Location Spotlight: Singapore

Stefano Pennisi is a New York City-based director and producer for Cycle Media. He specialises in producing a wide variety of content across all formats, including social media, digital, commercial, music videos, web series, event coverage, narrative and documentary. Stefano has worked with such brands as Netflix, Nike, AT&T, General Electric, Amazon, Hennessy, Meta, LG USA Mobile and UBS. His produced work has premiered at multiple film festivals, and he is also a co-founder and Executive Producer of the hit YouTube channel 'How To Drink.'

LBB> How would you pitch Singapore to any production companies looking to shoot in the region?

Stefano> For context: In 2019, I produced a branded web series in Singapore for Hennessy, featuring actor Henry Golding. The series was three short episodes, each focusing on a different part of Henry’s life: past, present and future.

Singapore is a beautiful country located right in the heart of Southeast Asia. The relatively small country acts as a central hub for travel to the rest of the region and features some of the most remarkable modern architecture in the world. That architecture embraces both nature and technological advancement, giving the country a unique vibe. Singapore is also a film-friendly country where permitted filming is made easy. 

LBB> What are the main qualities of the region?

Stefano> I cannot stress enough how the region is given character by its modern architecture, with stand-out locations like: Marina Bay Sands, Jewel Changi Airport, Supertrees At The Gardens By The Bay, The Park Royal hotel, Haji Lane and ATLAS

Another compelling quality of the country is its size. Singapore is extremely small and you can drive from one end of the country to the other in roughly 30 minutes; making filming in multiple locations significantly easier.. In addition, Singapore is a central hub to the rest of Southeast Asia, with frequent cheap flights to other countries in the region. This is beneficial when you need to fly-in nearby crew, or hop over to a nearby country for additional shoot locations – especially if you’re trying to capture all the varied, beautiful exterior locations Southeast Asia offers. 

The local hires are more than qualified to pull off all types of productions. Everyone we worked with was hard-working, capable, and well experienced in the world of production. More notable positions were the local coordinators and GE teams. World class talent brings out the storytelling potential in the striking locale.

LBB> What would you say are the top locations in Singapore? What is available - from mountains, to beaches, to rocky shore, to architecture, etc.

Stefano> Various architectural masterpieces comprise the top shooting locations in Singapore. As such, the country can be your gorgeous metropolis centrepiece for a contrasting, urban setting. So whether you’re a sparkling water brand that needs a high class dining setting, an automotive brand that needs a fast-paced race track for some tropical, urban street shots (Singapore has an F1 track) or an alcohol brand showing off the eye-catching luxury world of one of the most modern cities in Asia, Singapore is the place for you. 

LBB> What location would you say is most popular in Singapore?

Stefano> The most popular location in Singapore is likely the Marina Bay Sands, which is a massive luxury waterfront hotel with the world's largest rooftop infinity pool – ideal if your storytelling gives the opportunity to show off living the most lavish lifestyle imaginable

Another contender is the Supertrees At The Gardens At The Bay, which is a garden with massive vertical gardens designed like trees that glow in the dark. The experience looks like something right out of a science-fiction film.

LBB> Which location would you describe as the biggest attribute to local production?

Stefano> While I can’t pinpoint one singular location, I’d consider the park and garden region Gardens By The By as the most central location with the most iconic locations closely surrounding it. 

LBB> Explain the climate and the best/worst times to shoot in Singapore?

Stefano> Singapore is close to the equator so the climate is extremely hot, sunny, and tropical most of the year. The weather really breaks down into roughly two seasons. The 'dry' season ( March to August) is considerably less humid, and the ideal time to film. The 'wet' season (November to January) might not be as comfortable, depending on the nature of the project.

LBB> What specific work permits/Visas are required to shoot in Singapore?

Stefano> You don’t need tourist or business visas when visiting Singapore for up to 90 days; but after that, you will need to apply for a working visa. While Singapore is a fairly film-friendly country, you will need to apply for filming permits when filming in some popular and public locations. 

