Fam Tour Costa Rica

COSTA RICA FAM TRIP, JUNE 2009
Story By Barbara Miller

The Fam tour in Costa Rica began with an expo-like Summit, sponsored by Procomer, the foreign trade corporation of Costa Rica.  We met local production people in one-on-one meetings, getting to know them, their companies, and the filming infrastructure in Costa Rica.  When we  toured locations, we were already acquainted with our hosts and accompanying production professionals.  At the Summit, Bill Bowling gave a presentation on filming incentives.  Other participants in the Summit were in the fields of medicine, architecture and IT. 

Bill Doyle, Scott Trimble, Laura Sode-Matteson, Steve Dayan, Marie Healy, Bill Bowling, Barbara Miller, John Smart, Brian O'Neill, Chris Baugh, Geoff Juckes - the entire LA contingent at the Procomer Summit.

While in the capital San Jose, we visited downtown, went to an opening of a photo exhibit, and sampled local cuisine and nightlife.  It was during these evenings that we were able to hear 399 Business Agent Steve Dayan speak fluent Spanish.  Presidential primaries were held while we were in San Jose.  In 2010, Laura Chinchilla, the sister of a very talented local producer, will become Costa Rica's first woman to run for President.

Our Fam tour leader was the tireless and charming Marisol Ibarra, who is now the Director of Procomer in Los Angeles.  Gina Guillen, Assistant Minister of Tourism, a globetrotter in her own right, helped with logistics. In addition to Marisol and her staff, the ten Los Angeles based location managers, a New York producer, director, and scout, we had the pleasure of traveling with five Costa Rican and two Guatemalan production professionals (producers, directors, and production managers), and a medical tourism lawyer from Tulsa.  LMGA member participants were Chris Baugh, Bill Bowling, Bill Doyle, Marie Healy, Laura Sode-Matteson, Barbara Miller, and Scott Trimble.

Trip Leader Marisol Ibarra  Photo: Miller Manuel Antonio National Park  Photo:  Trimble
Punta Leona   Photo: Miller Monkey in Manuel Antonio Photo: David Graham

We toured waterfalls in a tropical cloud forest setting at El Silencio, a private eco sanctuary, the scenic Arenal Volcano, and nearby Tabacon Hot Springs, where we all enjoyed great hot soaks after a long day.  We visited the Hanging Bridges,  suspension bridges and trails through the rain forest, getting drenched in an afternoon downpour.

We saw more accessible jungle looks around Punta Leona.  We visited the beaches at Punta Leona, Hermosa and Manuel Antonio National Park.  We visited Villa Caletas, a lovely small hotel perched high on a hill with stunning views of the coast far below on several sides.  But perhaps one of our favorite locations was the coastal town of Puntarenas, as it has lots of colorful texture and was grittier than the other locations we saw.  The Caribbean coast is also quite popular for filming; but it’s another journey to look forward to in the future.  
Tabacon  Photo: B. Miller Puntarenas  Photo: B. Miller
 On the Road  Photo:  Miller
El Silencio   Photo: Trimble


Thank you also to Karen Watts of Shoot Latin America, for pre-trip coordination, to Jorge Zamora of Procomer, and to Laura Pacheco Oreamuno, Vice Minister of Culture. Special thanks also to the production tour members from Costa Rica:  Mario Araya, Victor Barriga, Brian Bonilla, Gabriel Gomez and Luis Naguil.

Costa Rica is currently working on developing an incentive scheme for the filming industry.  Meanwhile, you will find excellent production support at a fraction of the cost in the U.S, as well as very good infrastructure and a safe and transparent atmosphere for the film industry.

For more information, contact:
Marisol Ibarra, Director
Procomer, Los Angeles
  (310) 242-5581
mibarra@procomer.com