Quotations:
V.I.P. will gladly submit prompt & competitive cost estimations for your productions, according to your specific requirements and briefs.

Production fees:
Production fee is charged from day of arrival to day of departure and varies between € 200 to € 400 per day, according the country and to the complexity / duration of the production.
It includes: basic pre and post production, 1 arrival and 1 departure airport transfers, freight arrangements, custom clearance, hotel /vehicles / flight reservations, location scouting and permits applications, model and talent casting and bookings, production budget management & reconciliation of suppliers' invoices.

All prices are per "per day", per one photo team, and are subject to changes.
80% of the estimated production costs to be paid before arrival, full and final payment before team's departure.

Digital assistance, equipment hire and post production services are quoted on request:

Pre-production:
Pre-production is normally not charged for, beside in very specific circumstances requiring particular time and effort.
It includes provisional bookings, forwarding of pictures of available models and locations, securing of options and sourcing of props and equipment.

Visa & Permits:
Although entry visa for photo teams were abolished after a 2 years battle with Immigration, customers are required to check with their local authorities if a visa is required (varies according to nationalities). Please check the list below. Should you require it, V.I.P. will assist and provide information if the following details are provided:
* Name and position of each team member, passport and flight details.

No visa requirements
If you fall under any of the following categories, then you do NOT need a visa to travel to SA for tourist, business or transit purposes (unless you have been specifically advised that your visa exemption has been withdrawn):

Holders of passports of Australia, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including the British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Mann and Virgin Islands, the Republic of Ireland as well as British Overseas Territories, are totally exempt from South African visa control.

No visa requirements for up to 90 days
Holders of passports of the following countries may visit South Africa for holiday or business trips of up to 90 days - or for transits - without a visa (unless specifically advised that their visa exemptions have been withdrawn):

• Andorra
• Argentina
• Austria
• Belgium
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Ecuador
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Iceland
• Israel
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Liechtenstein
• Luxemburg
• Malta
• Mexico
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Paraguay
• Portugal
• Romania (Only diplomatic & official passport holders for holiday visits)
• San Marino
• Singapore
• Spain
• St Vincent & the Grenadines
• St Helena
• Swaziland
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan (Republic of China)
• United States of America
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

The South African government, in order to protect local suppliers and guarantee respect for local rules and regulations demands the following:

• Availability in South Africa of the funds necessary to cover the costs for the production (i.e. 80% advances)
  
• South African Public Liability insurance.
  
• Obligatory presence of a representative of the local production company, while the team is working in South Africa.
  

Customs:
It is necessary to accompany all equipment and items to be photographed in South Africa with a Carnet ATA to avoid costs and complications.
Should the equipment not be accompanied by the required Carnet ATA, custom officials can be very strict and delay the clearing of the sample collections and photographic material for several days, while the necessary "temporary import permit" and customs procedures are met. Import duties and VAT will be then be levied by customs to enter the goods in South African territory.

Freight:
It is strongly recommended to send the collection with a professional freight company. V.I.P. has worked with many and can suggest several, if required. Please make sure the lock combinations, or keys, are made available to inspect the goods on arrival.

Airport transfers:
The initial “1 vehicle” pick up and the final drop off of the visiting team at the airport are included in V.I.P.'s daily fee, while additional ones are billed according to standard shuttle rates.
Transportation:
In addition to a minivan (for the team) and/or a car, customers may require a production van (used as mobile make-up and change room, and to carry collection, equipment and props).
(Different vehicles and rates are available to suit individual needs).

Accommodation:
A huge variety of options are available in South Africa, from pretty guesthouses, to luxurious hotels, to private apartments and villas.
Clients should inform V.I.P. of their preference and budget, in order for V.I.P. to make the best suggestion.
In other international destinations serviced by V.I.P., the choice is normally limited to hotels, varying in size and standards according to the available budget.

Casting:
South Africa's many professional models and kids agencies offer a great choice of local and international talent.
S.A.A.S.P. (South African Association Stills Producers) has negotiated preferential rates with all local agencies.
V.I.P. has also negotiated competitive rates with other international model and hair & make-up agencies, on behalf of its customers.

Although Marseille has local model agencies, a lot more choice is available through Paris and Milan ones. Athens and Barcelona have many agencies to select talent from.

Rates, as everywhere, vary according to the calibre and levels of experience of each model.
V.I.P. is pleased to arrange castings with a maximum budget set by the clients, or to re-negotiate with the various agencies the best possible fee for specific models of interest.

