What Visa do I need to work as a freelance cameraman in Beijing?

[morganpeline]

Hi,

I'm a freelance lighting cameraman who lives London. I was wondering if anyone might be able to explain Visas to me. I am intending to visit Beijing in Oct / Nov to take a 4 week intensive Mandarin course. Afterwards I was intending to see if I could contact Beijing and Shanghai film/tv production companies to see if I could find work as a freelance cameraman.

What Visa do I need to be able to work in China freelance fro 6-12 months?

I am very confused as there are so many Visas available.

Also I am a Hong Kong ID card holder with 'right of abode' in Hong Kong as I lived there for 12 years before I moved to England many years ago - I also speak Cantonese and French. I don't know if that helps at all?

Also I was intending to take a TEFL course here in London just in case I couldn't find work as a cameraman immediately. Do I need a different Visa to work as a private English tutor?

Any info would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Morgan Peline