Anyone been to India ...
 

I have a question! I'm may be need of a fast visa to India but ... I'll be taking minimal gear and may be able to fake the tourist bit ... anyone have any experience on this?

Off to India ...
 

Anyone with any experience taking gear there and dealing with the visa question ... anyone?

Flew into Delhi from Canada four years ago and then to Mumbai and Trivendrum (hope I spelled that right) internally with ZERO problems other than someone decided to help themselves to my Leatherman packed in my checked luggage. The only reason I BROUGHT checked luggage was to bring my Leatherman. We traveled with a Sony Z1U and all the fixings but no tripod. Bought a photo tripod when we got there to avoid the hassles of bringing multiple bags.

If you haven't traveled internationally much, watch the locals when you get there for procedures. For example, your luggage (at least where I was) is screened AS SOON AS YOU GET to the airport and NOT when you get your boarding pass. I walked right past the security kiosk inadvertently and couldn't get my boarding pass after waiting in line for 2 hours until I went back and had my bag checked.

As well, the caste system seems to be alive and well: people will walk directly to the front of any line without rhyme or reason. Don't get upset. "When in Rome..."

Of all my international trips, clearing customs et al in India was probably the EASIEST trip I've been on. Good luck and have fun!

Depending on how much and what gear you're taking, you might want to check with the Indian Consulate on the customs duty requirements. Don't know about India but some countries require a surety bond or deposit with customs when you take professional gear with you to insure its re-export. You can sometimes avoid that by obtaining an ATA Carnet covering your gear before you travel but I don't think India accepts Carnets for film/video equipment.

Hi Dean.................
 

Doesn't sound like a very Japanese name so will assume you're not travelling on a Japanese passport?

You name the passport, maybe I can help with the visa thing.

As Steve said - what gear and how much and for how long?

Where to?

When?

A couple of details would work wonders.


CS

Humm ...
 

No one has been there on the forum?

Next March, can you hang about till then :) You'll have much more tourist type success with a smaller cam.

Cheers.

Moved here from XDCAM EX.

I have several friends that have been to India on shoots and I've spent a lot of time researching similar issues in that region. What are you trying to figure out exactly?

Travelled to New Delhi, Bombay, Goa and points south
 

Hi, for what it's worth, I took my Canon XL-1S in a fairly large Petrol case (hand-carryable size, though) but no pro tripod. Instead I bought a nice Manfrotto-Bogen but small still camera tripod which I stuck into one duffle-bag type of suit case. This is important as sometimes there's no avoiding using a tripod, but it's a site-specific permission issue in most cases.

Visa was a tourist type. Had no problems whatsoever with any customs authorities. There are some restrictions on whether you can shoot video in some sites, but for others you have to haggle with and eventually pay an extra fee and/or slip bribe money to the gate-keepers to use video gear. Sometimes you have to promise not to record any sound, and going through the motion is disconnecting or removing any mics on your camera, something you can simply ignore once you're inside the site.

Ditto for Nepal as well.

Travelled to India last December on tourist visa. Entered via Delhi with Miller Tripod DS10 with solo legs checked in. Canon XLH1 boken down, including batteries and tapes, in soft bag as hand luggage. All other bits including PAG light and a long len's distributed in my wifes and my checked in luggage. No problems at all. Travelled internally on trains.

Regards

Mick

thanks to all ...
 

I maybe off ... this is still up in the air and I'm supposed to go next week ... crazy producer. I will take a small footprint camera ... sounds cables, mics, sound mixer, led panel lights and mainly was worried about having enough time to get the visa and then what type to get. Tourist sounds OK and still up in the air on how long it will take to actually get the visa. Here in Japan, we can get the visa at the embassy ... and no, I'm not Japanese ... US passport.

I'm in India
 

I'm here in India right now...but I came from the US on a tourist Visa.
Brought my HVR-V1U and all the accessories, Canon DSLR + lenses, and pro tripod
Did not have any problems...so far so good! Just told the people at customs that I was not a professional (which I'm not) and that is was church related and they said no problem. The only time I had to take all my gear out was in my hometown airport!

Hope this helps

Jason

I've been traveling to India and all of Asia with video equipment since 1984 -- just about every year. Last time with a Sony V1. I carry the video camera in a cheap bag through the visa/passport line just like any tourist. No one ever looks in this bag -- at least for the least 15 years. I also carry a laptop (a MBP) in a cheap bag. No one looks at it either. I can usually cram a still camera or mic in these bags.

All checked baggage goes through X-rays BEFORE you get it. However, I toss batteries and misc in this suitcase. Last time I had a lightweight tripod in the bag

After picking-up all your bags just walk toward the Green channel and give the person the customs form you filled-out on the plane. Don't need to write anything about your gear if you are a "tourist!"

If they ask do you have anything to declare just say no and keep walking. (I always go through with a crowd and look like I know where i'm going -- eyes looking ahead for people who are waiting for me.

