Location Scouting & Recce
Pre-scouting with detailed reports: photos, light analysis (sun path, golden hour), access, power, noise, restrictions. Virtual recce via video call available.
Umbria & Tuscany, Italy
Fixer & Local Production Support
Your on-the-ground partner for photo and video productions in Central Italy. Location scouting, permits, equipment, crew, logistics. Based in Città della Pieve.
TL;DR: Paolo Zuchegna, fixer based in Città della Pieve (Perugia), provides local production support across Umbria, Tuscany, Lazio: location scouting, permits (drone/public/private), equipment rental, crew hiring, logistics. 40 years on the ground.
What I Provide
End-to-End Local Production Services
TL;DR: 6 core services: location scouting (pre-scout + virtual recce), permits (ENAC/SUAP/SIAE), equipment rental (cameras/lighting/grip), crew hiring (AC/gaffer/grip/DIT/MUA/PA), logistics (transport/accommodation/catering), cultural liaison (EN/IT). All vetted partners.
Permits & Bureaucracy
Drone permits (ENAC), municipal permits (SUAP), SIAE for music/public performance, historic center access, park/protected area authorizations, private estate negotiations.
Equipment Rental
Cinema cameras, lighting packages, grip, audio, power generation. Partnered with rental houses in Rome, Florence, Perugia. Prep days included, insurance handled.
Local Crew Hiring
Camera department (AC, DIT), lighting (gaffer, best boy, electricians), grip (key grip, dolly grip), art department, MUA/hair, stylists, production assistants, runners. Vetted, insured, English-speaking.
Logistics & Operations
Transport (vans, trucks), accommodation booking (crew-friendly), catering (dietary requirements handled), unit base setup, waste management, COVID/health protocols if needed.
Cultural & Language Liaison
Fluent English/Italian. Navigate local customs, negotiate with property owners, manage authorities, translate on set. Bridge between your vision and Italian reality.
Why Me
40 Years Living and Working Here
TL;DR: Photographer-first fixer for 40 years in Città della Pieve. Strategic base (30 min Perugia, 25 Orvieto, 20 Trasimeno, 35 Val d'Orcia). Certified UAS Pilot (drone permits in-house). Google Trusted Photographer. 35+ year network of locations, vendors, authorities.
I'm not a fixer who parachutes in. I'm a photographer based in Città della Pieve for 40 years. I know the light on the Val d'Orcia cypresses at 7:43 PM in July. I know which agriturismo owner welcomes crews and which requires three notarized letters. I know the mayor's assistant who actually processes the SUAP permit.
- Strategic base: 30 min Perugia, 25 Orvieto, 20 Trasimeno, 35 Val d'Orcia
- Photographer first: I understand your creative needs, not just logistics
- Certified UAS Pilot: Drone permits and operations in-house
- Google Trusted Photographer: Knows the platform requirements for virtual tours
- Network: 25+ years of relationships with locations, vendors, authorities
Recent Productions
Selected Experience (Confidentiality Respected)
- Luxury fashion campaign — Val d'Orcia & Rome. 5 days, 30-person crew. Full fixer: scouting, permits, equipment, crew, logistics.
- Hotel brand content library — 4 properties across Umbria/Tuscany. 12 days. Virtual tours, photography, video. Google Street View certified delivery.
- Documentary series (streaming platform) — Central Italy. 3 weeks. Location research, permits for protected areas, local crew, translation.
- Automotive commercial — Mountain roads, historic towns. Drone permits, road closures, police coordination, safety officers.
- Wine brand international launch — Multiple estates. Product photography, lifestyle, aerial, cellar access. Bilingual coordination.
Client names and project details omitted under NDA. References available on request for qualified productions.
Micro-Summary
| Service | Zone | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Location Scouting & Recce | Umbria, Tuscany, Lazio | Photo/video crews, producers, directors |
| Permits (Drone, Public, Private) | Umbria, Tuscany, Lazio, Marche | International productions, brands, agencies |
| Equipment Rental | Rome, Florence, Perugia partners | Cinema crews, commercial productions |
| Local Crew Hiring | Umbria, Tuscany, Lazio | Productions needing vetted local crew |
| Logistics & Operations | Central Italy | Multi-day shoots, large crews |
| Cultural & Language Liaison | Umbria, Tuscany, Lazio | International crews, foreign producers |
FAQ
Quick Answers for Producers
What does a fixer do for international productions?
I handle everything local: location scouting and permits (public/private), equipment rental (cameras, lighting, grip), crew hiring (assistants, DPs, gaffers, MUAs), logistics (transport, accommodation, catering), translation and cultural liaison, weather and light planning. You arrive ready to shoot.
Which areas do you cover?
Core: Umbria (Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto, Todi, Lake Trasimeno, Spoleto, Gubbio) and Tuscany (Val d'Orcia, Val di Chiana, Cortona, Arezzo, Siena, Florence). Extended: Lazio (Viterbo, Bolsena Lake) and Marche (southern). Based in Città della Pieve — strategic midpoint.
Do you handle permits for drones and public locations?
Yes. I am a certified UAS Pilot (ENAC) and handle drone permits (ENAC, municipal, park authorities). For public locations (piazzas, historic centers, parks), I manage SIAE, SUAP, and municipal permits. For private estates, I negotiate access and fees.
Can you provide equipment and crew?
Yes. Through local partners I arrange: cinema cameras (ARRI, RED, Sony Venice), lighting (HMI, LED, tungsten), grip (dollies, cranes, sliders), audio, power. Crew: 1st/2nd AC, gaffer, key grip, DIT, MUA, stylists, production assistants. All vetted, insured, English-speaking where possible.
Producing in Central Italy?
Let's discuss your dates, budget, and creative brief. I'll send a detailed proposal within 48 hours.
Discuss Your Production