Ministry aims for more TV and movie filming in Cayman
(CNS): The Ministry of Tourism & Ports (MOTP) has created the new government position of film commissioner to promote the Cayman Islands as a “premier location for film, television and media production”. This move builds “on the momentum” of the recent reality TV show Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise“, according to a release from the ministry.
The aim of creating the new post within the Department of Tourism is to “provide increased opportunities for Caymanians through continued development of the burgeoning local film and television industry”, the ministry said.
According to the ad posted on the Cayman Islands Government career portal, the film commissioner, who will earn between CI$64,056 and $84,036 per year, will be the “logistical, supportive, and operational agent” for the DoT “in facilitating the function of the Cayman Islands Film Commission (CIFC)”. The successful candidate will be the primary liaison between the CIFC, the CIG, private sector stakeholders, and international clients.
The ministry’s release said the film commissioner will be responsible for promoting the Cayman Islands as a top-tier destination for production companies and studios, liaising with film or television projects approved to shoot on the island, and coordinating the newly launched production incentive programme, which offers up to a 35% rebate on qualifying on-island expenditures.
“Building on the momentum of several international feature films and the recent HULU/Freeform/Disney+ series, Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise, the CIFC is working in conjunction with the international film and television community to capitalize and promote our country through the unique exposure that comes from international productions utilising the Cayman Islands as a premium film location,” the ministry said.
The ministry said that in recent years, the CIFC, which is chaired by Caymanian filmmaker, film director and screenwriter Frank E. Flowers, who co-wrote the movie Bob Marley: One love, has assisted with more than 20 film and television productions. These have contributed millions of dollars to the local economy and provided specialised employment and hands-on training for Caymanians in the field.
“The CIFC’s efforts have also produced uniquely related, in-kind, high-value marketing exposure for our islands with promotions on The Kelly Clarkson Show, premium billboards in New York’s Times Square and Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles, and extensive marketing presence via social media and streaming service platforms. The CIFC has been actively promoting the Cayman Airways LAX-GCM direct service to influential members of the Hollywood entertainment industry, as well as fostering relationships in New York and the United Kingdom,” the release said.
The CIFC said it “looks forward to the selected individual joining the efforts to grow the Cayman Islands as a ‘go-to’ location within the international creative community and to cultivate Caymanian talent for viable opportunities within the competitive industry”.
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Category: Art & Entertainment, Jobs, Local News
they just did a spin off the dark side of paradise in West Bay the best bay I heard pretty good a lot better than this one 😄😄😄
Pure foolishness
How about “Boardroom Bumps, Lines n Grinds”
It would be impressive if they could revive a local TV channel like CITV from the old days. CIG TV, on the other hand, is just a government propaganda channel that struggles to produce more than five minutes of news daily, and even that is focused solely on the civil service.
No it wouldn’t
Only great movie 🎥 filmed in Cayman was The Firm starring Gene Hackman and Tom Cruise.
Have more movies like that would be great
They could film ‘Gone Gyal’ down Eastern Ave.
or Gone Feral in the projects
Cayman had the opportunity to be a high end, low volume, boutique destination. That model went out the window as soon as the buildings went higher than the casuarinas and the beach was festooned Med-style with rent by the hour beach chairs. The relentless quest for mass numbers at any price, with cruisers thrown in, has led to the crass debacle we have now.
They could film Fit Club here. It’s a story about an underground fight club, where owners of Honda Fits come together to settle scores. Soap provided by the place in Bodden Town.
Better to call it “Crash”.
LMAO!!! Great comment!
To produce a TV series and a good set takes good logistics, fast clearing processes from CBC which clearly does not exist at this point , available affordable lodging for the cast and filming crew which we don’t have anywhere close to filming locations, adapted infrastructure which we are pushing further into the future to provide !
I discussed the matter with a producer that tried to make it work and had to resort to private planes to get the gear he needed, was constantly getting harassed by CBC for the silliest of things, not to mention WORC , his wife and kids were forced to deal with Cayman’s bad traffic and weren’t given any help nor were accommodated for during their stay by the staff of the “luxury resort” hotel they were staying in for over 2 months! Yes they were lodging in the best suites the hotel had to offer but they didn’t get any help from the staff to book tours and activities their demands for booking were met with “I am sorry Madam but we are fully committed” BS statements as when calling the tour operator I could secure them same day service easily!
The filming crew needed to be bussed around the island daily by price gouging tour operators just to name a few things that gobbled up his time and the time of his team needlessly, clearly reducing the production value of using the island as a filming location!
In conclusion, Cayman is nothing short of a nightmare when it comes to filming and producing high quality broadcast content and it will take a LOT of effort to make the location attractive for the film/tv industry none of which are just a few friendly phone calls away to solve!
There are plenty of other options that work great for the TV industry just 2 hours away by plane, that provide comprehensive service to carter specifically to the industry’s needs with a much more hospitable environment to boot!
