Working Conditions in Jordan
Permits
Jordan has been an attractive location for filming international and regional productions. Short travelling distances between desert, forests and sea makes it an ideal location for international directors and producers. Any production needs to run through the Royal Film Commission, which is the sole entity that issues filming permits and helps facilitate between governmental entities and the production. Moreover, international productions are require to collaborate with local production services company which will take care filling all the paperwork required by the Royal Film Commission. If you are working on conflict, religious or war movies give yourself enough time to prep, as permits take more time to be granted. (Up to 4 weeks)
To learn more about to get filming approvals:
http://www.film.jo/Contents/Filming-Procedure.aspx
Production Forms:
http://www.film.jo/ProductionForms.aspx
Working Hours & Overtime
NA working week consists of 5 or 6 days depending on the production with 12 working hours per day.
6th day and occasionally 7Th days and during official holidays are usually paid double.
Overtime is open to crew to work beyond 12 hours calculated as 1.5 extra from the usually rate per hour.
Some productions compensate a full extra day after the 16th hour.
There is a 12-hour turnover over between end of shooting and start of next shooting day.
Long travels are compensated as a travel day
Lunch break is usually 60minutes
Continuous days exist but considered as 10-hour working day.
Driving a production vehicle is considered working time.
Salaries
Each production company has its own rate card in USD, it may vary from low to big budget production.
Tax
Each local production company is entitled to pay 5% tax to Jordan Tax Department on behalf of local freelancers crew members hired.
In case tax exemption is granted, it will only apply on services, hotels and transportation.
Allowances
When crew members travel away from their home they are expected to receive a per diem up which might vary between $35-$70 per day.
Actors & Extras
Day rate for local cast is negotiable and varies if cast is class A, B or C
$750 - $1,000 Class A
$500 - $750 Class B
$250 - $500 Class C
Featured Extras: $100 - $250
Extras: $70 - $100
Weather
Jordan is one of the sunniest countries in the world, we expect rain and snow fall during wintertime and heat waves during summer.
Winter days are short: around 20-30 days throughout the year.
During heat waves the temperature may reach 40-42 Celsius.
Catering
Production Company is expected to provide breakfast and lunch including snacks and craft. Price for quality lunch is 30-40 USD per person per day.
During night shoots production company is expected to provide lunch and dinner including snacks in between.
Continous days: finger food and snacks are expected to be provided throughout the filming hours, in addition to hot and cold beverages.
Studios
Big studio is currently under construction expected to be done and operating by 2023.
Transportation
Inside Amman: usually production provides transportation for local and foreign crew by home pickups or gathering points.
If production is taking place out of Amman, local production company is required to hire vehicles with drivers to transport the crew to the filming location.
There is an international airport in the Southern area of Jordan “King Hussein International Airport” – if the production is taking place in Aqaba or Wadi Rum this can be a faster method to get there.
It is highly recommended to use Uber during days off or post filming hours.
Rebate & Tax Exemption
All information regarding rebate and tax exemption :
http://www.film.jo/Contents/Tax-Incentive-Program.aspx