Unique way to bring travel and tourism to a destination

With its “Terre d’images et de tournages” (shooting and filming location) label, the La Reunion regional council, the IRT, and the Agence Film Reunion aim to raise awareness of the island among European and international producers. This week, they invited Carn Burton, a top assistant director in the film business, to check out the glorious scenery in La Reunion, its diversity, amazing sites, people, and skilled film industry workers.

Of British origin, Carn Burton started out in films in 1995 as a production assistant. In 1999, he became an assistant director, alternating between film and TV. He contributed to the hit films “Whatever Happened to Harold Smith?” and “Esther Kahn.” Drawing on his experience, he has been sought after by some great names.

In 2006, Mel Gibson called on his services for “Apocalypto.” During shooting, Carn Burton was in charge of organizing equipment and logistics. He went on to collaborate with Tim Burton (no relation) during the shooting of “Alice in Wonderland.” This “super location spotter” hunted down the location used for Mia Wasikowska’s and Johnny Depp’s meeting in a strange, unsettling world. Tim worked with him again in 2012 for the film “Dark Shadow.”

One year previously, Carn Burton had pinpointed some fantastic sites for Rob Marshall for the first “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Carn Burton organized shoots for “Skyfall,” starring Daniel Craig, in Istanbul and Shanghai, at remarkable sites, befitting 007. Carn Burton recently worked as assistant director on Ron Howard’s “Rush.”

After flying over La Reunion in a helicopter, he gave us his first impressions. His first word was “amazing,” and he went on to share that La Reunion has a place in his heart and in his location address book.