DOCUMENTARIES
REPORTAGES
NEWS

At Soviet Tours, we understand the unique challenges faced by documentarists and reporters seeking to uncover stories in offbeat destinations. We offer a wide range of media services tailored to facilitate their work, including logistical support, local expertise, and access to cultural resources. Our team can provide assistance with transportation, accommodations, and on-the-ground coordination, ensuring that journalists and filmmakers can focus on capturing authentic narratives. By leveraging our extensive network across various locations in the former USSR, Yugoslavia, Africa, and the Middle East, we empower media professionals to create impactful content that resonates with their audiences.

PRELIMINARY ADVISORY AND BUDGETING

With expertise developed working in mainstream television, we can assist you from the early stages of pre-production planning and story boarding. We provide comprehensive budgets, put together call sheets, and provide logistical plans for the smooth running of production.

FEASIBILITY STUDY AND GROUNDWORK

Appeal versus feasibility: an eternal dichotomy for journalists, photographers, and documentary filmmakers alike. Some stories may look intriguing on paper, but turn out extremely hard to cover. Entering a Russian Mafia den in Yekaterinburg and interviewing the local Godfather might look tempting, but how do you go about it? Splendid ideas elicit lots of enthusiasm, but don’t always yield worthy results. We hear you out, listening to your ideas and plans, and then give you a realistic assessment on the actual achievability of your projects. Once we have determined what can and can’t be done, we will immediately proceed with laying the groundwork.

LOCATION AND TECH SCOUTING

Our perfectionist location management team will relentlessly and painstakingly work to guarantee a successful outcome of your production, scouting the best locations and securing contact to the subjects of your story, be they kalashnikov-toting talibans in Afghanistan, traditional hunters in the Central African Republic, engaged climate activists in Siberia, or gang members in Haiti.

We manage your production line, overseeing all the managerial aspects of your project.

SUBJECTS AND INTERVIEWEES

The time-consuming process of looking for subjects and interviewees for your documentary or news report is often fraught with challenges and hardships. We understand the hurdles in finding compelling subjects for documentaries and interviewees for reportages, as the quest for authentic stories can be challenging. At Soviet Tours, we assist you throughout the entire process, providing access to a diverse network of individuals with unique experiences and insights. Our expertise in offbeat travel destinations ensures that you can uncover rich narratives that resonate with your audience, while our dedicated support helps streamline your search and facilitate meaningful connections. Whether you seek stories from the former USSR, Yugoslavia, Africa, or the Middle East, we are here to help you navigate the complexities of documentary filmmaking and storytelling.

RISK ASSESSMENT AND REDTAPE

Every production is unique, so as the risks associated with it. We understand risk and, through rigorous analysis, we identify and manage it to protect your crew, ensuring continuity in the wake of disruptive events. We provide a detailed and systematic risk analysis of your production, delivering safety, medical and communication methods and backup plans. Thanks to our extensive knowledge of the regions we work in and a deep understanding of the vast plethora of the inherent risks, we prepare a response at any stage of your project – from development to full scale production. Shooting in the former Eastern Bloc requires permits, no matter where. Whether you wish to film in central Moscow or in an isolated mountain hamlet of Eastern Tajikistan, you’ll need the relevant piece of paper to do so. The application process varies in each country and can be complex and time-consuming. We have been through such processes many times across our region of expertise and know whom, when, where and how to approach in order to secure your permits in the most cost-effective and timely manner.

RECCE AND ACCESS

Based on the storyline and your angle, we provide detailed location reconnaissance services conducted by experienced producers, ensuring a high level of information-transfer throughout the process. We always find a way to provide access into sensitive stories and challenging locations in this ever-complex region, no matter how difficult it looks like. We can take you down to the coal-mining depths of war-torn Donbass and then up over the frozen clouds of the Russian Arctic.

PRODUCTION LINE AND LOGISTICS

We plan, implement and monitor the entire logistics of your project, securing a seamless flow of people, vehicles, equipments, and stage materials. Our extensive and diversified network of contacts on site enables us to provide a wide and comprehensive range of production and logistical services, be it a simple minivan for you and your crew or an entire apparatus of odds and ends.

CREW AND GEARS

We source the best available local and international professionals and high-quality gears and equipment to create a perfect crew for your shooting. The list thereof includes (but is not limited to): extras, stunt teams, gaffers, riggers, make-up artists, hairdressers, weapons specialists, sound technicians, camera operators, photographers, and set decorators.

ANCILLARY SOLUTIONS AND ROUND-THE-CLOCK ASSISTANCE

Ancillary services play a crucial role in the successful execution of a documentary or photo reportage, as they provide the necessary support that allows filmmakers and photographers to concentrate fully on their creative vision and artistic goals. Reliable drivers ensure efficient and timely transportation to often remote and hard-to-reach locations, while comfortable and well-appointed accommodations create a conducive environment ideal for rest and for the review of the daily work completed. Airport transfers minimize stress during travel, enabling a smoother transition between different stages of the journey, and catered meals provide essential sustenance that fuels the demanding long shooting days. Well-planned side-trips to interesting and relevant locations enrich the narrative and offer unique perspectives that may not be easily accessible otherwise, while extra activities can greatly enhance engagement with local cultures and communities. Moreover, round-the-clock on-site assistance ensures that any logistical challenges are promptly and effectively addressed, allowing for a seamless production experience that ultimately contributes to a higher quality of work and a more rewarding storytelling process.

POST-PRODUCTION CONSULTATION AND FOLLOW-UP SERVICES

We are committed to supporting filmmakers and media industry players by providing comprehensive post-production services and follow-up assistance. Our team of experienced professionals works collaboratively with clients to ensure that all aspects of the post-production process, from editing to sound design, meet the highest standards. We understand the importance of timely and effective support, which is why we offer tailored follow-up assistance to address any project needs that may arise after the initial production phase. Our goal is to help bring creative visions to life while ensuring a seamless experience for our clients throughout the entire filmmaking journey.

WHERE WE WORK

Soviet Tours is your one-stop shop for in-country media production services and location management for the entire former Eastern Bloc and a cherry-picked selection of little-travelled destinations in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. We help you in every stage of developing and producing your story, sharing our ideas and suggestions to bring your project to life.

Contact us to learn more about our media services.