Even in the `80's all they did was write the camera and VTR serial numbers in your passport and check that you left with them.

Now if you have cases with lighting and sound equipment -- you may not get through as easily. :(

PS: when I want to see how things are going, I look for a "Sony World" and ask if I can connect an HDMI cable to one of the many Bravia's on display. HDMI is nice cause you get audio! But, now everyone I know has the latest plasma or LCD HDTVs so I can work at their house. (DVD and TVs all play NTSC so you can burn DVDs along the way.)

Blu-ray is big in some areas. (Sony World stores have BD players.) A friend bought a 50" Sharp HDTV and they threw in a Sharp BD player. I just bought a new VAIO with BD burner so I can create disks as I travel.

Trying to get by as a tourist with that much gear sounds risky to me. See if you can get the production company to assume responsibility for getting the equipment to the locations - arranging shipping and customs clearance as freight shipped ahead rather than having you try to take it as checked baggage. Given some of the horror stories that are emerging lately, as well as airlines starting to charge a king's ransom for any checked baggage at all (much less excess baggage), a lot of people are turning to FedEx and the like to move their gear rather than even trying to check it.

I've done a few shoots - Mumbai, Bangalore and Goa.

I specifically went with unobtrusive kit (PDX-10, ECM-77, little LED lamp - friends LitePanel I think) as the main issue was to avoid being taken for a Journalist. This profession seemed to be quite possibly the worst case scenario for getting a quick visa. Business visas can take weeks in the UK. Tourist ones can take days or less if you've got the cash.

Paperwork and administration is a national passion, and the folks at Mumbai airport are particularly proficient at it. It seems to boil down to either Keep It Really Simple or Do It Properly. Don't go off half-cocked, so to speak. I could insert anecdote about a team member who almost got banged up because he appeared to be travelling with too many watches (three)...

... Then there's the tales of how many people it takes to move a ladder, the set that was made out of teak, Indian Health & Safety at Work exampes - lamps with bare ended wires held into sockets with matchsticks, Mumbai traffic (it's like brownian motion with 2-stroke cars). Usual rules apply about filming official buildings, police or police-type people, etc. I've been lucky enough to have a great ground agent who can smooth the way in those 'have you got a permit' situations, though they were engaged by my clients.

Another thing that caught out an American colleague - electricity is 230v 50Hz when it's working. Watch your power supplies (his ThinkPad went pop).

If you're shooting on a slightly bigger budget, India's got a huge film industry, so getting lighting, dollies and cranes is easy - though it's mostly of a certain, erm, vintage.

The timing of this post could not have been more perfect for me as I too shall be going to India, in January, probably with a DVX100b, a mic, and a small cheap tripod, as a tourist (who wants to shoot an experimental documentary over four months' time). So, thanks!

A quick note of caution - I recently arrived at Delhi airport with a Z7 in carry on luggage. I passed through customs and immigration fine, but as I was on my way out of the terminal an official (apparently randomly) sent me back to have my luggage scanned again. On seeing the camera the woman on the scanner told me to go back and see the customs people, who had a bit of a think and then told me I had to cough up 36% of the value of the camera. A jetlagged discussion followed and 20 minutes later I was allowed to go with no money passing hands. It seemed to help that I was doing some filming for a charity (semi-true), and asking to see the customs supervisor moved things forward. As ever the golden rule for all border crossings is to remain calm and polite at all times. Still, it was a lucky escape..

Very helpful thread, as I am leaving in 3 weeks to film at Dharamsala and at a yoga ashram in Southern India.
I am carrying an Ex-3, Miller Solo combo, so I have entry worries. I bought a fairly plain looking kata bag instead of my flashy cases. I will try and get the legs into my regular luggage (one checked bag).

I hear that a business or journalist visa is a nightmare hassle - can take 2 months! I have another team member already there, so I will travel alone.

Any more points I should be aware of?

Be aware of local customs and sensitivities; for example: do not pass anything to a local with your left hand. The left hand is used EXCLUSIVELY for something very personal, in terms of personal cleanliness. This would be seen as a very obscene insult.

Also, realize that the caste system is alive and well and that certain persons will not believe that they need to stand in line (or queue as my British friends would have it) and will promptly walk to the front of it. Look around and do as others do.

Take hand sanitizer and use it frequently.

The usual cautions around food and drink. Open it/peel it yourself, bottled water only, well cooked food only, avoid the roadside vendors (even though sometimes that is the most appealing looking food), be aware that eating beef in particular is generally not a good idea due to the reverence of Hindus for cows. In fact, a very large number of Indians are vegetarian.

Don't even TRY to drive yourself. There is a skill and luck that only the locals have that allow them to make their unique form of traffic etiquette work.

Enjoy yourself. We met so many amazing people on our trip.

Get a local "fixer". Trust me.

Sunblock and mosquito repellant are NOT optional. We used Watkins lotion exclusively. High DEET content, easy to apply.

Hi

It’s my first post on this forum (for a couple of months I’ve been silent observer) so let’s begin!

