Filming your Sandakan event, from old town to Sepilok

Sandakan is on the other side of Sabah from Kota Kinabalu, so the crew, the spare equipment and the files all need a plan. Settle those before you settle the style of the film.

What settings do Sandakan events use?

The old town has a self-guided heritage trail of about 2.6 km with 10 signboarded sites, including the 100 Steps and Agnes Keith House. Part of it is uncovered, so rain matters. The waterfront is near the old town. About 30 km away is Sepilok, where visitors come for the orangutan centre and other wildlife sites.

Events here include company dinners, school and community programmes, weddings and family gatherings. Everyday speech is mostly Sabahan Malay, Mandarin leads in business and school, and Bajau, Suluk and Kadazan-Dusun communities live here. Tell us which languages the speakers use.

What should you ask about heritage and wildlife sites?

Each site sets its own times, so confirm current hours with each one. On the heritage trail, Agnes Keith House has been listed as open 9 am to 5 pm and St Michael’s and All Angels Church as closed on Tuesdays and Sundays. At Sepilok, the orangutan centre opens in the morning and afternoon with a break at midday, and feeding is at set times.

If your programme needs one of these places, ask the site or its caretaker whether a crew may film, for how long and where. Do the same for the public parts of the trail with the municipal council. See filming in a heritage building and permits and permissions for destination filming.

How do the crew and equipment get there?

Sandakan Airport has domestic flights, including to Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Kuala Lumpur. The road from Kota Kinabalu goes through Telupid and Ranau, and the road from Tawau runs along the east coast. Settle these early:

1. Spare cameras, microphones, batteries and cards to bring
2. The plan if a flight or a boat is delayed
3. Whether the crew arrives the day before

If your programme includes a boat in eastern Sabah waters, ask the operator whether any restriction applies to your timing. Read planning a videography team travelling between Peninsular and East Malaysia and use the outstation filming budget worksheet.

What do the wet months mean?

October to February are the wettest months. For an outdoor event, agree a covered area, and expect set-ups to run late. See weather planning for an event videography booking.

Can the video be delivered quickly?

It can, depending on the setup. A quick edit needs power and a laptop on site, enough hours for the editor, and a reliable way to move files. Ask the venue about internet, and agree who approves the film. Read how a same-day event edit is planned and use the same-day edit deadline planner.

Where do you start?

Send the venue, date and the films you want.

To write your plan first, use the event video brief builder. A booking is confirmed once scope and terms are agreed. Tawau is the other east coast city, and the Sabah overview covers the rest. Our event videography service page lists what we film.