TV Production Service Berlin: We Produce Your Story for International Broadcasters

You have a story set in Berlin, Brandenburg or somewhere else in Germany. We produce it – from first research to broadcast-ready delivery, without you needing to leave your desk. Basiliscus Film is an independent TV production company based in Berlin with over 20 years of experience in broadcast journalism. We have produced reports, reportages, documentaries and TV series for ARD, ZDF, Deutsche Welle and numerous other German and international broadcasters.

Our background is editorial, not just technical. We are journalists who film – not camera operators who occasionally ask questions. That means we understand story structure, know how to conduct an interview that delivers usable answers, and can develop a narrative arc from a raw research brief. We work in English, French and German at all levels of the production.

TV Production Service or Camera Crew for Hire – What is the Difference?

We offer two distinct services for international productions in Berlin. Understanding which one fits your project will save you time.

	TV Production Service	Camera Crew for Hire
Who leads editorially?	Basiliscus Film – we research, structure and deliver the complete story.	You – you bring your director, journalist or script.
What do you provide?	A brief: topic, length, format, broadcast date, delivery specs.	Your editorial team. We provide camera, sound and light.
Research & protagonists?	We find them, contact them, schedule and conduct the interviews.	You organise. We arrive and film.
Filming permits?	We handle everything, included in the production package.	On request, as an add-on service.
Editing?	Included – rough cut approval, fine cut, broadcast master delivery.	Raw rushes or simple assembly cut on request.
Typical client	Foreign broadcaster, documentary producer, streaming platform.	Interview shoot, event coverage, trade fair, B-roll.
Typical format	Magazine report, reportage, documentary, news package.	Interview shoot, event coverage, trade fair, B-roll.

Go to	TV Production Service	Camera Crew for Hire

TV Formats We Produce in Berlin

From a tight two-minute news package to a feature-length documentary – we work across the full spectrum of factual television formats. Here is what we produce, and what you can expect from each.

TV magazine

Length: 3 to 6 minutes

The magazine report is our most requested format for foreign broadcasters. It is fast, focused and highly producible from a distance.

You brief us with the topic, the angle and the target audience. We research, find the right protagonist, organise the location, film and deliver a finished package in your house style.

We have learned to develop a clear dramaturgy in just a few minutes – to tell a story with a beginning, a turning point and a conclusion, while remaining factual, objective and journalistically rigorous. In the words of Wolf Schneider, long-time director of the Henri Nannen School of Journalism: "Quality comes from agony" – we take that seriously.

Best suited for: politics, culture, society, food, travel, lifestyle, business and human interest topics in a Berlin context.

VIDEO EXAMPLE

Contract manufacturing

Magazinbeitrag über den polnischen Sternekoch Modest Amaro für ein deutsches Lifestyle-Fernsehmagazin

TV Reportage

Length: 15 to 60 minutes

A reportage is emotional, close and personal. It mixes the subjective perspective of the filmmaker with well-researched facts and allows the viewer to become an eyewitness to a reality depicted on film. The reportage requires time – time on location, time with protagonists, time to follow a story as it develops.

We love the reportage format because it demands genuine curiosity and allows us to immerse ourselves in another world.

We bring that commitment to every story we take on – whether it is a personal human interest piece or a politically charged investigation into Berlin life.

VIDEO EXAMPLE

Contract manufacturing

Excerpt from the 37 Grad Leben report ‘Let it flow – living in tune with your cycle’

Documentary

Length: 45 to 90 minutes

The documentary is the supreme discipline of factual television. It contextualises a topic in a larger framework, weaves together interviews, archive material, observational footage and a strong editorial point of view. It demands thorough research, precise structure and a clear authorial vision.

We have been producing documentaries since the early days of Basiliscus Film. Our approach treats the documentary not as a collection of talking heads, but as a piece of cinema – with a visual concept, a dramatic structure and a clear editorial voice. We can produce full documentaries for your network or contribute a Berlin chapter to a larger co-production.

