Lake Como Production Company

Courage Production is the Lake Como photo and film production company managing the entire logistical chain for editorial photo campaigns and commercial film production on the lake. Our team navigates the region's specific topographic constraints, including narrow coastal roads, Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL), and difficult historic villa access gates.

We coordinate Occupazione Suolo Pubblico (O.S.P.) permits for shooting on the lake's towns and handle the load-in/load-out schedules required by private estates. Because large trucks often cannot fit on the lakeside streets, we rely on a coordinated fleet of Sprinter vans to deliver photo and video equipment directly to the villas. If a property has extreme road restrictions, we can also organize specialized marine transfers using technical barges to load in via private docks.

• Location Scout (Private Villas): Allow at least 10 days. Villa owners often need time to evaluate requests and propose fees depending on the type of project.

• Public Permits (O.S.P.): 15 Working Days recommended (Strictly enforced in Bellagio/Como).

• Truck Access: Restricted in many areas. Sprinter Vans are allowed on coastal roads and villa entrances.

• Marine Logistics: Technical Barges & Water Taxis (Booking recommended 5 working days prior).

• Crew Base: Milan (1.5-hour drive). We organize daily shuttles to avoid local hotel costs.

• Drone & Helicopter: ENAC clearance required—restricted airspace over the lake. Lead time varies by flight zone.

• Peak season: May through September. Villa availability drops significantly due to luxury weddings and high-end branded events. Book the most iconic locations a few months in advance.

Recent Lake Como Case Studies:

• Charles Leclerc x Peroni (Commercial Film): Service production for Race Service. Managed villa logistics for a celebrity campaign, ensuring strict privacy protocols and secure access for a large-scale film crew.

• Axel Arigato FW Campaign (Photo & Film): Location scouting and permitting along the coastal shores. Managed public ground occupation (O.S.P.) and van logistics for a combined photo and video unit.

• Monique Lhuillier (Luxury Fashion): Marine logistics involving Riva picture boats and technical support vessels. Coordinated transfers between historic villas for a high-end bridal campaign.

Lake Como offers a range of distinct shooting environments, each with its own logistical and permit profile. Below are a few locations where Courage Production has managed commercial productions, with the operational notes that come with each.

Villa Balbiano (Ossuccio)

A 16th-century lakeside villa on the western shore, recognised globally as the main set of "House of Gucci" by Ridley Scott. Drive-in access is available at the main gate, with marine load-in via the private dock for shooting boat shots. The villa offers extensive frescoed interiors, formal gardens, and direct lake access. We have managed multiple productions at Villa Balbiano, including a luxury bridal campaign with photographer Sonia Szostak for Monique Lhuillier, coordinating villa permits, marine logistics with classic Riva picture boats, and on-site catering.

Villa Erba (Cernobbio)

A large-scale venue with indoor ballrooms and lakefront gardens. Drive-in access is available, making load-in significantly easier than at most lake properties. Frequently used for branded and corporate productions. Located 1 hour from Milan, allowing daily crew commutes without overnight accommodation costs.

Villa d'Este and Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Two iconic 5-star hotels on the western shore. Villa d'Este (Cernobbio) and Grand Hotel Tremezzo are often shortlisted together for luxury campaigns due to their lakefront positioning, historic architecture, and high-end production infrastructure. Filming access depends on hotel occupancy and is negotiated on a case-by-case basis for each property. Expect limited availability and tight time windows during peak season (May to September). Both are best suited for lifestyle and luxury brand content that benefits from co-association with the hotel.

Bellagio

The most photographed town on the lake. Public permit enforcement is strict, with O.S.P. coordination required through the local Comune. Narrow streets limit crew size and equipment footprint. Works best for compact editorial units or fashion campaigns with a tight footprint. We coordinate the full permit chain to avoid delays during peak tourist season.

Varenna and Villa Monastero

A quieter alternative to Bellagio on the eastern shore. Varenna offers an authentic lakeside-village look, with fewer tourists outside peak season and easier permit access through the local Comune. Villa Monastero, located along the lakefront, is a 12th-century property with extensive botanical gardens that opens to film and photo productions through a structured booking process.

Can the crew base in Milan to save on costs?

Yes, but it depends on the Villa's location. For areas like Cernobbio (approx. 1 hour from Milan), daily travel is feasible. However, for locations further north (1.5 to 2+ hours drive), travel eats into the working day, especially given the protocols for Italian film crews (max 13h day including travel). To balance budget and shooting hours, we often recommend staying on location only the night before the shoot, and driving back to Milan after wrap to save on the second night.

Are there film crews and equipment on Lake Como?

No. Lake Como is a location, not a production hub. All professional equipment (rentals) and key crew members are based in Milan. This works in your favor. Milan is the center of the Italian fashion industry and only a short drive away, so we supply the set with top-tier talent and gear directly from HQ.

Can we use Uber or Taxis to move around the lake?

We strongly advise against it. Uber is not active on the lake, and local taxis are scarce. While luxury hotels can book private drivers (NCC), the costs are extremely high, and availability is limited. To ensure flexibility for dinners or transfers between the hotel and the set, we recommend letting production manage the logistics.

Is it possible to shoot on a boat on the lake?

Yes. We regularly coordinate shoots on classic Riva boats, private yachts, and sailboats. The constraint is that Lake Como has strict speed limits in most zones, especially near shore. For tracking shots, we use a separate camera boat running parallel. Courage Production manages all boat permits and coordinates with the local harbor authority (Navigazione Laghi).

Can we fly drones over Lake Como?

Drone flights over the lake require ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority) clearance. The airspace above Como is partially restricted, especially near Bellagio and the central basin. Our team manages the full authorization process, including flight plans and coordination with certified pilots. Lead time depends on the flight zone and the type of shots requested.

How do we get equipment to villas with no road access?

Several historic villas on the western shore (including Villa del Balbianello) have very limited vehicle access. In these cases, Courage Production arranges marine load-in using technical barges that depart from Lenno or Sala Comacina. Equipment is loaded at a ground-level dock in Milan or Como, transferred by van to the departure point, and then moved by water directly to the villa's private dock.

What happens if it rains on a Lake Como shoot?

The lake has a microclimate. Morning fog and afternoon rain are common, especially during early spring and late autumn. We can scout a covered backup option for every exterior setup. Most villas have interior rooms or covered terraces that work as a contingency. We build weather flexibility into the schedule from day one, not as an emergency response.

Nationwide Network: Our unit operates as part of a centralized logistical system. If your project extends beyond Lake Como, discover our complete film and photo production service in Italy.