gotoguyamsterdam.com · Amsterdam, NL

Your trusted
local fixer
in Amsterdam.

Production support, research, access, logistics and creative intelligence for international shoots and stories in the Netherlands.

Book a free call See services →
Jan van Lieshout · Amsterdam fixer Jan van Lieshout — Go To Guy Amsterdam
AMS
Local fixer Amsterdam Production support Netherlands Documentary fixer Research & story development Location scouting Amsterdam Crew sourcing Netherlands Permits & permissions Branded content support Cultural intelligence Editorial judgement Local fixer Amsterdam Production support Netherlands Documentary fixer Research & story development Location scouting Amsterdam Crew sourcing Netherlands Permits & permissions Branded content support Cultural intelligence Editorial judgement

The difference

Not just logistics.
Local intelligence.

"Most fixers help you get things done. Go To Guy Amsterdam helps you understand what needs to be done — and then gets it done."
01
Trust & discretion
Reliable, discreet, honest about what is and isn't possible. Your production, your story, your confidence.
02
Speed
Fast to assess, fast to act, fast to solve. Amsterdam works if you know how to move.
03
Access
Deep network across media, research, crew, locations, contributors and Dutch institutions.
04
Creative intelligence
Not just logistics — editorial thinking, story sense and cultural fluency built over 20 years.

Services

Everything your production
needs. On the ground.

From pre-production research to last-minute shoot-day rescue. Mix and match, or book a complete package.

core
01
Local Fixer & Production Support
Shoot planning, local coordination, crew calls, call sheets, transport, hotels, logistics and on-the-ground production support.
"From first call to final wrap."
editorial
02
Research & Story Development
Desk research, story mapping, background briefings, expert sourcing, Dutch media scan, topic validation and risk checks.
"The right angle before your team lands."
logistics
03
Location Scouting
Amsterdam city, industrial, maritime, rural and institutional locations. Feasibility checks, owner contact and access negotiation.
"Locations that are visually strong and logistically real."
access
04
Permits & Permissions
Municipal contacts, film permits, institution access, public space coordination, privacy awareness and drone feasibility.
"Who needs to say yes — and how."
production
05
Crew Sourcing
DOP, sound recordist, gaffer, drone operator, photographer, PA, translator, editor and specialist crew. Matched to your style and budget.
"Trusted Dutch crew, matched to your production."
editorial
06
Contributor Casting & Interviews
Expert finding, character research, pre-interviews, briefing, scheduling, consent and cultural preparation.
"The right people, approached the right way."
intelligence
07
Translation & Cultural Briefing
Dutch-English briefing, translation support, interview prep, cultural interpretation and local media and political context.
"More than translation: cultural intelligence."
premium
08
Documentary & Journalism Support
Investigative research, source mapping, sensitive subject handling, interview strategy, editorial risk assessment and field producing.
"For stories that need more than logistics."
urgent
09
Emergency Problem-Solving
Last-minute fixer, lost location replacement, urgent crew sourcing, permit issues, contributor dropout and shoot-day rescue.
"When the plan breaks, call the local guy."

How it works

Simple process.
Fast results.

Step 01
Send your brief
Share your dates, shoot type, story and biggest challenge. No long forms — a message or a 20-minute call.
Step 02
Get a proposal
Within 24 hours: honest advice on what's feasible, what it costs, and what I'd recommend.
Step 03
I get to work
Research, crew, locations, permits, contributors — everything lined up before your team arrives.
Step 04
We shoot
On-the-ground support throughout. I handle problems so you can focus on your story.

About

A fixer who understands production, journalism
and story.

Go To Guy Amsterdam is led by Jan van Lieshout — an experienced Dutch media maker, director, journalist and creative producer with 20+ years across broadcast, documentary, journalism and branded content.

International productions rarely need only logistics. They need someone who understands deadlines, access, editorial pressure, contributors, sensitive topics and the difference between a good idea and a shootable plan.

That background — in Dutch television, documentary, investigative journalism and branded storytelling — is what makes this service different from a logistics coordinator. I understand your story. I know this city. I know the people.

20+
Years in media
NL
Based Amsterdam
4h
Response time
INT
Int'l standard
Jan van Lieshout
Jan van Lieshout — Go To Guy Amsterdam Jan van Lieshout
Dutch broadcast experience
Background in Dutch public broadcasting, documentary and current affairs. I know how the media system works — from the inside.
Investigative journalism
Experience in research-driven and sensitive storytelling. Source trust, editorial risk and journalistic responsibility.
Local network, international mindset
Deep connections across Amsterdam's media, cultural and creative landscape — with the communication style international clients expect.

Who we serve

Built for international
production teams.

Documentary producers

International documentary teams need more than logistics in the Netherlands. They need research depth, contributor access, editorial sensitivity and someone who understands the journalistic process from the inside.

"I help you understand the Netherlands before you film it."

Need
Research, access, contributors, field producing, editorial context
Pain
Unfamiliar institutions, language barriers, cultural sensitivities
Services
Research & story development · contributor casting · documentary support · location scouting

Streamers & broadcasters

Netflix, HBO, BBC, Arte — international platforms need a trusted local partner who works to broadcast standards and never lets a production down.

