Exchange rate: $1 = 3.6 pesos
One night at the Sheraton: $60
Day rate for an extra: $10 to $20
Three-course dinner for four: $95
Weather averages:
Winter: 50F
Summer: 74F
Watch for: Antonio Banderas and Emma Thompson now in Buenos Aires shooting Imagining Argentina.

As Argentina experiences economic turmoil - juggling an amazing five economy ministers in 15 months - marketers may be pulling products from shelves as ad spending plummets, but the flipside is an amazingly cheap locale for foreign production companies.

"It's an incredible exchange at the moment," says producer Mario Ghersi at 20-year-old production service company A World A Film, citing the current exchange rate as evidence. "To give you an idea, any small production company can invest around $2,000 US for a small crew for a whole week, with a five-star hotel, full equipment rental and the use of a car."

As can be expected, costs for extras and talent are also low. Unemployment in Argentina is currently running at 23% and rising, and salaries are slipping while inflation continues to run at around 30%.

"Once you arrive here," observes Ghersi on the state of the economy and the resultant casting dream, "you find that extras are very cheap - between $10 to $20 per day... [and as far as hotels go], you can currently grab a five-star place like the Sheraton for about $60 a night."

In terms of the look and locale, there are many reasons to shoot (beyond the money being saved). The country offers an full spectrum of different locations and scenery. Presently in its winter season, most shoots are on the snowcaps, but other seasons offer desert scenes, mountain peaks and other natural splendors. Beautiful local waterfalls have made appearances in many spots and films over the years - specifically the Iguaci falls as seen in The Mission staring heavyweights Robert DeNiro and Jeremy Irons.

"People shoot in Argentina primarily because of the beautiful landscape and obvious budget opportunities," says Ghersi, a seasoned location scout himself.

"All the landscapes you can imagine are to be found here. We have over 30,000 photographs on our Web site that give people an opportunity to see the array of looks we have here in our country. Transportation is good - the airports have been completely renovated over the past two years. And, we do have a solid infrastructure in spite of the bad economic times we are experiencing right now."

WEBFILES:
A World A Film> http://www.AWAFIsa.com