| In photography, as in real estate, the three | | | | has been evident in the large number of |
| most important words are...location, | | | | overseas productions using Jamaica as a |
| location, location. And ever since Jamaica | | | | primary location.Jamaica offers a great |
| was first described by Christopher Columbus | | | | variety of terrain from white-sand beaches to |
| as "the fairest isle I ever did see" the word | | | | lush rainforests to waterfalls and mountain |
| Jamaica has been synonymous with romance, | | | | peaks. This allows for geographically |
| tropical passion and beautiful scenery. It is | | | | disparate scenes to be shot in a single |
| therefore no surprise that in recent years it | | | | location saving time and money. Areas of |
| has become a highly desirable location for | | | | Jamaica have been shot for Africa, Southeast |
| film and print photography as productions | | | | Asia, the U.S., England and, of course, the |
| including fashion shoots, commercials, | | | | greater Caribbean. Jamaica has been a |
| documentaries, music videos, feature films | | | | principal location for a number of Hollywood |
| and recently reality tv shows, have been | | | | features over the years including: Twenty |
| flocking to the island.Three decades ago, the | | | | Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Dr. No, The |
| Jamaican government recognized the benefits | | | | Harder They Come, Papillon, Live and Let Die, |
| of supporting the country's burgeoning film | | | | Return to Treasure Island, Cocktail, Mighty |
| industry. The math was simple. Film | | | | Quinn, Cool Runnings and How Stella Got Her |
| productions have the ability to make a | | | | Groove Back. Taxi drivers and other guides |
| substantial contribution to the economic | | | | are generally eager to point out locations |
| prosperity of a small country. They provide | | | | from past film shoots, so just ask. Many |
| jobs for the skilled laborers, training and | | | | major fashion houses and magazines use |
| experience for the lessskilled and generate | | | | Jamaica for their cruise and summer catalogs |
| substantial revenue for many ancillary | | | | and editorial spreads including Brooks |
| businesses ranging from lodging and catering | | | | Brothers, Teen Vogue, Ann Taylor, Self |
| for the oftensizeable cast and crew to | | | | Magazine, Glamour UK, and Madame. Recent |
| transport services for equipment and | | | | commercials filmed in Jamaica include uma, |
| personnel. In addition to this direct | | | | Slimfast, Carnival Cruise Lines, Clairol and |
| revenue, the product of their work, whether | | | | Herbal Essences.In recent years, competition |
| it is scenes from a major motion picture, a | | | | within the Caribbean has intensified, |
| video or a fashion shoot serves to further | | | | particularly for Hollywood projects, with |
| promote Jamaica as a vacation destination. | | | | several islands prepared to pay cash |
| The Jamaica Film Commission was established | | | | incentives for the privilege of hosting a |
| in the 1980s within Jampro (Jamaica | | | | big-budget production. Just this past summer |
| Promotions Organization) as a one-stopshop to | | | | Jampro announced that they would be |
| address the requirements of film producers, | | | | reorienting their effort towards wooing more |
| simplifying the process and enhancing | | | | tv and commercials business, in addition to |
| Jamaica's attractiveness as a location.The | | | | the feature films. These smaller productions |
| process is straightforward. In the case of | | | | have the ability to provide a steady stream |
| commercial films, scripts must be submitted | | | | of business for the local film industry and |
| to the Film Commissioner, Mrs. Dell Crooks, | | | | the strategy has already yielded some recent |
| for approval before shooting can commence- | | | | successes.Maxine Walters is a line producer |
| Jamaica is naturally very protective of its | | | | promoting Jamaica as a location from her |
| brand. Local liaisons are then recommended | | | | U.S.-base. Contact: The Jamaica Film |
| and approved by the Film Commission. The | | | | Commission website is located at Contact: |
| Commission then assists with clearing any | | | | (876) 978-7755 or email Location, Location, |
| red-tape related to work permits, licenses, | | | | Location**For more information visit |
| duty exemptions and access to public | | | | Jamaica's visitor website, the complete |
| buildings and support systems including | | | | source for travel and tourism information |
| helicopters from the Jamaica Defense Force. | | | | featuring hand-picked deals on vacation |
| The success of this cooperative effort | | | | packages, hotels, villas, flights and car |
| coupled with Jampro's direct role in | | | | rentals** |
| promoting "location Jamaica" to the Hollywood | | | | |
| studios and international production houses, | | | | Jamaica's travel and tourism source. |