I am staying in India since August 2008 so I think I can share with you my experiences about this country.

Steve Mullen brought a lot of useful info – thanks for that!!!

First thing – visa.
There are legends and myths about people NOT connected with any bigger TV/film production network who managed to get journalist/business Indian visa. So if you do it on your own – take a risk and go on tourist visa.
As it has been said – look of professional filmmaker with huge metal cases full of equipment is like a magnesium for customs services. Better use soft bags, hide tripods (in parts if possible) to main luggage; you can hide your lenses there also( in safe cases of course). It’s generally safer to take your camera in/as a hand luggage – if anyone have ever seen how Indian airport worker are “taking care of “ any luggage, he/she knows what I’m talking about.
I’m usualy flying with all my basic equipment, and I had only one control – I had shotgun mike in a metal box in main baggage and guys asked me to open bag. “What’s that” they asked, “ Microphone in metal box” I andwered splendidly. And that’s it – no problems.
Now, after terrorist attacks in Mumbai, controls are more strict, but still one could bring (not nessesarily legal) stull through security check.

There are – as with almost everything in India – strict rules about proffesional/official using cameras. More about this you can find i.e. on official Indian Embassy pages, like this:
Embassy of India Berlin

Generally – feature and documentary making in India has to be reported to Government of India minimum one month before arriving to Asia. After paying “Script evaluation fee” of about $200 (for documentary nothing) you are obliged to present Indian authorities you detailed plan for your shooting in India: where are you planning to stay, film, travel; who are you going to meet; how long, why, etc. With some bigger projects ( i.e. feature films) you have to get permission to film in particularly unstable places, regions (i.e. North Eastern India , Kashmir); Indians have right to send with you Officer who’s job is to “help” you with possible problems in field - real reason: control what and where you’re shooting, who’re you meeting and report everything (what can even end with holding your premission!!!) and of course making your life even more difficult.
However, here is the best part – as official text says:

“(...)nothing detrimental in the depiction of India or the Indian people shall be shot or included in the film(...)”

and your finished film after checking will be approved of disapproved (if it has any scenes which are not common with the interest of the Republic of India, whatever it means).

Check this out: “(...)we further undertake to delete and destroy the portions of the film that may be found objectionable on such scrutiny by the Government of India(...)”.
Hmm, I thought India is a democratic country…<sigh>…

Thus it is better to go to India as “tourist”.
I don’t think that even authors of “Born to Brothels” had any permission – with this kind of scabrous topic there won’t be much left after scrutiny :P

If you’re planning a small project it is better to take your own equipment to India, because even in big cities there’s a problem with renting it.
Of course if you consider taking cheap tripod – do not do this – you can buy in every bigger photo shop tripod for equivalent of $25.
Lighting equipment has very limited accessibility. In Mumbai it was almost impossible to rent a small light kit. There is no problem with bigger lights (1KW plus!), but I thought that in the capital of Bollywood it would be much, much easier to get any kind of film stuff.

If you really need equipment, and there is nothing to rent – Singapore with loads of stuff is not so far away :P

Shooting – Indians are everywhere and are very curious especially about foreigners with unknown electronics. I heard a story from one friend, that during shots on the beach in Mumbai (2 cameramen, 1 boom operator, 3 guys for lighting, interviewer and actors) there was a gigantic crowd of 300-people (!!!) surrounding and following the crew along the beach. They must have had terrible problems…
In India very simple and innocent situation can easily get out of control, so be very aware what’s going on around you. Two starers can in seconds become furious crowd, so watch out!!!
It’s good to have at least one person speaking Hindi or other local language.

General tips about India you can easily find on travelng portals, usually just follow your common sense.

Thanks for the good info Daniel.
You confirmed most of what I am thinking - I leave for India in 3 weeks to shoot for a month. I am taking basic stuff - Ex-3, Miller Solo sticks, etc. I will carry the Ex-3 and check the tripod inside a regular suitcase - and check a second bag for my clothes. Once outside the airport, I will pop the tripod back into it's own soft-case and trash the suitcase.
I have a 2nd crew member that could also take the tripod in his case - either way we will split this up.
I shoot in China and Japan every few months, and never have a problem taking pro-looking equipment and cases throught the airport. In fact, China is one of the easiest countries to film.
I will also recruit a local talking person as well - I usually ask in the hotels - quite often its a family member of the hotel owner.
Do you think keeping the same car and driver is a good idea? I will be in Dharamsala for 10 days, then travelling down to South India for 2 weeks.
Again thanks.

We are big fans of retaining a single car and driver as long as practical. It allows for some level of bonding that MAY help you out IF you ever end up in a really bad bit. My driver in Jamaica saved my life. Literally.

As well, makes sure to take at LEAST a change of underwear, socks and T-shirt in your carry on. Wrap the camera with them if you need to. At least that way if you are separated from your checked bag, you can do the in sink laundry thing thing until you and your bag are reunited or you can make it to a local shop for clothes.