DOCUMENTARY FILM PRODUCTION
IN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE
Coordination & Access to Locations Getting access to locations can be frustrating and difficult. Our fixers will take care of all the filming coordination, including crew, gear and logistics. After a recce to the locations, we will plan for effieicent filming days, take into consideration transport and the unique circumstances of israel ensuring you make the best of each day.
Highlight Films provides full production services for feature films, giant screen IMAX films, 3D video, documentary films, TV and video productions in Israel & Palestine.
Research & Ideas
Our researchers can get all the necessary information for your story. Since we are also developing, researching and producing our own films, our staff is used to retrieving the required information and finding the relevant people to interview. While the internet is an accessible source when planning a production, there is no replacement for the local researcher who can visit places, ask the right questions and send the accurate information before any unnecessary money is spent.
Filming Crews We work with the best documentary cameramen, soundmen and other professionals. They are all experienced with international documentary productions. We can provide SD (DVCAM, Beta, Digital Beta) or High Definition (HDCAM / DVCPRO-HD / RED) camera crews in Israel and Palestine.
Camera Gear We use both our own camera sets or hired sets from Israel or UK's rental houses. We film in every professional standard and in both PAL and NTSC formats. Formats: DV, DVCAM, Beta SP, Digital Beta, HDV, HDCAM (High Definition), DVCPRO-HD, XDCAM.
Lighting Gear We have a full range of lighting equipment and accessories, ranging from a small documentary lighting pack to full line of exterior / interior lights and generators when needed.
Sound Recording Our soundmen are equipped with full professional audio gear, including radio microphones licensed in Israel and tuned to the correct local frequencies (European and American radio microphones are often interrupted by military and civilian radio networks in Israel).
Grip
Any needed equipment for any type of shooting, such as stabilizing systems, remote heads, cranes and dolly tracks, can be arranged throughout us, upon demands and budget. We work with experienced grip-men specializing in dramas and the production of feature films.
Tapes All formats of recording media are available – from MiniDV tapes to 35mm film, and all ofrmat of media storage. When necessary we will dub the footage for safety and FedEx you the dubs upon your arrival back home.
Transportation Based on the size of the filming crew, we will advise you regarding the recommended means of transportation. Many productions are using an 8-10 passenger van for the crew and equipment; we often recommend using an additional passenger car, pending on the locations. In certain areas, it is recommended to travel in armored vehicles. We advise the producers whether the locations they would travel to require such vehicles.
Security
We will keep you posted regarding any security-related issues in the filming locations or on the way. Our Tel Aviv office is updated immediately from several sources regarding any security-related alerts, from both Israel and Palestinian sources.
When dealing with sensitive issues in hostile environments, we sometimes recommend our clients to hire an Israeli or Palestinian security guard to escort the crew.
In some areas and pending on the security conditions, it is recommended to use personal safety gears, which include a bullet proof vest, a bullet proof helmet and "press" identifying marks. We have several such sets available at all times.
Hotels
We are working with two of the leading hotel chains in Israel, which grant us special rates often significantly lower than the published rates. In addition to specially discounted rates, we will accommodate any specific request such as late check out, additional room for interviews, etc'.
Permits
Many sites require a pre-arranged filming permit and demand certain restrictions. In many cases, we have a long relationship with the institutions granting permits and we are often granted greater access. We were able to film a TV commercial spot and an episode in an American-Italian feature film in two of the most sacred places in Jerusalem. In both places, it was the first time ever to allow something of this kind.
Location Management
Usually there is no need for a location manager in addition to your coordinator for a shoot. The coordinator, or fixer, is our front person in the production and has the abilities to handle all location-related issues. When filming requires complicated logistics and moving between many locations, we will recommend hiring an additional location manager.
Editing High Definition - we have a complete AVID Adrenaline HD edit suite ans all necessary equipment for offline and online HD editing, digital cut to HDCAM broadcast-quality master, digitizing, dubbing and fomrat conversions.
One of our Hi Def edit suites is located in our Tel Aviv headquarters, 15 minutes drive from the Tel Aviv center. Another suite is at the city center of Ramalllah, in the West Bank.
Off line editing - We have two non-linear editing rooms (Avid / Final Cut Pro) in Tel Aviv, and an additional editing suite (Avid) in Ramalla. If necessary, we can provide you with portable editing facilities anywhere in Israel. Before you come to us with your video editing needs, you may want to invest in a good video camera to ensure you take the best shots, there are some great deals on zwee for video and camera equipment
Format Conversion In Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, we can dub tapes in all formats, and transfer from / to every format.In Ramalla and Bethlehem we can dub all formats except Hi Def and Digital Beta.
Highlight Films' technical department provides the following services:
Other technical services
System Conversion from / to PAL - NTSC in DV, DVCAM, XDCAM and HDCAM (50/60) Same format tape dubs
BluRay DVD production
3D video editing, rendering and mastering
DVD production, mastering and copying
Conversion of DVD PAL to NTSC and NTSC to PAL
Professional DVD printing
Sound recording on digital audio mixer
Digitizing to hard disks FTP Upload services
This page was last updated on January 26, 2012.
For any question regarding our production services, please email us
or call +972-3-6168611 or from the US: 1-917-338-6188
