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Documentary fixing · China

VICE on HBO: Synthetic Drug Revolution

On the ground in China with VICE.

Our producer was the local fixer for VICE’s China shoot on Synthetic Drug Revolution. We supported Hamilton Morris and the visiting team with equipment rental and transport between their Shanghai base and filming locations beyond the city. The China shoot took place in November 2014; the segment aired on HBO in 2015.

A laboratory visit in Synthetic Drug Revolution. Episode still.
A laboratory visit in Synthetic Drug Revolution. Episode still.
Programme
VICE on HBO · Season 3, Episode 5
Correspondent
Hamilton Morris
China shoot
3–8 November 2014
Original broadcast
10 April 2015

Local fixing

Fixing for the China report.

Synthetic Drug Revolution follows Hamilton Morris as he investigates the expanding market for synthetic drugs. In China, the VICE team filmed in working laboratories and workshops, with our producer handling local arrangements for the visiting crew.

Before the crew arrived, we worked through location information, pickups and travel plans with the production. The reporting team had its own contributor relationships and access contacts. Our job was to support those arrangements locally.

The laboratory and workshop visits involved commercially sensitive information. We kept practical location details with the people who needed them for the shoot.

Protective masks in a workshop scene. Episode still.
Protective masks in a workshop scene. Episode still.
A view through the laboratory. Episode still.
A view through the laboratory. Episode still.

Crew & locations

Making room for a larger crew.

When sound and a second camera were added to the plan shortly before filming, VICE asked about more transport capacity. Our producer proposed a larger vehicle with room for the extra crew and equipment.

We followed up for the location addresses so we could plan the journeys, and discussed accommodation with the filming locations in mind. The team would be based in Shanghai, with filming beyond the city.

The shoot involved daily travel to locations outside Shanghai. Our team coordinated those journeys for the crew and its equipment throughout the field work.

Equipment on the laboratory floor. Episode still.
Equipment on the laboratory floor. Episode still.
The working laboratory environment. Episode still.
The working laboratory environment. Episode still.

Equipment & wrap

Equipment rental and return.

Our producer sourced a tripod locally to supplement the equipment brought by the visiting crew.

After the China filming finished, we handled the tripod’s return and remained the local contact for closing out the rental arrangements as the visiting production moved on.

At the laboratory bench. Episode still.
At the laboratory bench. Episode still.

From the report

A workshop interior from the report. Episode still.
A workshop interior from the report. Episode still.
A second workshop scene. Episode still.
A second workshop scene. Episode still.
A detail from the laboratory sequence. Episode still.
A detail from the laboratory sequence. Episode still.

The programme

VICE on HBO: Synthetic Drug Revolution

Synthetic Drug Revolution is the opening segment of VICE on HBO, season 3, episode 5. Correspondent Hamilton Morris reports from China and New Zealand on the growth of the synthetic-drug industry. It first aired on 10 April 2015. This case study concerns Alchemist Films’ China production support; the episode also contains a separate report from Iran.

Series
VICE on HBO
Segment
Synthetic Drug Revolution
Episode
Season 3 · Episode 5 · 2015
Correspondent
Hamilton Morris
Broadcaster
HBO
Our China production support
Alchemist Films · Local fixing & coordination
VICE on HBO: Synthetic Drugs portfolio cover
Existing portfolio cover for VICE on HBO: Synthetic Drugs.

Planning a China shoot

Planning your China reporting trip.

Send us the editorial brief, crew list, equipment requirements and expected locations. Let us know which contributor relationships and access arrangements are already in place, and where you need local help.

Allow time for travel from the city base to each location, as well as local equipment collection and return. If the camera or sound team changes, review the transport too. Alchemist Films can coordinate these arrangements as your local point of contact.

Production support in China

Bring your reporting team to China.

Tell Alchemist Films about your story, crew and proposed filming dates. We can discuss the local fixing, location coordination, transport and equipment support your China production needs.

Plan your China productionExplore our documentary work →