and directors to assistants, engineers, technicians, and everything in between.

You may want to look into agencies or production companies to fulfill this role for you with full-service crew hire, or you may have a select staff with you already and have just a few roles to fill. It’s all down to how your unique shoot is going to be set out.

Another alternative still is to use a production fixer in China, like ourselves, who work with whatever setup you already have and fill in those gaps for you using our pre-established network of professionals.

4. Legal Considerations and Work Permits

Foreign filmmakers must comply with Chinese labor laws and visa regulations, and this is something that needs to be really well-planned to be effective with your shooting:

Work Permits

Foreign crew members need a work visa (Z visa). The sponsoring production company must obtain approval from the government, or the fixer may be able to help too.

Contracts

Always draft contracts in both English and Chinese, ensuring they align with Chinese labor laws and cover everything you need.

Taxation

China has strict tax laws, so it’s advisable to consult a local accountant to handle payroll taxes. It’s something easy to miss, but it can save you a real headache.

5. Ensuring Smooth Production

After all of the legal and logistical factors have been considered, the only thing left to really think about is how to make sure the production and filming process is as smooth as it can possibly be.

• Plan ahead and start hiring at least 3-6 months before shooting.
• Hire a translator, as even bilingual crews may require language support.
• Expect bureaucratic delays, since permits and work visas can take time. If you can budget for it, life might be easier.
• Have a contingency budget, as unexpected costs can arise, so allocate an extra 10-20% of your budget for flexibility.

Conclusion

All in all, hiring cast and crew for a film production in China requires strategic planning, legal compliance, and cultural sensitivity, but it is more than achievable and is something that countless producers experience every single year. Whether you’re filming a commercial or a feature film, the right preparation will make your production a success in the world’s second-largest film market.