"Broadcast-level local support for international teams."

Need
Reliable local partner, production speed, reputation safety
Pain
Limited time, high standards, reputational risk, no local contacts
Services
Full production support · research · crew · permits · locations

News crews & journalists

Breaking news doesn't wait. Whether arriving tomorrow or planning an investigation, you need someone who can move fast, verify quickly and open the right doors.

"Fast, accurate and editorially aware support on the ground."

Need
Fast research, expert access, ENG logistics, fact verification
Pain
Breaking deadlines, minimal preparation time, unfamiliar contacts
Services
Research · contributor access · location · emergency support

Branded content & agencies

International agencies shooting campaigns and brand films in Amsterdam need a local partner who understands both creative vision and production reality.

"Creative logistics for agencies shooting in the Netherlands."

Need
Locations, crew, smooth execution, premium visual quality
Pain
Client pressure, short production windows, unfamiliar market
Services
Location scouting · crew sourcing · permits · branded content support

Photography & campaigns

Fashion, editorial and advertising photography teams need the right locations, permits and local coordination — without the chaos.

"Amsterdam locations and local coordination without the chaos."

Need
Locations, permits, crew, styling contacts, transport
Pain
Visual ambition vs. practical feasibility
Services
Location scouting · permits · crew sourcing · local coordination

Corporate film teams

Corporate productions, executive interviews and company films require calm, professional local support with boardroom-level discretion.

"Local production support with boardroom-level calm."

Need
Interviews, business locations, executive access, crew
Pain
Stakeholder management, planning complexity, cultural nuance
Services
Crew sourcing · locations · interview setup · cultural briefing

Rates

Transparent pricing.
No surprises.

All rates exclude VAT and travel costs. Custom packages available for all project types and durations.

Day rate
€850
per day — fixer support
Full-day on-location support
Up to 2h prep included
NL travel costs separate
Half-day available at €500
★ Popular
3-day package
€4.500
complete shoot package
Pre-production research
Crew & location coordination
Contributor scheduling
3 full shoot days
Daily updates & debrief
5-day package
€8.500
full production week
Research & access support
Crew sourcing
Location scouting
Permits guidance
Field producing & translation
Research sprint
€1.950
pre-production research
Topic scan & story angles
Expert & contributor map
Access feasibility check
Risk & sensitivity notes
For teams planning a Netherlands project but not yet shooting
Retainer
€1.500–€5.000/month — priority access for foreign production companies
Urgent support
+30–75% surcharge for requests under 48 hours
10-day NL package
€17.500–€35.000+ — full production support including production bible

Free resource

Amsterdam
Production Guide

A practical guide for international teams filming in Amsterdam and the Netherlands. Permits, crew, locations, culture and the mistakes that cost productions time and money.

Read the guide →
→ Do you need a permit to film in Amsterdam?
→ Hiring Dutch crew: what to expect
→ Best filming locations in Amsterdam
→ Dutch culture & interviews
→ Common mistakes international productions make

FAQ

Frequently asked
questions.

What does a local fixer in Amsterdam actually do? +
A local fixer is your on-the-ground partner in Amsterdam — the person who knows the city, speaks the language, understands the system and makes your production work. That means locations, permits, crew, contributors, research, translation, logistics and problem-solving. Go To Guy Amsterdam also brings editorial intelligence: I understand your story, your deadline and your budget.
Do you need a permit to film in Amsterdam? +
Yes — filming in public spaces in Amsterdam almost always requires a permit from the municipality (Gemeente Amsterdam). The rules depend on location, crew size, equipment and duration. Some locations have additional requirements. Go To Guy Amsterdam handles all permit applications and knows exactly who to contact, how to apply and what to expect.
How much does a local fixer in Amsterdam cost? +
Day rates start from €850 per day. Package deals are available for 3-day (€4.500), 5-day (€8.500) and 10-day productions. A research sprint — for teams not yet shooting but planning a Netherlands project — starts from €1.950. Monthly retainers for foreign production companies are available from €1.500/month.
Can you support documentary and journalism productions? +
Yes — this is a core speciality. With a background in Dutch investigative journalism and documentary production, I support teams on sensitive, complex and access-driven stories. That includes research, source mapping, contributor access, editorial risk assessment, interview strategy and field producing.
How quickly can you start on a production? +
Fast. For planned productions, I recommend getting in touch 2–4 weeks in advance. For urgent requests — within 24–72 hours — emergency support is available with a surcharge. I respond to all enquiries within 4 hours on working days.
Do you only work in Amsterdam, or across the Netherlands? +
Both. Amsterdam is the primary base, but productions across the Netherlands — Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, rural locations, ports, airports and border regions — are all within scope. The Netherlands is compact; most locations are reachable within 90 minutes.

Get in touch

Tell me about
your project.

Share your dates, your story and your biggest challenge. I'll give you honest advice on what's feasible and what it costs.

Email
jan@gotoguyamsterdam.com
Based in
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Response time
Within 4 hours on working days
Book a free 20-min call →
Urgent production support? Mention "URGENT" in your message and I'll respond within the hour during business hours.