Travelling Blind
BBC
We worked with Cem for over two months making a BBC documentary about travel and adventure in Turkey. In the space of three weeks, Cem had opened up every institution, remote location and cultural event we needed. It was extraordinary. He found contributors who brought their stories to life with passion and clarity and also provided first class logistical support (knowing all the best restaurants and hotels everywhere we went) as well as acting as a faultless off screen translator. His many skills are grounded in a completely unflappable mindset, an incredible capacity for hard work and a genuine passion for the stories he is covering and the people he’s working with. His years working as a fixer have given him excellent editorial judgement and sense of story, and he was a brilliant sounding board as we felt our way through a complicated, unpredictable shoot. The resulting film, described by The Times as “one of the most original travel programmes I have seen years”, was in large part due to Cem’s contribution.
Will Lorimer
Director
Turkey A to B
Travel Channel
Having created and produced/directed well over two dozen series for broadcasters ranging from Discovery, Travel Channel to Nat Geo I have shot in over 70 countries. Having a trusted local fixer/producer is vital to the success of the production. Cem is one of the best fixer/producers I have worked with, he is experienced, reliable and trustworthy. If you are shooting in Turkey your first call should be to Cem!
James Lockard
Director
The Lost Stories of Gallipoli
Nine Network
I have worked with many fixers in many countries and Cem Yücesoy is up there with the best. He is the quiet achiever who gets things done fast and effectively, without fuss. He fits into a team, maintains a ready smile and is trustworthy. If he says ” it will happen” then it WILL happen. He has excellent contacts throughout Turkey and a mastery of logistics to make a shoot go smoothly.”
Howard Sacre
Producer
The Trail of The Caribou
CBC Television
Cem Yucesoy, The Turkey Fixer! Two Words “The Best”, everything we needed was provided. His professionalism and knowledge of the Gallipoli Area made our Turkey segment of the Documentary “The Trail of The Caribou” a very easy shoot. We were on a tight budget but that did not stop Cem from getting us into the perfect accommodations and great food. We felt by the end of the shoot Cem was a member of the team and we wanted to take him with us to France and Belgium! If we ever head back to Turkey anytime it would be Cem Yucesoy The Turkey Fixer to take care of us be it business or pleasure!
Ted Dillon
Producer / Camera
Waves of Anzac Cove
ABC
Thank you for making Essential Media’s “Waves of ANZAC Cove”’s time filming in Turkey effortless. From the busy alleys of Istanbul to the shoreline and hinterland of Eceabat, nothing was too much trouble and everything went without a hitch. From changing charter boat brief and then and adding an additional vessel to the mix, nothing was too much trouble and there was always a solution, never any problems. Cem, you made our time in Turkey memorable in the best possible way, and the Waves of ANZAC Cove team could not have done it without you. I would not hesitate to recommend you to any other team filming in your beautiful part of the world.
Leilani Tomsazewski
Production Manager
When The Sea Ran Red
RTE Television
We nicknamed him – Cem the Gem! He was a pleasure to deal with from start to finish. We were making an hour long programme on the Irish who died in Gallipoli. Before the trip, he organised the permissions we needed for our visas and advised us on how to go about things. He made everything so easy – hiring the car – picking us up from our hotel, negotiating his way through Istanbul traffic and down to the Gallipoli peninsula; He liaised with locals to get contributors and colour shots; He came up with ideas for locations and was always aware or what would make a good shot; He booked a boat for us to get some pieces to camera and haggled on price. We were on a very tight budget and Cem was very aware of that. What was extremely impressive about him though was that he was such easy company and offered support when we were under pressure. I would have no hesitation in highly recommending Cem to anyone.
Ann Marie O Callaghan
Producer/Director
Wildest Middle East / Wild Turkey
Discovery Channel
The shoot was challenging and Cem never sat back for one moment; constantly on hand, organizing logistics or mucking in with carrying/looking after kit. He’s very experienced and efficient on all levels. He gained all the film permits, effortlessly dealt with any red tape, but most importantly he is passionate about making the best film. He’s wonderful with dealing with contributors and during the setup he was on hand to research, recce and find local scouts who could help track species. For a short shoot our expectations were high. Travelling across Turkey to many different habitats he was instrumental in organizing all logistics, taking the budget into consideration and most importantly preempting changes to our schedule.