VIDEO EXAMPLE

In-house production

45-minute documentary film on the subject of collecting. Three different ‘collectors’ give us an insight into their everyday lives as collectors.

TV series

Length up to 60 minutes

A series gives a recurring concept a consistent visual identity across multiple episodes. We develop and produce non-fictional TV series for information and factual programmes – from a fully conceived format to execution of your existing editorial brief in Berlin.

Our ten-part series »Masterpieces Revisited« for Deutsche Welle is an example of how we approach the format: a clear overarching question, a visual language developed with the broadcaster, and the discipline to keep each episode fresh within a consistent framework. We are happy to share the series bible and visual references on request.

We also consider cross-media distribution from the development stage – how a series works on linear television, streaming and social media simultaneously.

VIDEO EXAMPLE

TV series – commissioned production

»Masterpieces Revisited« – a 10-part television series for Deutsche Welle in which we explored the question of how masterpieces achieve cult status.

Interview Shoot

Length: as long as it takes

You need a professional interview filmed in Berlin. We handle everything else. A well-filmed interview isn't just about clean sound and even lighting – it's a setup that puts the interviewee at ease, frames them in a way that reveals something of their personality, and produces answers that hold up in the edit, whether they run thirty seconds or three minutes.

We arrive early, light carefully and talk to the contributor before the camera rolls. If the location tells part of the story – a scientist's laboratory, a politician's office, a chef's kitchen – we use it.

We have been filming interviews in Berlin since 2001. For documentaries and factual programmes where the contributor speaks directly to camera, we use the Eyedirect system or a teleprompter. Rushes are delivered the same day in your preferred codec.

VIDEO EXAMPLE

Interview – Commissioned production

Video interview with the writer Sharon Dodua Otoo for the Goethe-Institut, Munich about her new book »Adas Raum«.

Our Production Workflow – From Your Brief to Broadcast

Commissioning a production partner you have never worked with before carries risk. We reduce that risk with a clear, transparent process – and by keeping you informed at every stage.

Step 1 – Briefing call (30 minutes, free of charge)

We discuss your topic, angle, target audience, preferred format and length, broadcast date, technical delivery requirements and budget framework. This call is free and carries no obligation. It gives us both the information we need to assess whether we are the right partner for your project.
Step 2 – Written proposal (within 24 hours)

You receive a written proposal including: scope of work, production schedule, crew and equipment, estimated number of shoot days, post-production approach, delivery format and a fixed or capped budget. No hidden fees.
Step 3 – Contract and deposit

Once agreed, we issue a contract and an invoice for the agreed deposit (typically 30–50% of the total fee). We are a German-registered company (GbR) with a full VAT registration number. We invoice in Euros and accept SEPA transfers, international SWIFT/IBAN payments and – on request – credit card.
Step 4 – Pre-production

We begin research, identify and contact protagonists, scout and confirm filming locations, apply for all required filming permits and prepare a detailed shoot schedule and call sheet. You are kept informed of progress and have sign-off on the protagonist selection and location plan before filming begins.
Step 5 – Shoot days in Berlin

We film to your brief, your format requirements and your broadcast standards. The shoot is managed entirely by us on location. If you wish to observe remotely, we can arrange a live feed or daily rushes review.
Step 6 – Rough cut for approval

For productions of reportage length and above, we deliver a rough cut for your editorial review before the fine cut. You provide notes; we incorporate them. This step is included in the production fee.
Step 7 – Fine cut and technical delivery

The final edit is delivered in your specified codec, resolution and audio configuration. We include a full-length version and – where applicable – a short version for digital platforms. All release forms and permit documentation are provided alongside the final delivery.
Step 8 – Archive and follow-up

We archive all raw material for a minimum of six months after delivery. If you need additional cuts, a social media version or supplementary B-roll at a later date, we can deliver from the existing archive without reshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions – TV Production in Berlin

Can your team produce a story completely independently – without us travelling to Berlin?