The film and television industry work a lot by word of mouth when it comes to choosing filming locations and a single disastrous experience for a production company creates a long time to fix past mistakes not only for the company itself but spreads like wildfire across the entire industry for filmmaking crews share their past experiences with their colleagues. All I can say is that their experience has become a cautionary tale!
The creation of a specific position to coordinate efforts to improve the quality of life for filmmakers would be a good start but it is unlikely that the newest hire would have the skill set needed to :
1) Deal with the ever growing amount of local red tape each administration never fails to provide us local with!
2) Have the necessary connections in the filmmaking industry to promote efficiently Cayman as a locale.
3) Have the necessary expertise in logistics that is needed to provide timely efficient service to the industry’s needs!
4) Provide prospects with competitive opportunities and local services that match the prospect’s standard of expertise.
Good luck to provide all of the above especially since Martinique provides all of the above in spades and has expertise and has a long history of relationships with production companies, excellent logistics and provide tax incentives and tax breaks packages to help along the way. It will take decades to reach this level of attraction of the locale.
Lastly the salary level of the job position doesn’t even come close to matching the salary level of a junior production assistant!!
You’re missing the point.
This is not about making the Cayman Islands into a center of film making. It’s about getting another cousin/nephew a cool job with a nice office, staff, expense account and of course regular trips to L.A.
Nailed it.
very true
The cost of doing business in Cayman in terms of $$ and red tape is too high. There have been many opportunities lost due to government not waiving permits, duties etc. Cost of accommodations is too great, local crew inexperienced. Unless government is willing to make the concessions necessary, no production company will come. I am afraid recent experiences are already on the international “marl road”.
More chances for civil servants to push the film companies toowards their family members for Cayman legal etc assistance.
Imagine Grand Cayman for the location in a dystopian concrete jungle in a post-apocalyptic Caribbean. Overcrowded, over developed, polluted, 3rd world mindset, slave labour, corruption. Don’t have to imagine too hard… that’s no movie. It’s our reality.
Oh well! If they’re looking to make a movie with a beautiful, tropical backdrop… they’ll have to CGI the hell out of 7-Mile Beach and remove the tacky condos and higglers to get it looking beautiful.
It’s hard just taking a tropical looking picture now while on holiday without a crane Igor high rise in the shot unless you’re taking the picture directly of the sea.
Jamaica has it’s rivers, Blue Mountains and waterfalls, we have The Dump!.
Wonder who Kenneth has lined up for this? Hopefully, someone cares and is truly committed to making a difference like getting young people involved and interested in this industry. So many opportunities and yet we don’t support and offer them because of some excuse or another, e.g., degree but no experience, but support giving an expat with no background at all. #committed
Why is everyone so critical? It is a new business area for Cayman that might generate visits by hollywood stars. I think Frankie Flowers has been a pioneer in this area. Instead of being negative, why don’t you go and create new business and employment opportunities for the Cayman Islands? Cayman’s wealth is due to clever thinking and action on the part of Caymanians, for instance the financial services industry.
Where is Frankie filming his movie out the Cayman Brac bluff? Hint, not Cayman Brac.
Has Frankie made anything original?
I believe he leans towards recycled stories of money laundering and crime. None which I think benefit our island.
Get your head out of the clouds!
can we just call it cayman laundry productions and be done with it????
Chinese laundry.
Could be a show of Big Mac modeling his China wear.
Could be a series called ‘The people vs. Mac’ – each week can be covering yet another trial. Bound to be a long runner!
just more civil service expense and another cushy job for a friend of a friend.
Cayman film board was set up 15 years ago and produced nothing.
I am looking forward to the cast coming back for a second season. Aaron represents us proud.
Yeah man Ratt the *original* Caymanian 😂
“Debbie Does Bodden Town East” does have a nice ring to it.
Fake a$$ Hollywood wannabe shite!
This ranks right up there with the free influencer bachelor party, the handbag deal and now this 🤮 Another government employee and total waste of money🤡🤡🤡
What about the football team sponsorship
You won’t see the immigrant trolls that frequent CNS complaining about that because it was an immigrant who spearheaded that particular scam, which clearly goes against their beliefs that Caymanians are all that is wrong with Cayman.
Stop wasting the people’s money and increasing the size of government. Cayman does NOT need a “film commissioner”.
ok i want to to set up a studio called”Porno in Paradise”
who do i talk to?
Idea for next movie filmed in Cayman “JohnJohn and the Excavator”
The Donkey and the Full Moon
Hey, what did happen to the designer handbags, did you inform the Cayman public? How much profit did you make and to which account? Did you make a loss and to which account? You and the rest of you are accountable for every half cent of our money. Let’s start accounting you, your fun days at Cayman’s expense are done!
Brilliant. More vacuous, dead behind the eyes idiots to laugh at.
