Alchemist Films
China • Production • Fixer

Shanghai Video Crew

Bilingual producers, vetted local crew, and fully kitted camera/lighting/grip for Shanghai. We secure filming permits, coordinate logistics with production coordination, and link your shoot to the China fixer hub and the Shanghai fixer team for smooth days on set.

Production at a Glance

Where we shoot

The Bund waterfront and Lujiazui skyline (Oriental Pearl, Shanghai Tower); creative blocks like Tianzifang and M50; riverside West Bund; heritage at Yuyuan and the French Concession.

Permits & access

Public spaces, waterfronts and heritage sites usually require approvals. We manage scouting & permits, venue agreements and security, with best‑time plans for crowds and traffic.

Gear & crew

Local DoPs, ACs, sound, G&E, PA, DIT; camera packages, lighting, grip, wireless, and mobility—prepped, delivered, and tech‑checked. See equipment rental in China and production coordination.

Filming Locations in Shanghai

The Bund (Waitan)

Historic riverside promenade along the Huangpu with colonial‑era façades facing the Pudong skyline—ideal for establishing shots, interviews and walk‑and‑talks.

Lujiazui & Oriental Pearl

Glass‑and‑steel financial district with landmarks (Oriental Pearl, Shanghai Tower). We plan night looks and reflections control, and arrange vantage points.

West Bund Cultural Corridor

Museums and riverside promenades (Long Museum, Yuz, Power Station of Art). Great for lifestyle and brand sequences, bikes and walk‑and‑talks.

Tianzifang (French Concession)

Narrow alleys, shikumen courtyards, cafés and boutiques—textured looks for doc and fashion. Requires thoughtful timing and crowd routing.

M50 (Moganshan Rd)

Converted mill and warehouse cluster of galleries and studios along Suzhou Creek—industrial textures with creative energy.

Yuyuan & Old City

Classical gardens, pavilions and lanes; we schedule power, permits and access with management for controlled shoots.

Other angles: Suzhou Creek footbridges, Xintiandi, West Bund sunset bike paths. Ask our China fixer team for scouting.

Aerial & Compliance

Drones

Hire licensed UAV teams; we handle filings and airspace checks. Typical ceiling is ~120 m AGL without special clearance. Downtown areas require extra coordination.

Visas, Carnets & Insurance

We advise on media/film visas and ATA Carnet for temporary gear import, and provide Chinese‑language support letters. Prefer local backup kits during customs‑sensitive windows.

Seasonality & Scheduling

Weather window

Humid‑subtropical with hot, rainy summers and a plum‑rain (meiyu) season around mid‑June to early July; cooler, drier windows often fall in spring and autumn.

Lighting & look

Expect humidity and cloud cover—soft light for interviews; plan neg fill and waterproofing in rainy months. Night skyline sequences benefit from reflections after rain.

Access & Logistics

Airports

Pudong (PVG) sits roughly 30–46 km east depending on your downtown target; Hongqiao (SHA) is closer at ~13–19 km west. We coordinate pick‑ups, carnet handling and courier runs.

Crew base

We staff bilingual producers, fixers and department leads in Shanghai, with fast reinforcement from Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Beijing. Drivers, vans and office kits available.

Our Services in Shanghai

Production Coordination

Run‑of‑show, schedules, call sheets, vendor management. Learn more about coordination.

Permits & Locations

Scouting, applications and approvals for streets, parks, heritage zones and controlled venues. See permits.

Crew, Casting & Gear

Bilingual crew, casting and local gear packages. See casting and equipment rental.

Related Pages

Inline links above carry most of the internal linking weight; this list helps navigation and discovery.

FAQs

Do we need filming permits in Shanghai?

Public spaces, waterfronts (The Bund), malls and heritage areas usually require approvals. We manage submissions with local bureaus and site owners.

Can you staff a bilingual crew and source equipment?

Yes. Producers, DoPs, ACs, sound, G&E and DIT—plus camera, lighting and grip with delivery and on‑site tech checks.

Can we shoot at The Bund, Lujiazui and West Bund?

Yes with prior coordination and venue permissions as needed. We plan crowd control and night lighting for skyline shots.

Can you arrange casting and locations?

Absolutely. We source talent and background, scout locations, and handle releases with bilingual paperwork.

Do you handle drones and carnets?

We book licensed operators for aerials where permitted and advise on ATA Carnet for temporarily importing gear.

Ready to Plan Your Shoot?

Share your brief and dates. We’ll map permits, crew and gear, and lock a schedule that works for Shanghai’s flow.

Last updated: Aug 2025