For businesses starting up operations in mainland China, capturing a corporate video in the capital city of Beijing can be an amazing promotional strategy. This city, with its combination of ancient and modern sights, can lend beauty and gravitas to any corporate video production.

You’ll find skyscrapers, massive sports and performance stadiums, and bustling public squares in Beijing, but the city is also steeped in the long history of China. Not only is the 1,600-year-old Forbidden City located within the city limits, the nearest point of the Great Wall of China is a mere 50 miles away. B-roll footage that mixes modernity with the past will give your video production an instant sense of place.

There are a few important items to take note of before embarking on a video strategy anywhere in China. While we at Crews Control recommend working with a locally based video crew no matter where in the world you film, in China this kind of partnership isn’t just a good idea, it’s essential. Permits and visas to work in China require businesses to have contact with a Chinese company.

Between this visa process, language and cultural assistance, local geography knowledge and more, a team of experts from Crews Control can provide numerous services for your Beijing video production.

Creating top-quality corporate video content in Beijing

Getting the footage you need in Beijing means working within systems more restrictive than you’ll be used to if you’ve predominantly filmed in other countries. Helpful tools that it’s easy to take for granted — such as Google Maps and file upload servers — won’t function on the walled Chinese internet.

There is also a language barrier to navigate. While some things can be accomplished speaking English, really getting around and thriving in Beijing may require teaming up with a Mandarin-speaking interpreter. Cultural matters are also worth taking into account, such as the proper two-handed posture when accepting a business card from a new contact.

Before you’ll have to deal with these matters, however, your crew will need visas and filming permits. Not only will officials require you to have contacts inside China to vouch for you, they will also check your background, including social media activity, before granting you permission to enter.

You’ll also need specific permission to film in each location on your shoot, and should carry your passport and visa along with you — police may verify whether you’re approved to film while you’re on-site.

To meet these requirements and emerge with top-quality footage from Beijing, you can team up with experienced and skilled video producers who have made a living filming with Chinese film companies. This is the kind of expertise you receive when working with Crews Control.