Some titles to run with ( Pours a Kingston ‘62 and cola).
“ Survivor…Cemetary Beach”.
“ Death in Paradise ~ 7 Mile Edition”.
“ Tropical C.S.I with the R.C.I.P.S”.
“ Real Housewives of Crystal Harbor”.
“ Selling South Sound”.
Bobo we Gwan get Fancy now in G.C.
How about a remake of the Misfits. Plenty of roads to film them on. Or The Revenge of the Excavator.
Could somebody sit Kenneff down and explain economics 101 to him?
Here we go again, spending Government money for a handfull of people.
This will be just like the Barbados flight and the local transport bus system……total failures!!!
Film production usually goes where they get tax breaks and incentives. So why the hell would they come to Cayman.
No tax benefit.
No local expertise.
Costs at least 30% higher.
Did someone say work permits?
And oh the weather isn’t usually very cooperative.
Yup, all makes sense.
There are many words that could describe you @6:17 ,but i will just stick to one “ASININE”
We can fake it all we want but tourists will watch these shows & be very disappointed once they get here. Our tourism product isn’t that great believe it or not and everything’s so expensive. If you can afford to vacation here you can afford every Caribbean island and it’s less crowded, better service, superb food & more privacy.
Yes! Cayman is year-by-year a less desirable destination for tourists. Investors (largely absent) are flocking here to reap the financial benefits of a territory that has no clue how to govern itself, fix its crime and corruption, and is very open to being bought out. Cayman is a paradise that has been self-abused and self-ruined – never going back to its splendor. You reap what you sow.
No local expertise? Ok…
My team is 100% local and has clients ranging from Disney, nat geo, GQ magazine, bbc the list goes on… the local talent here is incredible.
Rob they will swarm and downvote you but never refute your facts. They don’t want to see Caymanians doing well, because it disproves their ridiculous notion that Caymanians aren’t actively doing their part to rise up amongst the most talented in the world. We appreciate you guys and the way you represent our islands well.
Your home page is jumbled. Just an FYI
That’s the power of branding for you. We are Apple, we don’t need the bendable phone with the 100 megapixel camera to attract people. If you can afford to vacation here you can afford to vacation anywhere else indeed – so you vacation here. As my friend at university said, ‘you are not balling until you are doing it in London’. The same applies to travelling to Cayman. St. Barts is the only other place with our cache, and it requires 2 flights to reach and only has 1/4 of our land and 1/8 of our population.
We are not that high on the cachet scale.
Bet this will benefit expats more than Caymanians.
Naive
What a joke.
Risible stuff from a Department of Tourism that is absolutely unfit for purpose.
The lack of vision and understanding is mind boggling.
Stay classy Cayman…
Stay classy Cayman? LMAO That sold out years ago!
Let’s take bets on who this position is going to go to ….
Care to put names to your voice on candidates? Or just typing.
Not allowed
Any professional film production company would laugh this right off their consideration list when they consider the price list, skills deficit, and their location scouts would confirm there’s very little to work with. Everything has to be imported months ahead of filming. 35% rebate on the millions in cost overruns isn’t a studio incentive. The DOT needs to stop pretending they have any understanding of how these decisions are made – and stop bankrolling their caviar fantasies with public money.
Don’t waste your mind on their nonsense.
Ministry sucks, nuff said.
Nothing they do is in the interest of Caymanians. Can they just stop saying that to make them self’s look good.
Bring in more multi millionares to launder money.
Lettuce bee cereal….
Only cokeheads need apply!
They will need things to do when they get here aside from filming and working. What are we offering if we keep destroying the environment to have hotels that look just like where they come from? What about if they bring their families for the short time they are here? With the skate park gone, and a few beaches. What are we offering for teenagers other than underage drinking?
Thanks, but no thanks! That Secrets in Paradise “show” was pure and absolute foolishness. Besides, what’s the point of any of this if said shows/movies are not even permitted to be viewed in our jurisdiction without a VPN? SMH, bunch of clowns.
oh come that show was one of the funniest things I have seen in a long long time.I was howling with laughter at all of them.
IT was so EMBARRASSING!
Hey dipstick, that was done before and it closed down. Not paying my money for your film commissioner. Who you already got lined up jonjon🤑 Have some good film titles lined up, not printable 🤪
…DonkeyKong
…Full Moon in Bodden Town
…Traffic pole demolition derby
…Excavator road rage
…Extra attention from my personal trainer
This is exactly what it is all about, self, right there in writing in the face, along with designer handbags, New York parks blah blah = Narcissism!
Big shout out to vomit!
🤣🤣🤣🤣👻💀🤪🫨🥵🥸😵💫🥹😈👽🤡
Did you roll around on your keyboard? Words work!
😜🤪😂🤧🦴😘🤩😚
Not when there are no words left for these morons, capiche!