CTICC virtual site inspections make life easy for location scoping

The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) is using virtual tour software to host site inspections for location managers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has limited travel for many filmmakers over the last year while government restrictions demand minimal physical interaction.

In many cases, this has required innovation in order to undertake recces or location scouting.

The CTICC has fully embraced the new normal when it comes to location scoping.

“Our 3D virtual tour experience allows clients to view our conference centre in high-resolution and imagery to showcase the very best of the CTICC,” says CTICC General Manager for Commercial and Business Development Robert Hatton-Jones.

“The film industry has responded positively to the virtual tour as it allows for early earmarking of sites for location scouting in the earlier stages of their projects. There remains nothing like experiencing a space in person, as clients still enjoy physically (experiencing) our venues.”

COVID-19 impact and recovery

The CTICC’s exploration of technology is a response to a pandemic that caused a decline in the number of bookings for shoots at the 140 000m² facility.

It has seen a 50 percent drop in film shoot bookings in 2020. So far, there are 11 productions scheduled to take place at the CTICC this year.

This has been a source of optimism for management at the convention centre – which has been awarded the Safe Travels Stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

“The current circumstances will improve and bring with it an increase in film location bookings, especially from international productions. We are fortunate that our clients have remained in contact with us and continued to show an interest in booking our venue spaces,” adds Hatton-Jones.

He says despite the pandemic, they will continue working to remain one of Cape Town’s most versatile locations.

Versatile film location

The CTICC’s ability to transform for any shoot scenario has made it one of the sought-after locations in the Mother City.

It has doubled as an airport, a train station, office building and a hotel.

Additional, shoots there have also included restaurant, escalator and ballroom scenes.

“The CTICC offers a wide range of filming locations to choose from, providing the perfect backdrop to bring any story to life, from small independent films to big international blockbusters,” Hatton-Jones says about the facility’s adaptability.

“The Centre is surrounded by picturesque views of the city’s skyline, Harbour, Table Mountain and a variety of urban landscapes and various types of architecture – the perfect blank canvas for a director to create their vision.”

In an effort to promote the CTICC as a film location, its management co-hosts the Film Cape Town Annual Industry Engagement with the City of Cape Town and Wesgro.

The CTICC has featured in a number of productions including feature films, TV series and commercials over the years.

Bloodshot Film: 2018
The Maze runner: 2017

The Kissing booth: 1 – 2017, 2 & 3 – 2019
ICE Season 2, 2017
The Widow TV Series: 2018
Trackers TV Series: 2019
Escape room 2: 2019

Volvo: 2017
Saudi Airlines: 2017
BMW: 2020
MTown: 2018
Hotels.com: 2019
Colgate: 2019
Suzuki TV: 2019, 2020
LÓreal ‘The Sense of Purpose’: 2021
Toyota: 2019, 2021