Kiev, Ukraine
Tour guide: Lena Kozlova, head of production, Radioaktive Film
Vintage Soviet gear: The weekly flea market on the city's Left Bank has tons of Soviet-era military paraphernalia. A deeper resource is the assorted local film companies, such as Dovzhenko Film Studios, which produced classics such as Sergei Parajanov's Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. Working military hardware can be found at one of the city's several war memorials.

Exotic animals: For snakes, spiders and rare birds, try The Bird Market, open Tuesday to Sunday. For lions, tigers and bears, Kozlova will take you to the local circus.

The car chase: For day shoots, downtown streets can be cordoned off on weekends, but weekdays on the outskirts of the city are more suitable for night pursuits.

We need 100 more extras by tomorrow: "Casting is one of the big reasons people come here," says Kozlova. "Extras are affordable and easy to gather. Our in-house casting studio will make sure you get the necessary number of people for 20 to 30 euros a head."

Midnight snacks: Insomniac diners have plenty of options in Kiev. Kozlova suggests Crazy Momma for greasy spoon fare and Safe Lounge for sushi and steak. Try the "furry" sushi at Richelieu or stop by Varenichnaya #1 to hang with a tiny pet pig and eat a traditional Ukrainian meal.

Party central: For a festive old school atmosphere, Kozlova suggests the underground vodka bar Petrovych. If you're into girls, shiny outfits, overpriced drinks and fun dance music, Decadance is your place.

Face control: Don't forget to floss. Many high-end nightclubs enforce "face control", an informal dress code-type policy that ensures only the most attractive patrons make it past the bouncer. KR

Radioaktive Film http://www.radioaktivefilm.com

Tokyo, Japan
Tour guide: Georgina Pope, executive producer, Twenty First City
Where's the best place to throw the wrap party and why? "Izakaya are Japanese pubs - all you can eat and drink deals," says Pope. "Low tables, everyone on the floor... it makes for excellent mingling as everyone needs to stretch and move about once in a while."

Be careful of the glass: Bring your own ground glass - it's very hard to get typical UK and US formats in Japan.

I need to shoot a surf scene and a skiing scene in one day. Impossible? "It's possible, especially in Hokkaido, the north island of Japan, but also near Tokyo," says Pope. "Start the day skiing in Nagano, then have a bento box lunch on the drive to Chiba for an afternoon surf shoot."

For those of a certain age... "For a film we had to build a seven-room 'love hotel'," recalls Pope. "That wasn't hard - getting elderly actors for scenes was the challenge. Once we found the agency that manages elderly porn actors we had choices. Who knew Tokyo had a vibrant granny porn scene?"

We want to shoot in a rough part of town, but we don't want to get roughed up: "Yakuza, the notorious and mysterious Japanese mafia, will have to be paid a fee," says Pope. "Sounds scary and these guys are scary but they offer value for money in terms of letting a neighborhood know there will be a film crew. It would cost more to get PAs to do a letterbox drop."

This spot is supposed to take place in London. Where can we find a double-decker bus? "We can find excellent picture vehicles here in Tokyo," Pope asserts. "Allow around $1,200 US a day for a London bus to be delivered." EW

Twenty First City, Tokyo http://www.twentyfirstcity.com

Mumbai, India
Tour guide: Avinash Shankar, president and executive producer, Stratum Films
Multiple seasons in 60 seconds: India offers a variety of locations from snow-clad mountains, barren deserts, to tropical forests. With time allotted for travel, shooting various climates around the region isn't a problem.

The helicopter shot: "Renting a tank, airplane or helicopter is possible but will take time since it would either have to be through the Army, the Air Force or an airline," says Shankar. "The approval process is lengthy and could take up to three months from the time all necessary documents for permission are submitted to authorities."

Exotic animals: Although Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park is home to various animals such as leopards, panthers and langurs, don't go looking to put any of them in your latest spot - filming with exotic animals is strictly prohibited.

The car chase: "Blocking traffic or pedestrians in any manner whatsoever is strictly prohibited," says Shankar about cordoning off major streets. "You will get relatively empty roads only on Sundays, whereas Saturday is a working day in most parts of the country."

We need 100 more extras by tomorrow: "Getting 100 extras is very easy," says Shankar. "[@radical.media director] Tarsem once asked us for 1,000 extras for a shoot the next day and he got them at the time he wanted." CC

Stratum Films http://www.stratumfilms.com

Mali
Tour guide: Dale Kushner, EP, AFS Productions
BYO everything: Mali has the Sahara desert, Timbuktu, bustling markets, beautiful adobe architecture and the Tuareg (the nomads, not the car), but almost no production infrastructure. You'll have to bring all your equipment, but vehicles, drivers, interpreters, guides and local production assistants can be sourced locally.

The Great Mosque of Djenné: One of the country's biggest tourist draws, the mosque is roughly 100 years old and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built on the ruins of the first Great Mosque, which dated back to the 13th century.

Permits: Permission to shoot in Djenné must be obtained in the capital Bamako from the Centre National De La Cinematographie (CNC), which will also send a representative to the set. "The guy we got did not really know anything about filming and worked for the local library," says Kushner. "He was very helpful though, helping us carry equipment and chasing away aggressive donkeys. But it's also very important to discuss everything with the local chief and elders of the village before you shoot, even if you have permission from the CNC."

