🇲🇽 TIJUANA & BAJA: THE BINATIONAL FRONTIER

Expand your visual palette with authentic Mexican culture, gritty urban aesthetics, and world-class production facilities just 20 minutes from downtown San Diego.

🎥 Why Shoot in Tijuana?

  • Aesthetic Diversity: From the neon-soaked nightlife of Avenida Revolución to the modern skyscrapers of Zona Río and the sprawling industrial “Maquiladora” districts.
  • Economic Advantage: Production costs for labor, catering, and construction in Mexico are significantly lower, stretching your budget further.
  • The “Baja Studios” Legacy: Located just south in Rosarito, this is the home of the world’s largest filming tanks (Titanic, Master and Commander).

🛂 1. CROSS-BORDER LOGISTICS & PERMITS

Filming in Mexico as a US-based production requires specific paperwork to ensure your equipment and crew don’t get stuck at the border.

  • Baja California Film Commission: Your primary “One-Stop” resource for local permits and liaison services.
  • ATA Carnet: Mandatory for all professional equipment (cameras, drones, lighting). This “Equipment Passport” allows you to move gear across the border tax-free.
  • Visas: For most US/EU crews stay for <180 days for “non-remunerated” work (paid by a US company), a standard FMM (Tourist Card) is often sufficient, but always verify with the consulate for commercial shoots.

🚛 2. TRANSPORTATION & EQUIPMENT

  • Customs Brokers: Never “wing it” at the Otay Mesa or San Ysidro crossings with a van full of gear. Use a bonded logistics partner.
  • Local Gear Rental: Avoid the carnet headache by renting high-end gear directly in Mexico.
    • VistaMotion Productions: Full cinema packages and local “fixers.” Website

🛡️ 3. SAFETY & SECURITY

The #1 concern for out-of-town producers is safety. Proactive planning makes Tijuana as safe as any other major metropolitan production hub.

  • Secure Transportation: Always book “Executive Protection” or secure shuttles for talent and key crew. Do not rely on standard rideshares for high-value teams.
    • ETS Risk Management: Specialists in armored/non-armored secure transport in Tijuana. Website
  • Set Security: Professional “Set Guards” (unarmed or armed depending on the zone) are standard practice for all international productions in Baja.

💡 The Agency “Binational” Tip:

“The Cross Border Xpress (CBX) is a game-changer for talent. If you have models flying in from Mexico City or Bogota, they can land at Tijuana International (TIJ) and walk across the private pedestrian bridge directly into San Diego. It’s faster and more private than clearing customs at SAN.”