MOROCCO SAHARA DUNES
THE GOOD
Spectacular Golden Dunes, rising 150 meters into the air. Regularly travelled by other film productions, James Bond, etc.
THE BAD
Hours driving time to get out to the deep desert. Can see civilization at the edges of the desert. Will likely encounter tourists.
FLIGHT TIME TO Ouarzazate FROM YYZ: 13 hours to Casablanca, then 1 hour flight to Ouarzazate, then 3 hour drive to Zagora (alt: 5 hour drive to Merzouga, higher Dunes)
TRAVEL TIME TO LOCATION FROM HOTEL: 3 hours from Zagora to Erg Chigaga Dunes (alt: Merzouga, Erg Chebbi Dunes are taller, but slightly farther away).
TRAVEL TIME BY CHARTER TO LOCATION: 1.5 hours by helicopter from Marrakech, 1.5 hours by light aircraft to Zagora. 3000 to 8000 euro cost to fly 5 to 8 people.
HOURS OF DAYLIGHT (MARCH): 11.5 hours
TEMPERATURE: +10 to +20 C
LOCAL CREW: Plenty of local crew, but may have to bring in some keys from Europe/UK
EQUIPMENT: All standard camera, grip, lighting equip (ish, check, double check). Bring in specialized gear.
BUDGET: Cost competitive.
JORDAN WADI RUM
THE GOOD
Incredible landscape, endless cliffs and desert, "Lawrence of Arabia". Relative proximity to Aqaba isn't too far. Crew costs are low, good crew base.
THE BAD
Flight time is fairly long to get out here. Wadi Rum appears in movies like "The Martian", and the new Star Wars film.
FLIGHT TIME TO AMMAN FROM YYZ: 14 hours (then 3.5 hour drive to Aqaba)
TRAVEL TIME TO LOCATION FROM HOTEL: 1.5 hours from Aqaba 5 star hotels, 45 minutes from local hotel
HOURS OF DAYLIGHT (MARCH): 11.5 hours
TEMPERATURE: +13 to +25 C
LOCAL CREW: Excellent local crews, everyone speaks English. Steadicam may have to come in from Beirut or Dubai.
EQUIPMENT: Grip and lighting equip is readily available, cameras may need to come in from Beirut or Dubai, or come with production. Drone pilot may need to come in from Dubai.
BUDGET: Crew costs are very economical, though we will need to pay travel/housing for them in Aqaba or Wadi
DUBAI DUNES
THE GOOD
Dunes as far as the eye can see. Non-stop from anywhere, Toronto, LA, NY, etc. Dunes are 30 to 45 minute drive from Dubai. Excellent crew and equipment base, don't have to house or travel them.
THE BAD
Expensive. Dunes are not as tall as in Morocco.
FLIGHT TIME TO DUBAI FROM YYZ, NON-STOP: 16 hours
TRAVEL TIME TO LOCATION FROM HOTEL: 30 to 45 minutes
HOURS OF DAYLIGHT (MARCH): 12 hours
TEMPERATURE: +15 to +30 C
LOCAL CREW: Good depths of locally based crew. Both key and supporting crew speak english and work to international standards. Crews are non-union.
EQUIPMENT: Arri, Panavision and RED equipment is available. All standard camera, grip, and lighting equip avail, as well as specialized equip such as Russian Arm, Technocrane and gyro heads.
BUDGET: UAE one of the more expensive. Peak season(Nov-May) hotels very expensive. Standard shoot days comparable to South Africa, but don't have to house or travel the crew
ABU DHABI
THE GOOD
Massive Dunes as far as the eye can see, plus huge salt flats and crazy looks from the air. Non-stop flights from LA. "Force Awakens" filming locations are 2.5 hours drive from the middle of Abu Dhabi, Dunes are as tall as Morocco.
30%! Production Rebate on local spend
THE BAD
Was used in Star Wars. May be expensive, will have to check.
FLIGHT TIME TO ABU DHABI FROM LAX, NON-STOP: 16 hours
TRAVEL TIME TO LOCATION FROM HOTEL: 2.5 hours drive
HOURS OF DAYLIGHT (MARCH): 12 hours
TEMPERATURE: +15 to +30 C
LOCAL CREW: Good depths of locally based crew. Both key and supporting crew speak english and work to international standards. Crews are non-union.
EQUIPMENT: Arri, Panavision and RED equipment is available. All standard camera, grip, and lighting equip avail, as well as specialized equip such as Russian Arm, Technocrane and gyro heads.
BUDGET: UAE one of the more expensive. Peak season(Nov-May) hotels very expensive. Standard shoot days comparable to South Africa, but don't have to house or travel the crew