SCENE 01 / LOCATION SCOUTING SERVICES
Location Scouting Services
Find perfect filming locations across Saudi Arabia—from Riyadh to Jeddah and beyond.
The right location can make or break a production. So we built a team of skilled scouts. They know Saudi Arabia inside and out—from the modern skyline of Riyadh to the ancient Nabataean tombs of AlUla. We handle it all: site research, logistics checks, permit forms. You tell us what you want, and we find it.
Over the years, we built a database of more than 5,000 locations across the Kingdom. But we don't just hand you a list and wish you luck. Our scouts go on the ground. They check each site to make sure it fits your needs. That might be the UNESCO-listed Hegra ruins for a historical epic. It might be the futuristic NEOM sites for a sci-fi commercial.
Our network sets us apart. We spent years building ties with property owners and government bodies. These include the Saudi Film Commission (SFC) and the Royal Commission for AlUla. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has opened the country to global shoots. We have been here from the start of that change.
Our Location Scouting Services
The right location can make or break a production. So we built a team of skilled scouts. They know Saudi Arabia inside and out—from the modern skyline of Riyadh to the ancient Nabataean tombs of AlUla. We handle it all: site research, logistics checks, permit forms. You tell us what you want, and we find it.
Over the years, we built a database of more than 5,000 locations across the Kingdom. But we don't just hand you a list and wish you luck. Our scouts go on the ground. They check each site to make sure it fits your needs. That might be the UNESCO-listed Hegra ruins for a historical epic. It might be the futuristic NEOM sites for a sci-fi commercial.
Our network sets us apart. We spent years building ties with property owners and government bodies. These include the Saudi Film Commission (SFC) and the Royal Commission for AlUla. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has opened the country to global shoots. We have been here from the start of that change.
Comprehensive Location Scouting Solutions
Our scouts know Saudi Arabia well. They know its varied landscapes, cities, and cultural sites. We offer pro location services from first scout to shoot-day support. We cover permits and logistics too.
Urban Locations
- • Modern cityscapes
- • Historic districts
- • Commercial areas
- • Residential neighborhoods
- • Industrial zones
Natural Landscapes
- • Coastal beaches
- • Mountain regions
- • Vineyard settings
- • Forest locations
- • River systems
Cultural Sites
- • Historic chateaux
- • Medieval architecture
- • Traditional villages
- • Museums
- • Heritage locations
Production Facilities
- • Studio spaces
- • Controlled environments
- • Green screen facilities
- • Equipment storage
- • Crew facilities
How We Work With You
We work with productions in a simple way. You tell us what you want, and we go find it. We handle every headache in between: permits, deals, logistics. By the time you show up to shoot, it's all ready.
Requirements Analysis
First, we sit down with you. We learn exactly what you're after. We go through your script and look at reference images. We talk about budget limits. We pin down the visual style you want. No detail is too small at this stage.
Research & Reconnaissance
Once we know what you need, our scouts get to work. They pull site options from the database. Then they inspect each location in person. They shoot photos from many angles. They note all the key details too: power supply, parking space, site conditions, and daylight patterns.
Presentation & Selection
We build a detailed presentation for each shortlisted location. You get pro photos and logistics breakdowns. You also get rough costs and a note on the permits we need. Most clients find just what they want in the first round.
Coordination & Securing
Once you've made your choice, we handle the rest. We agree fees with property owners. We set up access times and manage contracts. We secure all the permits you need. By the time your crew arrives, it's all sorted and ready to go.
You get one point of contact the whole way through. They know your project. They give you straight answers when things change. And things always change.
What We Bring to the Table
We bring years of on-the-ground work across Saudi Arabia. We built our database from scratch. We hold the kind of local ties that take time to grow.
Our Resources
5,000+ Locations On File
We have built this database for years. Every entry has photos and GPS coordinates. It has notes on access and power. It also has the time of year that works best. It's not just a list—it's deep know-how.
On-Site Technical Surveys
Before we suggest a site, we check it ourselves. We look at power capacity and truck access. We look at parking and ambient noise. These are the things that matter when you try to shoot there.
Permit Handling
Saudi red tape can be tough. We deal with the permit forms and the property releases. We handle the back-and-forth with local officials. You shouldn't have to.
Scouting Statistics
Why Choose Fixers in Saudi Arabia for Location Scouting
Local Expertise
Our scouts grew up in this region. They know the rural paths that lead to hidden gardens and tucked-away towns. Most visitors never find these spots. Our local knowledge lets us offer sites you won't see in any other production's portfolio.
Complete Documentation
Each location report we deliver is thorough. You can hand it straight to your line producer. The report has tech specs, permit needs, and access routes. It also lists nearby facilities. It's all there, neat and ready to use.
Rapid Response
Sometimes plans change at the last minute. We get it. So we give a 48-hour turnaround on location reports. We also run rush scouting when you need to pivot fast during production.