Calling Air Force 54: Need a helicopter to hit some of Africa's more distant lands? "I have in the past contacted the office of the president of the country to borrow his," says Kushner. "Not kidding!" KR

AFS Productions http://www.afsproductions.com

Bangkok, Thailand
Tour guide: Su Suku, producer, Big Blue Production Co.
Seeing the city for the trees: Bangkok has lots of greenery in the city's core, including the renowned Lumphini Park. Forestry, open spaces, plus an artificial lake in Lumphini, allow producers to shoot cityscapes and green zones in the same area.

The car chase: "The location should not be in downtown to avoid heavy traffic, which is a typical sight in Bangkok," says Suku about blocking off stretches of road. "There is zero chance that you can block the traffic for a long period of time. You can block to a maximum of 10 minutes, let the traffic flow and then block again." However, there is an ideal alternative. "Sometimes we'll find a location like a town village and set it up like a [major] intersection complete with traffic lights."

We need 100 more extras by tomorrow: "In Bangkok or close by, no problem," says Suku. "The fee for 100 extras is $3,500 US per day."

We've run out of black-and-white film: "None of the offices here have that in stock," notes Suku. "If Singapore has it in stock, it will take a week to get to Thailand."

We need a large set build: The local set constructors are capable of building large sets in short time frames. However, Suku notes that these crews don't speak any languages other than Thai. Thus, have someone on hand who can translate. CC

Big Blue Production Co http://www.bigbluethai.com
Thai Film Office http://www.thailandfilmoffice.org

Auckland, New Zealand
Tour guides: Curious Film director/owner Daryl Ward and Paul Prince, executive producer, The Sweet Shop
We need 1,000 more sheep by tomorrow: "Considering there are 20 sheep to every person in New Zealand, it would be pretty embarrassing if it was a failed mission," says Prince.

Hybrids and helicopters: Ward gets his hybrid speedboat-roadsters (aka the Aquada Amphibious car) from Kiwi entrepreneur Alan Gibbs' private collection (www.gibbstech.co.uk). The New Zealand army, or pilot Alfie Speight at Heliworks (www.heliworks.co.nz) in Queenstown can help out with helicopters.

Live music: The Kings Arms or Whammy Bar (for that underground Berlin bar scene vibe) are recommended. Check out www.cheeseontoast.co.nz for listings.

Designer shoes: Give your Amex a workout on Posonby Road, Auckland's premiere high-end shopping destination. For that fancy footwear fix, head to Wunderkammer Menswear or Mei Mei.

It's 2am and we're hungry: Another famous strip in Auckland is the former red light district, Karangahape Road (aka K' Road), home to several shops, cafes and late-night dining. "Go to any of the kebab places on K' Road," says Prince. "You will see people you know for sure." KR

Curious Film http://www.curiousfilm.com
The Sweet Shop http://www.thesweetshop.tv

Shanghai, China
Tour guide: Nick Dodet, executive producer, P.I.G. Films
All together now... Dodet recommends any number of Shanghai's many karaoke bars for wrap parties. Their favorite, Cosmo KTV, is right next door to their offices. "Six floors of private rooms to use and abuse," he jokes. Note the date: With proper time, pretty much any intersection can be shut down in Shanghai, preferably not on weekend rush hours, and never on or near June 4, the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. We want to shoot in a rough part of town, but we don't want to get roughed up: "Most of the time it's about having good relationship with the local authority, usually the local chief of police," says Dodet. We need to shoot in the Forbidden City: "As long as the content is not politically charged, it is doable," Dodet offers. "It may require specific visas, co-production with a local government entity, and authorization from local authorities. It can take from two to six weeks. Otherwise, shoot at the Hengdian World Studio backlot, with replicas of parts of the Forbidden City." It's 2am and we're hungry: Hit one of the shops on Yongjia Road in downtown Shanghai's French Concession. "Best. Noodles. Ever. And cheap as hell." EW P.I.G. Shanghai, China http://www.pigchina.com Montevideo, Uruguay
Tour guide: Lorenzo Benedick, executive producer, Vagabond Films
The best place to throw the wrap party: Benedick recommends Punta del Este in January. "It's a hot spot for the international jet set and local beautiful people." I need to block off a busy intersection for a shoot: Benedick says that for Montevideo, give 48 hours notice. "Weekends are better but weekdays are possible too with a week's notice," he advises. We want to shoot in a rough part of town, but we don't want to get roughed up: "Uruguay is the safest country in South America," asserts Benedick. "Safer than Venice Beach or the East Village at night." We need 100 more extras by tomorrow: "Sixty dollars per extra and they will be there by tomorrow," says Benedick. "Uruguay has a very diverse population, including people of Brazilian, Asian and Japanese descent." Soccer shooting: Need to capture a footie match in your spot? "The Estadio Centenario is a monument to football," boasts Benedick. "It hosted the first ever World Cup. And Penarol, the most popular team here, have won the Intercontinental Cup three times. We live for soccer, and to shoot in the stadium costs around $10,000 US a day." EW Vagabond Films http://www.vagabondfilms.com