Your fixer will shape every day of your shoot in Bangladesh. A good one opens doors, keeps you legal and protects your schedule. A weak one costs you days you can't get back. Here is how to choose well.
1. Understand what a fixer does
A fixer is a local producer. They research the story, find contributors and locations, guide you through permissions, arrange transport and accommodation, translate, and solve problems on set. A driver or a friendly local contact is not the same thing — the skill is in relationships, planning and judgement.
2. Questions to ask before hiring
- What similar productions have you supported? Can I see work or speak to a previous client?
- Which permissions will my story and locations need, and how long will they take?
- Who will actually be on set with us every day?
- What is included in your day rate, and what is billed separately?
- Can you provide drone footage, a local camera operator or a sound recordist?
- How do you handle consent, children, and sensitive topics?
- How do we communicate during pre-production — email, WhatsApp, video calls?
3. Red flags
- Promises that permits are "guaranteed" or "not needed" for a professional foreign crew.
- No written quotation or unclear inclusions.
- Large upfront payments without written terms.
- Slow or vague answers during planning — it usually gets worse on location.
4. Write a brief that gets an accurate quote
The more specific your brief, the more accurate the plan. Include:
- A short synopsis and the kind of story (documentary, news, brand, travel).
- Dates, number of shooting days and crew size.
- Locations or types of locations.
- Contributors you need (e.g. a fisherman, a garment worker, a tea picker).
- Equipment you are bringing, and anything you need locally — including drone.
- Budget level: independent, mid-range or broadcast.
5. Plan the timeline backwards
Start from your first shooting day and count back: filming permission and media visas can take several weeks, and some locations need extra approvals. Contacting a fixer six weeks out is comfortable; two weeks out is a scramble.
Dhaka-based film fixer, authorised drone operator and creator of the YouTube channel Sakil The Traveler.