Staying Secure and Healthy: A Safety Guide for Film Crews in Egypt

A successful production is a safe production. Egypt is a magnificent filming destination, but like any foreign country, it presents unique health and security considerations that must be proactively managed. For a producer or unit production manager, the well-being of your crew is the top priority.

This guide provides a practical framework for keeping your international and local team secure, healthy, and focused on the creative work, not potential hazards.

Part 1: Security on the Ground - Proactive Measures

Pre-Production Planning & Intelligence

• Register with Your Embassy: Upon arrival, we can assist key crew members in registering with their respective embassies in Cairo. This ensures you receive critical security updates.

• Professional Risk Assessment: Before location scouting, we provide a current assessment of the areas you're considering. While major tourist and filming areas are generally secure, travel to certain border regions (like the Libya border or North Sinai) is strictly off-limits.

• Itinerary Sharing: Always share your daily shooting itinerary and crew manifests with us and your home office. In the event of an emergency, everyone knows your planned location.

On-Location Security Protocols

• The Role of Tourism Police & Security Escorts: For most remote desert shoots or high-profile locations, the Egyptian Ministry of Interior will mandate a Tourism Police escort. This is not an intrusion but a vital security layer. We handle all coordination and view them as part of the team.

• Crowd Control: In bustling urban areas like Cairo or Luxor, a film crew can attract a crowd. Our local team, including your Assistant Director and Location Manager, is trained in managing onlookers calmly and effectively to prevent situations from escalating.

• Asset Protection:

  • Equipment: Never leave valuable equipment unattended in a vehicle. Use locked storage or have a dedicated crew member watch over gear during moves.

  • Personal Belongings: Advise crew to use hotel safes for passports, excess cash, and expensive personal items. Be mindful of wallets and phones in very crowded areas.

Part 2: Health & Well-Being - Preventing Illness and Injury

Food and Water: Avoiding "Pharaoh's Revenge"

This is the most common health issue for visitors and can shut down a crew member for days.

• Water: Only drink bottled or properly filtered water. Avoid ice in drinks unless you are certain it was made from purified water. Use bottled water for brushing teeth.

• Food Safety:

  • Peel it, boil it, cook it, or forget it: This is a good rule of thumb. Enjoy fresh fruit you can peel (oranges, bananas) and avoid pre-cut fruit salads.

  • Street Food: Be selective. Choose vendors that are busy with a high turnover of food, meaning it's fresh and hot.

  • Dining: We recommend reputable restaurants and can arrange reliable catering for your crew that adheres to high hygiene standards.

The Environment: Sun, Sand, and Hydration

• Sun Exposure: The Egyptian sun is intense.

  • Sunblock & Hats: High-SPF sunblock, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-protection sunglasses are mandatory on set.

  • Hydration: Encourage crew to drink water constantly, not just when they feel thirsty. Electrolyte powders can be a lifesaver.

• Desert-Specific Hazards:

  • Extreme Temperatures: Days can be scorching, while nights can be freezing. Crew must have appropriate clothing layers.

  • Sand & Equipment: Protect camera sensors and gear from fine sand with airtight cases and regular cleaning. We can recommend local rental houses that provide protective gear.

Medical Preparedness

• Travel Insurance: Non-negotiable. Every single crew member must have comprehensive international health and medical evacuation insurance. Verify this before they travel.

• On-Set Medics: For large or remote crews, we strongly recommend hiring a qualified on-set medic or paramedic. For smaller crews, we identify the nearest quality medical facility to every location.

  • Hospitals: We will provide you with a list of vetted, high-standard private hospitals in Cairo, Luxor, and other major cities that are accustomed to dealing with international patients.

• Crew Medical Kit: Beyond a standard first-aid kit, ensure it includes rehydration salts, anti-diarrheal medication, antiseptic wipes, and any specific prescription medications crew members require.

Part 3: Cultural Sensitivity as a Security Measure

Respecting local customs is not just polite; it's a key part of staying secure.

• Dress Modestly: Outside of resort areas, advise crew to dress conservatively (covering shoulders and knees), especially when visiting mosques or rural communities. This minimizes unwanted attention and shows respect.

• Photography Etiquette: Always ask permission before photographing or filming people, especially police, military personnel, or women. Our team can help facilitate this communication.

• Political Discourse: Avoid engaging in public discussions or criticism of Egyptian politics, religion, or the military.

The Egy-Docs Difference: Your Integrated Safety Net

We don't just list hazards; we build a proactive safety infrastructure around your production.

When you partner with Egy-Docs.com, you get:

• Pre-Arrival Safety Briefing: We provide a customized document for your crew covering location-specific risks, cultural norms, and emergency contacts.

• Vetted Logistics: We ensure your transportation providers are safe, your accommodation is secure, and your catering is hygienic.

• 24/7 On-Call Support: If a crew member falls ill or there is a security concern, you have a local number to call that can navigate the language, medical, and bureaucratic systems instantly.

• Professional Liaison: We manage all necessary relationships with security escorts and local authorities, ensuring they are assets to your production's safety plan.

Your crew's safety is the foundation of everything we do. A secure crew is a productive crew.

Let us handle the risks, so you can focus on the shots.

Contact Egy-Docs.com for a Customized Production Safety Plan – Provide us with your shooting schedule and locations, and we will deliver a detailed safety and security assessment.