Production Services in Switzerland

Filming Locations in Switzerland
One advantage of filming in Switzerland is in most cases the budget since it is a country of high salaries and high standard of living. Switzerland is famous for its alps. Filming in high mountains affect in many cases the transport and travel costs e.g. helicopter. Hotels in Switzerland are in comparison to the rest of Europe more expensive. Since Switzerland is not part of the EU goods that you import have to be declared.

Crew & Equipment
Swiss crew is professional and keeps a high standard as there have been lots of international feature film productions. But they are also used to work for small shoots as well as for documentaries, commercials, corporate or branded content productions. Swiss film business is small, if there is somebody special needed crew from neighboring countries e.g. Germany can help out. Swiss people highly value honesty, hard work, tolerance and a sense of responsibility. Professional English is guaranteed. Besides English all crew speak either French, German or Italian. Rentals have equipment in good quality. Special equipment like a russian arm has to be brought in from the neighboring countries.

Permits
Filming on public property with minimal portable equipment, short duration, for current and unpredictable media coverage does not in itself require a filming permit. However, as soon as equipment is put down on the ground, streets closed off and for larger projects with bigger crew, a permit is required. As in many countries a separate permit is required for the drone. And be aware of the data protection regulations of the federal government and the protection of privacy apply to photo and film recordings of any kind. In cities like Zurich, applications should be submitted at least 4 weeks in advance. If no parking spaces or road closures are required, allow at least 2 weeks for the filming permits. On high national holidays, only photographs and small filming are permitted. Advertising photos/advertising films are prohibited on such days. And of course the prices of permits as always are very different. It really depends on the needs.

Locations
Switzerland is best known for its Alps, the skiing resorts, impressive glaciers and spectacular high mountains like the Matterhorn (4478m) in Wallis, Eiger (3967m), Mönch (4107m), Jungfrau (4158m) in Bernese Oberland or Piz Bernina (4048m) in Graubünden and there are many more. The breathtaking nature around the Alps provided the backdrop for numerous Hollywood productions. Apart from the Alpine scenery in Switzerland you find 1500 lakes. Many are little mountain lakes. The famous big ones are the Genfersee on the French order, Bodensee on the German and Austrian border, Vierwaldstättersee @Luzern, Zürichsee and of course the Lake Maggiore
on the Italian border.

The Rhine Falls is a waterfall that attracts visitors during the whole year. Autumn in the Engadin, which many also refer to as the “Indian Summer”, is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the region of Switzerland.
Switzerland has a rich and deep-rooted tradition of architecture from fairytale fortresses, mighty castles, renaissance chateaux, in vogue buildings, magnificent villas, picturesque villages and streets or rustic mountain huts. Architecture in Switzerland takes a high dose of particularly scenic beauty and natural picturesqueness.
The few bigger cities like Zürich, Geneva, Bern and Luzern are modern but still hold the history that had shaped them. Their lakes and mountain backdrop or the panoramic view make them very special and beautiful. Switzerland is divided into a German, French and Italian part. You can actually tell not only from the language but also from the overall appearance.

Weather
The climate varies greatly from region to region. It is characterised by the Alps and the proximity to the Atlantic. North of the Alps there is a moderate Central European climate, south of the Alps it is more Mediterranean. Four seasons can be clearly distinguished from each other. The temperatures are primarily dependent on the altitude. In the highest regions of Switzerland, the average values are well below freezing. Average daily maximums of 25 °C and more are possible in June, July and August in the lower elevations on the southern side of the Alps and in the Central Plateau. The longest and most intense heat waves typically also occur in these months, with daily highs of more than 30 °C. There are hardly any hot days above 1200 m above sea level. Switzerland is particularly hard hit by global climate change. The zero degree limit rises. As a result, winter precipitation at lower altitudes increasingly falls as rain rather than snow. Summers are getting hotter and drier. A particularly big challenge is among other things the glacial retreat.