Locations:
V.I.P. has selected specific Mediterranean Countries, exotic destinations and South Africa as their operational bases, because they offer a huge variety of locations to meet most clients' requirements.
The many architectural influences cover the building spectrum, from medieval villages to farmhouses to very modern villas.
The natural beauty of these countries has made them favoured tourists' and photographers’ destinations. Desert, mountains, lakes and rivers, farm fields and wine estates, cityscapes and spectacular beaches can be viewed on the “Locations” section of our website.
V.I.P. will organize all the necessary shooting permits, whenever required.
Location fees vary from free of charge for natural spots in and around Cape Town, to € 1000 for privately owned properties.
In Europe and exotic destinations, many outdoor locations are free of charge, while for private and public ones V.I.P. will try and negotiate the best possible deals.
Clients are welcome to contact V.I.P., to receive the company’s promotional DVD including the comprehensive location pictures database.

Production schedule:
Once the selection of models and locations is finalised, and the weather forecast considered, V.I.P. personnel will offer its assistance in planning a detailed daily schedule for the team.

Crew:
Skilled production managers, photographic assistants and drivers are employed by V.I.P. to ensure a professional and pleasant experience. The production managers are at the team's disposal from day of arrival to departure time. They are all very familiar with the many locations and procedures, in addition to being great chaperones for dinners and evening entertainment.
The use of first and/or second photo assistant is recommended.
Experienced ironing lady are available at approximately € 8 to €10 per hour.

Styling and Make-Up:
Many experienced local and international artists are "on stay" in Cape Town, Athens, Barcelona. While Marseille has a more limited choice of talent on stay, the many top artists based in Paris and Milan are only a few hours away.
Daily rates vary between € 300 and € 550.

Digital & Film Photo Labs:
Several professional digital and film labs operate in Barcelona, Athens, Marseille and Cape Town, offering from digital post production to E6 and C41 development.
Photographers are welcome to test with them before deciding which one to use. Please feel free to contact V.I.P., if you wish to receive their latest price lists.

Studios:
Indoors and outdoors studios are available for half and full day hire. Daily rates vary according to size and facilities, between € 300 and € 1000.

Props:
Most things required on the shoot can be sourced locally, particularly in South Africa where the huge film industry has helped the local “prop houses” in collecting the most particular styling accessories. Also available are aeroplanes, yachts, vehicles, trained animals, furniture, etc…. Prices very according to the items' value.

Equipment:
Photographers are recommended to bring their own photographic equipment, although many brands and accessories are available for rental, locally. Please make sure to clear with V.I.P. whether the equipment required is available.
Digital equipment, flash & HMI lighting, reflectors, scrims, tripods, light boxes, steamers, etc…are easily available.
Traditional film can be purchased locally, although most photographers prefer to bring their own. Customers are welcome to query prices with V.I.P.

Catering:
V.I.P. can organise lunches on location, although most clients prefer to take care of their own food allowance.
The variety and quality of restaurants guarantees a gastronomic experience in any of the destinations serviced by V.I.P.
Our production managers will gladly suggest and reserve dinner tables for the teams, at favoured spots.

Craft:
Production managers will purchase the clients' ideal snacks and refreshments to have in the van during the shooting hours. Price will vary according to the selection.

Petty cash:
It is managed and reconciled by the production managers throughout the production; it includes refuelling the vehicles, replenishing the cooler boxes with drinks and snacks, taking care of all small disbursements, tips, etc…

Departure and Post-production:
Teams are assisted with packing their collection and equipment, prior to be accompanied to the airport. Freight arrangements are made for the return of the collection.
The necessary Post-production is included in V.I.P.'s daily fee and is not charged additionally, besides in specific circumstances entailing great amount of work.

Invoicing:
All expenditures are carefully monitored throughout the production, and the planned budget kept constantly in mind.
Clients are updated regularly on expenses incurred and are required to approve any additional costs not included in V.I.P.'s quotation.
To ensure transparency in accounting, copies of specific suppliers' invoices can accompany V.I.P.'s final invoice. Although all South African suppliers' prices are in Rand, to avoid clients guessing the conversion rates, V.I.P.'s South African quotations and invoices are converted into Euro as well, according to the latest rate of exchange.
For productions completed outside the South African territory V.I.P.'s quotation and invoices reflect the € value.

Basic office expenses are charged to customers as a pro-rata amount (i.e. local phoning, faxing and e-mailing pertaining to the specific production), while international calls made from V.I.P.'s premises, cellular telephone calls and hire, courier services, scanning and data transfers are charged according to exact usage. The same applies for the teams' fuel and cash expenditures.
Bank charges are levied to recover the banks commission and fees in transferring the necessary funds to VIP's account and settle the suppliers' bills on behalf of the customers.