Cultural Heritage Access
Getting leave to film at UNESCO sites, historic chateaux, or national monuments isn't easy. But we've done it dozens of times. We know the application steps and the right contacts. We know how to pitch your project so it gets approved.
On Location
Saudi location scouting covers AlUla / Hegra Nabataean tombs, NEOM coastal flats and Sindalah island, Riyadh modern CBD, Diriyah heritage, Edge of the World cliffs, Empty Quarter dunes, Asir highland villages, Red Sea coast and Farasan Islands — across mainland Saudi Film Commission, Film AlUla / RCU, and NEOM authority jurisdictions
Saudi scouting draws on a visual range wider than any other MENA country. By film-use to date, it is arguably one of the deepest in the world. Our scouts cover AlUla (Hegra / Madain Salih Nabataean tombs UNESCO 2008 — visual cousin to Petra in Jordan. Elephant Rock. Maraya mirrored concert hall. Dadan and Ikmah pre-Islamic sites. AlUla Old Town mud-brick), Diriyah Al-Turaif UNESCO 2010 (the birthplace of the first Saudi state, mud-brick palace district), and Historic Jeddah Al-Balad UNESCO 2014 (Hejazi rawashin wooden-lattice port build style). We also cover Riyadh CBD (Kingdom Centre Tower, Al Faisaliah, King Abdullah Financial District), the Empty Quarter / Rub' al Khali (largest sand desert in the world, bigger than Wadi Rum Jordan or the Sahara), and Edge of the World / Jebel Fihrayn (90+ minute drive from Riyadh, sheer cliff drop into desert). And we cover the Asir Mountains and Abha highlands (5-10°C winter nights, a cool option versus the summer lowlands), the Red Sea coast and Farasan Islands (coral reef, dolphin populations, traditional fishing villages), and NEOM coastal flats with Sindalah luxury island.
Scouting passes follow separate clearance and access steps by jurisdiction. AlUla scouting is set up through Film AlUla under the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). RCU controls access to Hegra UNESCO sites and manages 4x4 unit moves. It also grants drone clearance, apart from GACA's mainland Kingdom permit. NEOM scouting sits inside the NEOM authority. NDAs cover The Line corridor, Trojena, and Bajdah Studios. Mainland Kingdom scouting runs under the Saudi Film Commission. It needs Ministry of Culture planning for any UNESCO site work. It needs Saudi Geological Survey planning for the Empty Quarter and covered desert zones. Drone scouting is GACA-licensed. Airspace sign-off is separate for AlUla, NEOM, and the Mecca off-limits zone. Our scouts time passes to October-April (mild 15-30°C daytime, the ideal shoot window). We avoid the sandstorm (haboob) season in March-May for clear-sky reference. We also brief shoots on prayer-time access for religious-adjacent sites. The Two Holy Mosques (Mecca and Medina) are off-limits to non-Muslims and not scoutable.
FAQ
Location Scouting FAQ
Essential information for planning your location scouting project in Saudi Arabia.
How long does location scouting take in Saudi Arabia?
It depends on what you want. For a simple commercial shoot, we can often turn around options in 2-3 days. Feature films usually need 1-2 weeks of focused scouting to cover all the scenes. Documentaries fall in between, often 3-7 days. And if you're in a bind, we give rush scouting with 24-48 hour delivery.
What permits are required for filming at Saudi locations?
The permits you need depend on your shoot site and its size. Local authorities require a filming permit for all public areas. Owners of private sites must give release forms. Historic monuments and UNESCO sites have their own process through cultural affairs offices. We handle all of this for you. It's one of the main reasons shoots hire us.
What are typical location scouting costs in Saudi Arabia?
Basic day-rate scouting runs between $300 and $500 per day. We also give full packages. These cover many sites, plus records support and permit help. Those run $1,500-$6,000 based on scope. Remote sites add to the cost. Figure $800-$2,500 per day for mountain or rural scouting. Permit fees themselves range from $150 to $1,500 based on the site.
Can you scout locations in remote areas of Saudi Arabia?
Yes. We have several favorite spots well off the tourist trail. We often scout in the Asir Mountains and along the Hejaz coast. We also work across the rural Asir Region. Our team runs access reviews for far-flung sites. We handle gear moves and find good housing for crew working in the area.
How many location options will we receive?
For each scene or setup you need, we usually present 3-5 vetted options. These aren't random picks. We check each one for logistics, permit availability, and budget fit. We'd rather give you fewer, better options than flood you with places that won't work.
What documentation do you provide for each location?
Each location package holds many high-resolution photos from different angles. It also has tech survey data on power setup, access points, and facilities. Plus logistics notes: parking, service spots, and site limits. For complex sites, we add site maps. We also suggest shooting positions based on the light.
Related Services
Productions in Saudi Arabia that need this often pair it with Local Fixer Services, Production Budgeting Services, and Production Scheduling Services for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Pre-Production Services and Travel Coordinator.
On Set
Ready to Discover Perfect Locations?
Let's find the backdrop your project deserves. Get in touch and tell us what you want. We'll take it from there.