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