06 – Hostile filming protocol
Putting a communications plan in place before travel begins is an imperative. In addition to the above details, it should include a timeline for check-ins and what to do when a check-in does not occur.
Ahead of leaving for a hostile location, each team member should complete a Proof of Life document that contains confidential information that can be referred to in order to confirm whether a person is still alive in the event of a kidnapping, abduction, or detention. The Rory Peck Trust has a template that can be used.
In the event of the need for an extraction, the key contact at home should have access to information regarding insurance, legal counsel, and whom they should speak to.
Each team member should set up a personal contact who knows their passwords and the location of their last will and testament and financial documents. They should also have the serial numbers of equipment should it be stolen or seized. In certain situations, automated electronic location sharing with someone off-site can also be part of this protocol.
If you are using a travel phone with reduced functionality or want to explore carrying an additional device that will work where there is no cellphone signal, several outdoor sports, marine, and adventure companies make commercially available GPS map devices, including handheld units and watches. These devices are designed for extreme and hostile environments and use satellites to communicate information in remote regions without cellphone service. The companies that sell them also offer Search and Rescue insurance and subscription tiers that include SOS messaging services that can notify emergency medical response and electronically direct them to your precise location with a push of a button.
In some countries with active war zones, and authoritarian regimes, satellite communication devises are highly regulated, prohibited, or affected by rules set by U.S. and EU embargoes. Check the terms and conditions of different plans and confirm their services will be available where you will be traveling.
Many countries require that filming equipment that crosses their borders is documented in a carnet (an international customs and temporary export-import document) and will require communications equipment such as satellite phones to be referenced in the document. This can draw attention to the purpose of your trip and heighten the risk of bribery, which should be considered in your decision to travel with this equipment.