Location Managers
Professional on-set location management keeping your Mexican locations running smoothly from Mexico City, Guadalajara, Cancún.
Location management in Mexico requires professionals who navigate federal, state, and municipal permit systems — from COMEFILM's national coordination to INAH archaeological zone permits and state film commission approvals. Our location managers ensure comprehensive permit coverage across Mexico's administratively complex but extraordinarily rewarding filming landscape.
We connect you with location managers who know Mexico's spectacular filming locations. Our network includes professionals experienced in managing shoots from Mexico City's historic centre to Baja Studios' famous water tanks, Oaxaca's colonial architecture, and the Yucatán's ancient pyramids — providing the local expertise behind productions like Spectre, Roma, and Sicario.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete Location Management
From tech scouts through wrap, our location managers handle every aspect of your filming locations—so you can focus on making your production.
01
On-Set Management
- Daily location supervision
- Crew coordination on site
- Safety management
- Noise & crowd control
- Access management
Site Control
02
Permit Coordination
- Filming permit management
- Road closure coordination
- Authority liaison
- Compliance monitoring
- Documentation handling
Legal Compliance
03
Property Relations
- Owner communication
- Access negotiations
- Damage prevention
- Neighbor relations
- Community liaison
Relationship Management
04
Location Logistics
- Tech scout coordination
- Base camp setup
- Parking management
- Wrap & restoration
- Multi-location coordination
Smooth Operations
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Location Managers
01.
Local Permit Expertise
Expert navigation of Mexican permit systems through COMEFILM and state film commissions. We coordinate INAH archaeological permits, municipal authorizations, and state-level approvals across Mexico's filming regions.
02.
Location Knowledge
We understand INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia) requirements for filming at archaeological sites like Teotihuacán and Chichén Itzá, including 30+ day advance permit applications.
03.
Community Relations
Our location managers build positive relationships with ejido communities, property owners, and local authorities across Mexico. We navigate community dynamics with cultural sensitivity and maintain long-term trust.
04.
Logistics Mastery
From Mexico City's vast urban landscape to Baja's ocean-front studios, Oaxaca's colonial streets, and remote Yucatán archaeological zones, our managers coordinate logistics across Mexico's diverse geography.
On Location
Location managers coordinating CDMX, Teotihuacán, Chichén Itzá, Yucatán cenotes, Baja Pacific, and Durango Western locations under INAH, INBAL, and SECTUR Pueblos Mágicos permits
Here is how this works in practice. Mexican location running commands one of the world's most diverse production territories. Our location managers have delivered Roma (Cuarón 2018 CDMX Roma/Condesa), the Spectre 007 Day of the Dead Zócalo opening with helicopter aerials, Apocalypto Yucatec Maya Yucatán jungle (Mel Gibson 2006), Sicario CDMX-Sonora (DP Roger Deakins), Narcos: Mexico CDMX-Guadalajara-Tijuana multi-season, Bardo (Iñárritu 2022 CDMX), The Magnificent Seven Durango Western, Quantum of Solace Yucatán-CDMX, and The Counselor Juárez border (Ridley Scott 2013).
On the ground, the Mexican location bench covers CDMX (Roma/Condesa, Coyoacán Frida Kahlo Casa Azul, Centro Histórico UNESCO, Xochimilco UNESCO), the pre-Hispanic UNESCO archaeological cluster (Teotihuacán, Chichén Itzá, Palenque, Monte Albán, Uxmal, Tulum. Locations include all INAH-permitted), Yucatán cenotes and Sian Ka'an Biosphere UNESCO, Baja (Fox Baja Studios + San Ignacio whale watching + Cabo San Lucas), Durango Western heritage, Acapulco 1950s heritage, Real de Catorce desert ghost town, and the volcanoes Popocatépetl, Iztaccíhuatl, Pico de Orizaba (5,636m).
Here is the short of it. We set up the full permit and authority stack: INAH (mandatory for ALL pre-Hispanic archaeological sites + colonial heritage, 30+ day lead minimum), INBAL (colonial baroque architecture — Palacio de Bellas Artes etc.), SECTUR Pueblos Mágicos (35+ named towns including San Cristóbal de las Casas, Real de Catorce, Tequila, San Miguel de Allende, Pátzcuaro, Tepoztlán), SEMARNAT (biosphere reserves including Sian Ka'an UNESCO and Copper Canyon Tarahumara), CDMX 2,240m altitude logistics (oxygen-lower action sequences), hurricane-season June-November Pacific/Caribbean scheduling windows, the Día de Muertos UNESCO Intangible 2008 cultural shoot window (late October-November 2), and Cinco de Mayo Puebla heritage.
On the ground, Climate planning: November-April dry/cool highlands ideal, May-October rainy highlands (afternoon thunderstorms), tropical lowland 70-95% humidity Yucatán/Chiapas, Sonoran/Chihuahuan -5°C winter dawn. INALI indigenous language coordination, INM work permits, STIC/STPC union framing, IMSS workers' comp, 16% IVA, ATA Carnet via SAT/Aduanas, USMCA Tijuana-LA cross-border.
ACT 03
FAQ
Location Management Expertise
What does a location manager do during production?
The location manager oversees all aspects of your filming locations—from arrival to wrap. This includes supervising crew on site, managing access and parking, coordinating with property owners, monitoring permit compliance, controlling noise and crowd issues, and ensuring the location is restored properly.
Do you handle permits and permissions?
Yes, our location managers coordinate all filming permits across Mexican states. We work with COMEFILM for federal support, state film commissions for regional permits, and INAH for all archaeological zone access. Municipal road closures and police coordination are also handled.
What about heritage sites and protected locations?
We specialize in managing complex locations including Teotihuacán, Chichén Itzá, and colonial historic centres. Our managers handle INAH permit applications (required 30+ days in advance), negotiate filming windows, and arrange dawn/dusk shoots at premium archaeological sites.
How do you handle neighbor and community relations?
Our location managers proactively communicate with neighbors before filming, address concerns during production, and ensure positive relationships. This community approach protects your production and maintains good standing for future shoots.
Can you manage multiple locations simultaneously?
Yes, for productions with multiple locations, we provide location management teams coordinating across all sites. Our managers communicate to ensure consistent standards and seamless company moves between locations.
What are typical location fees?
Location fees in Mexico vary by state and site. INAH archaeological sites have structured permit fees, while COMEFILM facilitates public location access. Our managers negotiate rates and handle all EFICINE incentive-related paperwork in MXN.
Related Services
Related Support Roles
ACT 04 — On Set
Need Location Management?
Tell us about your locations and we'll provide experienced managers for your production.