Production services for stills and film shoots in South Africa
Steel is a production service company. When a brand, agency or photographer from abroad wants to shoot in Cape Town or elsewhere in Africa, we put together everything the shoot needs on the ground, so the creative team can arrive and work.
Production management
A dedicated producer from first quote to wrap: budgets, schedules, call sheets, contracts and a single point of contact for your team.
Crew
Handpicked South African crew we have worked with for years: photo assistants, digital techs, DOPs, gaffers, grips, stylists, hair and make-up, art department and runners.
Casting
Model and talent casting through Cape Town agencies and street casting, with casting sessions filmed and shared for remote approval.
Location scouting
Scouting and recce across Cape Town, the Western Cape and further afield, with location agreements, permits and neighbour liaison handled for you.
Permits and compliance
Film permits, drone permits, beach and national park access, and the local paperwork that keeps a shoot on the right side of the rules.
Equipment and studios
Camera, lighting and grip rental, studio bookings, unit base, motorhomes and generators.
Travel and logistics
Flights, visas and work permits for visiting crew, carnets and equipment import, accommodation, transport and catering.
Stills and motion
Hybrid productions where a stills campaign and a film shoot share a crew, location and schedule, so both come home from the same trip.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need a local production company to shoot in Cape Town?
Not legally, but almost every international shoot uses one. A local production service company holds the relationships with crew, locations, rental houses and permit offices, handles payments in South African rand, and carries the local insurance and compliance. It means your team arrives to a shoot that is ready to go.
When is the best time of year for a stills shoot in Cape Town?
The main season runs from roughly October to April, when the Northern Hemisphere is dark and the Cape has long days, reliable light and summer weather. The winter months (June to August) are quieter and cheaper, with dramatic skies and green landscapes, and suit briefs that do not need beach weather.
What do we need to arrange for visiting crew?
Visiting crew may need visas or work permits depending on their nationality and the nature of the work. We advise on requirements for each production and help prepare the supporting letters and paperwork well ahead of travel.
Can we bring our own camera equipment into South Africa?
Yes. Professional equipment is usually brought in on an ATA Carnet, which allows temporary import without paying duties. Many productions rent locally instead, and Cape Town has well-stocked camera, lighting and grip rental houses.
Do we need permits to shoot on location?
Most public locations in Cape Town, including beaches, streets and national parks, need a film permit, and drone work needs its own authorisation. We apply for permits as part of pre-production and build the lead times into the schedule.
How far in advance should we book?
For peak-season shoots, four to eight weeks' notice gives the best choice of crew, talent and locations. Shorter turnarounds are possible and we do them often, but some locations and permits need more time.
Where can you shoot outside Cape Town?
We produce across South Africa, including the Winelands, the West Coast, the Karoo and the Garden Route, and further afield in Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. Tell us the look you need and we will suggest where to find it.
Do you produce film and motion as well as stills?
Yes. Many of our productions are hybrid, with a stills campaign and a film or social content shoot running on the same days with a shared crew and location.
How do we get a quote?
Send us the brief, the dates you have in mind, the number of shoot days and the size of the team travelling. We will come back with a budget, location ideas and a proposed schedule.
Send us your brief
Tell us what you want to shoot and when. We will come back with locations, crew and a budget.