In the rush of production deadlines, sending your own team abroad can feel like the safe choice. But before booking flights and hotels, pause and ask yourself these five questions:
- Is there qualified local talent?
Chances are, there are experienced freelancers already on the ground. Often with skills, networks, and cultural knowledge your team can’t match even if they flew to the location. - What’s the real cost of travel?
Flights, hotels, per diems, ground transport. Add them up, and compare with a fair local rate. You’ll often save thousands. - How much time do we lose in transit?
A local freelancer can start filming or interviewing at an instant. Your crew may still be in the air. - Could collaboration be richer?
Local professionals bring context, contacts, and nuance that outsiders often miss. Together, you create stronger, more authentic stories. - What’s the environmental footprint?
Every long-haul flight avoided means tonnes of CO₂ saved. Hiring locally makes your production greener – and easier to defend in sustainability reporting.
Next time the instinct is to fly, run through this checklist. You might find the smarter, faster, and more sustainable answer is already waiting at your destination.