Yes. The majority of our international commissions are managed entirely remotely. We receive your brief by video call, manage pre-production and the shoot in Berlin, and deliver the finished package to your specifications. Many of our long-term clients have never visited Germany.

What do you need from us to get started?

A clear brief covering: the topic and editorial angle, the target audience and broadcaster, the required format and length, the broadcast or publication date, the technical delivery specifications (codec, resolution, aspect ratio, audio track layout), and your budget framework. A 30-minute briefing call is usually enough to cover all of this.

Do you develop story ideas yourselves, or only execute briefs from commissioners?

Both. We are happy to receive a finished editorial brief and execute it to your standards. We also develop original story ideas, research proposals and format concepts that we pitch to interested broadcasters. If you are looking for Berlin-based content ideas, we are open to a conversation.

Can you handle breaking news or short-notice assignments from Berlin?

Yes, for ENG-style news packages and stand-ups in Berlin. We can be on location within two to four hours for unplanned assignments, depending on location and permit requirements. Same-day file delivery is possible for straightforward news formats. Contact us directly by phone for time-critical requests: +49 (0)171 458 19 67.

How quickly do you respond to enquiries?

We respond to all project enquiries within one business day. For urgent or time-critical requests, call us directly – we answer during production hours (08:00–20:00 CET) and monitor messages for active productions outside those hours.

Which cameras do you shoot with and in what resolution?

Our primary cameras are the Sony FX6 (full frame) and the Sony FS7 (Super 35). Both are widely accepted by European and international broadcasters. We shoot in 4K UHD or Full HD 1080p as standard. Higher resolutions and alternative cameras are available on request. We deliver in the codec and resolution you specify.

What codecs and file formats can you deliver?

We deliver in all standard broadcast formats: XAVC-S, XAVC-I, ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 4444, H.264, H.265 and MXF. DNxHD is available via external video recorders. We adapt the frame rate and audio configuration to your broadcast standard – PAL 25p for deliveries to Europe, 30p for US formats and 24p for cinema-standard content.

How do you deliver the finished files?

Via our own server, which is connected to a high-speed internet connection. For large volumes of files (e.g. complete documentary film masters), we can arrange delivery via hard drive.

Aspera transfer is available on request. All files are scanned for viruses and accompanied by a delivery note confirming the codec, resolution, frame rate, duration and audio track structure.

Can we review the edit remotely before final delivery?

Yes. For productions of feature-length or longer, we upload a rough cut to our server or share a YouTube or Vimeo link for review before the final edit. You add time-coded comments; we respond to them and revise the edit within one working day. You do not need to come to Berlin for the edit.

Do you shoot with a drone?

Yes. We operate a licensed 4K drone in Berlin and Brandenburg. All drone operations require advance permits in Berlin, which we arrange as part of the production. Berlin has several no-fly zones; we identify suitable filming areas during the location research phase and advise on what is realistically achievable from the air.

Do you handle filming permits?

Yes. Permit management is included in all full production packages. We submit applications to the relevant Bezirksamt, the Film Commission Berlin-Brandenburg, BVG, private property owners and – where required – national authorities such as the Bundespresseamt. We advise on lead times: simple street permits typically require two to four weeks; complex locations or public space closures may need six to twelve weeks.

Do you obtain release forms from protagonists?

Yes. We obtain signed written consent from all protagonists who appear recognisably on camera. Release forms are provided in both German and English and cover the specified usage (broadcast, streaming, online) and territory. All original signed documents are included in the final delivery package.

Are you insured?

Yes. Basiliscus Film GbR carries professional indemnity and production liability insurance. We can provide a certificate of insurance for productions that require it – please request it in advance of the shoot.

How do you handle music and archive rights?

We use royalty-free production music libraries for all standard productions. Where you require a specific music track with existing rights, we advise on the clearance process.

