There has to be a silver lining out there and production value is it. Better exchange rates can make up for lost budget. 

The fairly dramatic fall in the value of the South African currency is probably one of the lesser advertised facts about the past 8 months. From an average of R16.20 to the Euro from October 2019 to March-end 2020, the Rand value dropped to R19.94 from the beginning of August 2020 to mid-October.  Since October it has fluctuated between R19 and R18.18 – representing up to 23,14% drop in value. In production budget terms, a key crew member costing 247 Euro per day last season will be available now for between 201 – 217 Euro per day. 

The USD variation over the same period represents up to 15.3% saving.

On top of that, we are able to negotiate good hotel rates on your behalf as the South African tourism industry needs to fill its rooms.

Another budget-securing option is to lock in an exchange rate to safeguard against currency fluctuations. Please contact us if you‘d like more information on this.

Feel free to get in touch any time if you’ve got questions or want us to quote on a board. We’re #reloaded. 

For questions or more info about any travel and visa requirements, contact Beccy at beccy@moonlightingfilms.co.za. For production info and bids, contact Shayne at shayne@moonlightingfilms.co.za

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS & visas

REMOTE PRODUCTION & its unexpected benefits

SAFETY IS KEY: pandemic proof production protocols

SHOCKPROOF: Moonlighting’s approach to a changing world

10 REASONS WHY South Africa is still the best production destination in the world

SOUTH AFRICA praised by the World Health Organisation

Here’s a quick summary of South Africa’s Covid strategy, our numbers, our strict protocols that remain in Level 1 and info on our world-class private healthcare.

South African Covid numbers are not what was expected, with high recovery rates and a low death-rate. Many of the beds at the country’s hospitals have remained empty and the extra, temporary hospitals never reached capacity.

Lockdown: South Africa went into one of the world’s strictest lockdowns in March in order to prepare our healthcare facilities for the pandemic. The government set out a strategy based on Levels – from Level 5 (full lockdown with borders closed) down to Level 1, which is thankfully where we are now.  The country has gradually opened up and at the moment, all sectors of business are open. Our borders are open for tourism and business from all countries.

Our healthcare system: is a combination of public and private facilities. As a business visitor, you must have medical insurance in order to travel here. Should you require medical treatment of any kind, you will have access to the many state-of-the-art private facilities.

Precautions: South Africa is taking every precaution to try and avoid the spread of COVID-19. Mandatory protocols include

• Proof of a negative PRC Covid test dated within 72 hours of your flight to South Africa must be presented by all visitors upon arrival in South Africa.
• Visitors are further screened upon arrival; providing they present all necessary documents and do not present with any Covid symptoms, then they may continue into South Africa without quarantine.
• Masks must be worn in public at all times.
• Social Distancing must be followed at all times.
• Hands must be sanitized at regular intervals and when entering shops, restaurants etc
• Strict production safety protocols are followed on set, monitored by mandatory Covid Safety Officers
• Everyone is encouraged to download the South African COVID Alert App

Feel free to get in touch any time if you’ve got questions or want us to quote on a board. We’re #reloaded.

For questions or more info about any travel and visa requirements, contact Beccy at beccy@moonlightingfilms.co.za. For production info and bids, contact Shayne at shayne@moonlightingfilms.co.za

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS & visas

REMOTE PRODUCTION & its unexpected benefits

SAFETY IS KEY: pandemic proof production protocols

THE EXCHANGE RATE ADVANTAGE: up to 23% cheaper than in 2019

SHOCKPROOF: Moonlighting’s approach to a changing world

10 REASONS WHY South Africa is still the best production destination in the world

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS and visas

No quarantine is required unless you fail to produce a negative test or show symptoms on arrival – see below.  

NEW COVID REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL TRAVELLERS: the following must be presented on arrival in addition to the standard documents (see below):

• A certified, negative PCR Covid test, dated no more than 72 hours before departure.

• Permission to travel for anyone departing from a high-risk country (the South African government are categorising countries as low, medium and high risk; this list will be updated every 2 weeks).  As your service company, Moonlighting will get this letter of permission for you.

• Proof of accommodation.

• Proof of travel insurance with proven cover for personal Covid expenses (medical expenses, quarantine etc). If your insurance company is unable to provide this, Moonlighting will be able to help at an extra per-day cost.

ON ARRIVAL

• All passengers will be screened upon arrival in South Africa. Provided you show no symptoms and have presented a negative PCR Covid test, then you will be permitted to proceed into arrivals. No quarantine required.
• Anyone showing any possible Covid symptoms will be required to go into mandatory self-isolation (at their own accommodation) until they test negative. Moonlighting will assist you at all times in this.
• All travellers must download the Covid App on arrival purely for any track and trace requirements. We will send you the details.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Nationals of a visa-exempt country: if you are categorised as “Oversight” (this includes producers, directors, DPs, agency and clients), then you will need to present an Oversight Visa Authority letter to immigration upon arrival, as usual. No need to visit the Embassy. As your service company, we will provide this Letter of Authority for you. 

Travellers from non-visa exempt countries and any crew categorised as “specialist” (including talent) will need to apply to their nearest South African Embassy in person for a visa, as before. 

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or questions about any of the requirements. Beccy is your go-to person for this and she will walk you through every step of the process.

beccy@moonlightingfilms.co.za