I highly recommend hiring a local fixer or production company to partner with when filming in Singapore as they will have all the necessary resources to make your production operate as smoothly as possible as well as help with permits and interacting with local authorities. We partnered with eyedid.it / and they were great partners. 

Because of Singapore’s size, a lot of these production companies are actually located in nearby countries that offer services in Singapore. Make sure you’re extra careful when you are vetting these fixers and production companies, as some companies did not provide the services they publicly presented – especially if their main office is not actually based in Singapore. As with any location you’re unfamiliar with, definitely do the research and vet your people to ensure you are in the most capable hands locally to get the job done.

LBB> How is the infrastructure in Singapore for supporting large productions? 

Stefano> The country is home to a supportive production industry with rental houses offering the most up-to-date equipment and gear. But the small industry’s supplies are limited. I would recommend locking in and putting equipment on hold as early as possible. 

Another option is flying in additional equipment from other neighbouring countries that have a bigger film industry like Thailand. When we filmed in Singapore, our cinematographer was an American who had been living in Thailand for 10 years and flew in to meet us. It was great to work with him because he had become 'local' to the region, though he was more established in Thailand’s larger film industry

LBB> What have been your biggest/most successful production in Singapore to date? 

Stefano> The first episode of the Hennessey web series focused on Henry Golding's past and was filmed all over Singapore. It was a two-day shoot, captured in multiple interior/exterior locations per day. We flew out a week early to properly location-scout and permit, and we were able to hit so many locations in a day. 

Some stand-out locations included the presidential suite at the Royal Palms Hotel (they had just filmed Westworld season three in that same suite a few weeks earlier) and the Jewel Changi Airport. Security checked in on us and our permits multiple times at the airport but they were helpful in the process. It is important to prepare the proper paperwork in advance. Unrelated, but the airport also had robot traffic security guards that rolled around and filmed everyone. It felt very futuristic. 

LBB> As an outsider, what would you say are the biggest Dos and Don’ts in the region?

Stefano> Generally speaking, Singapore is a very strict country – so make sure you do some proper research on what is allowed and acceptable in their culture. For context, littering is considered a serious crime. Be on your most thoughtful behaviour and treat everyone and every location with respect. Singapore is not a dry country, but they take too much alcohol consumption seriously – so relative to the nature of your project, keep that in mind as well. 

LBB> What would be your number one tip to any coming to Singapore to shoot a campaign/film?

Stefano> Do the proper research and hire a local fixer and/or production company to help you with your production. Singapore is a beautiful, film-friendly country and I highly recommend filming there – but it’s small and resources are limited. The majority of the country is built up, so you will be filming mostly in populated areas and will need help with permitting, parking and transportation. 

LBB> Where would you suggest a foreign production stay while they are in Singapore? 

Stefano> There are endless beautiful hotels to stay in when in Singapore, so I highly recommend thorough research for the right selection. We stayed at the Andaz which had an infinity pool on the 25th floor plus a rooftop bar on the top of the building with sweeping views of the city. The Marina Bay Sands is iconic and central, and the ParkRoyal is another famous hotel known for its architecture. 

For a more unique, cost-effective experience, look into the Yotel Air hotel right in the Jewel Changi Airport. The location places you next to the world's biggest indoor waterfall and while the rooms are small, the feel like something out of a sci-fi film. 

LBB> Where are the best bars/restaurants? Any hidden gems you could suggest?

Stefano> Check out the ATLAS bar. Amazing cocktails and this picture should say enough. 

LBB> Any other tourist recommendations?        

Stefano> I’ve mentioned it before, but you have to check out the indoor waterfall at the Jewel Changi International Airport. It’s the world's largest indoor waterfall. It uses 100% recycled rain water and is home to over 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs. It’s massive and can take over 45 minutes to hike through its trails. (Fun fact: Aviation rankings organisation Skytrax released its best airports of 2023, and Singapore Changi Airport tops the list for the 12th time.)

Between the futuristic architecture, blending of diverse cultures, beautiful weather, and close proximity to other Southeast Asian countries, Singapore is easily one of my favourite locations for filming. 10/10, would recommend.