Archive footage (photos, film clips, documents) is cleared through the relevant rights holder before inclusion in the edit. All licences are documented and handed over with the delivery package.

What does a TV production in Berlin cost?

Production costs vary depending on the length of the programme, the complexity of the research, the number of shooting days and post-production requirements. As a general guideline:

TV magazine feature (3–6 mins, one shooting day, standard edit): from approx. €2,500–4,500
TV feature (30–45 mins, two to four days of filming, full edit): approx. €10,000–25,000
Documentary film (45–90 mins, production lasting several weeks): on request, project-specific
ENG news report (1–3 mins, same-day production): from approx. €900–€1,800, depending on team size

All prices are exclusive of VAT. (For EU productions, the German VAT rate of 7% applies (we are an artistic GbR and pay only 7% instead of the usual 19%); for non-EU clients, the reverse charge mechanism applies). We will provide you with a detailed written quote within 24 hours of your briefing meeting. There are no hidden costs.

What is your payment structure?

For new clients, we typically invoice 40–50% on project confirmation and the balance on final delivery. For ongoing clients and recurring commissions, we agree a payment schedule that fits your accounting cycle.

We do not charge kill fees for projects cancelled before pre-production begins; a cancellation policy applies once pre-production costs have been incurred.

Broadcast References and Experience

We have been producing broadcast content since 2001. Our editorial and camera work has appeared on ZDF (37 Grad Leben documentary strand), Deutsche Welle (the ten-part series "Masterpieces Revisited"), and across a range of German public and private broadcasters, international clients and co-productions.

We are happy to share a full reference list, video samples and – where agreed by the broadcaster – the original broadcast links on request. Our portfolio covers the following content areas:

Politics and society in Berlin and Germany
Art, culture and the creative industries
Food, gastronomy and lifestyle
Science, environment and sustainability
Business, economics and the German corporate world
Human interest, personal stories and character-driven reportage

Why a Journalism Background Makes the Difference

Most camera crews will show you their equipment list. We would rather show you how we think.

Our team has its roots in broadcast journalism – not in camera operation that expanded into production. That distinction matters in practice:

We recognise the story within the brief. We know which question to ask the protagonist that will produce the answer you need in the edit.
We research independently. We can approach contributors, institutions and experts without editorial hand-holding from your desk.
We understand broadcast dramaturgy. We structure material so it works as a story, not just as a sequence of shots.
We know when something is not quite right – and we say so. Our editorial instinct is part of the service, not an interference.

Language, Rights and Legal Compliance

Working languages

We work in English, French and German at all levels: briefing, research, protagonist communication, on-set direction, permits, release forms and final delivery documentation. No interpreter needed. We communicate with German authorities, location managers and contributors in German – removing a significant logistical barrier for foreign productions.

Filming permits

All required filming permits are organised as part of the production process. We manage applications with Berlin Bezirksämter, the Film Commission Berlin-Brandenburg, BVG (public transport authority), private property owners and – where applicable – the German Federal Press Office or other national institutions. Permit documentation is included in the final handover.

Release forms and rights clearances

We obtain written release forms (Einverständniserklärungen) from all protagonists who appear recognisably on camera, in both German and English. Music rights, archive footage licences and location releases are cleared before use. You receive all documentation as part of the delivery package.

Insurance

Basiliscus Film carries professional indemnity and production liability insurance. A certificate of insurance is available on request for productions that require it.

Why International Broadcasters Choose Basiliscus Film

Over 20 years of broadcast production experience in Berlin – founded 2001
Journalism-trained team: we tell stories, not just film them
We own our equipment – no agency markups, no rental surprises
English-German bilingual at all levels of production
Broadcast references: ZDF, Deutsche Welle and others available on request
Full permit and rights management included as standard
Transparent pricing – written proposal within 24 hours of briefing call
Remote-production ready – works without your team travelling to Berlin