James Hemming
Producer Director
Game Of Stones
Discovery Channel
Cem and his team were excellent at accommodating our many last minute requests for locations, equipment, transport and people on the ground. His in-depth knowledge of Turkey, and its culture, was invaluable in making the show work and he was always ready with information and advice. He worked all hours of the day to make sure everything was in place when we needed it. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him.
Jeremy Campbell
Field Producer
Unlikely Heroes Of The Arab Spring
Resolution Productions
I wish that every fixer was like Cem Yucesoy. Beginning with our first contact, weeks in advance of the shoot, he was on top of every detail, quickly understanding what we needed and knowing how to get it, and his experience was very obvious. He facilitated the film permit process and made sure that we had advance permission to shoot throughout Istanbul. He met us at the airport when we arrived and accompanied us back when the shoot was over, ensuring that every hour of our stay in Turkey would go smoothly. During the shoot, we were able to accomplish everything we had hoped for and more, efficiently and on budget. We had set up interviews from the U.S. and he followed up before we arrived to make sure that the schedule and location were confirmed, and to get directions. Cem is a genuinely nice guy who loves what he does and he’s a pleasure to be with. His experience as a travel tour leader is also a great asset to his fixing skills and his knowledge of the history and culture (and street foods) of Turkey enhanced our stay tremendously. We’re only sorry that our shoot in Turkey wasn’t longer.
Barbara Potter
Producer
The Search For Noah's Ark
Burning Bright Productions
Cem was pivotal to the success of a programme presented by Joanna Lumley on her quest to find Noah’s Ark for the British broadcaster ITV, one of the main terrestrial television channels in the UK. After our filming in Istanbul we began our adventure in earnest, travelling east to Mardin and along the Syrian border to Cizre before ascending the slopes of Mt Ararat near the Iranian border. Cem’s sharp organisation, clever understanding of our editorial needs and determination to take us to some of the less visited parts of his beautiful country, meant that we were spoilt for choice in the edit. Cem is also an excellent travelling companion with a calm but efficient approach to his work and a good kind spirit in his heart. I can’t recommend him highly enough.
Matt Bennett
Director
Taboo
National Geographic
Cem was able to obtain a film permit for us and arrange all travel logistics in just two days. Without him, we would have lost our story. Everything ran smoothly on the shoot thanks to his professional and friendly manner. I highly recommend him for any shoot in Turkey.
Milena Gozzo
Production Co-Ordinator
The Food Nanny
Kalesidoscope Pictures
Cem and his team were fantastic. They captured the vision of our episode and, in a wonderful, personable way, arranged for the people and locations, and every other needed detail to keep us on schedule. And best of all, his suggestions and willingness to look for additional opportunities for our reality show to succeed made a tremendous creative difference. We would recommend Cem to anyone looking for a great production partner in country.
Russ Kendall
Producer
Tribal Wives
A Zodiak Entertainment Company
Cem was my fixer on Tribal Wives and he was integral to the success of the filming. He found us the perfect family to film with and smoothed out all difficulties we encountered along the way. He understands the unique demands of location filming and is an asset to have on a shoot.
Milena Gozzo
Production Co-Ordinator
Ultimate Survival with Bear Grylls
A Zodiak Entertainment Company
Cem Yucesoy made the process run very smoothly. He was unflappable and with his phone practically glued to his ear, he was always thinking several steps ahead. With his pleasant, friendly manner I wouldn’t hesitate to use him again.
Andrew Barron
Director / Producer
Cleopatra, Portrait of a Killer
Lion Television
Cem Yucesoy organised a complex documentary shoot for Lion Television, filming in and around Ephesus for ‘Cleopatra, Portrait of a Killer’ (60′ for the BBC and Discovery). Cem obtained filming permits, arranged for electricians, lighting and a jib to travel from Istanbul, and organised props that had to be specially made. When an emergency order of tape stock was needed, he lost no time in sourcing it for us. His knowledge of the tourism and transport industry meant that he could supply good quality vehicles with reliable drivers, and boats to film from. Cem kept me fully informed of costs at all times, secured some very good deals and was a pleasure to work with.
Patricia Chacon
Production Manager
