Exterior locations - what do you need permission for?

iamWZA

iamWZA

Active member
At what point do you start to consider requesting permission to shoot in outdoor locations. For example, a train station platform or a public underpass.
I have a scene in a film I'm working on where I need to shoot in a connecting bridge in a train station. I hadn't planned on getting permission to shoot there, but maybe I need to?

I wonder if there's a general rule to abide by when it comes to outdoor locations.

Any help appreciated.
Thanks
 
Public property depends on your locality. Sometimes you don't need permission or a permit, sometimes you do. It also depends on what exactly you're doing.

As for private property, always ask.
 
Thanks David. It's not always clear what's private and what's public though. I wonder if this bridge is considered public property...
 
Generally, if you have a crew large enough, and enough equipment to attract attention, it's probably a good idea to get permission, especially as there could be insurance issues if you don't.
 
iamWZA said:
At what point do you start to consider requesting permission to shoot in outdoor locations. For example, a train station platform or a public underpass.
I have a scene in a film I'm working on where I need to shoot in a connecting bridge in a train station. I hadn't planned on getting permission to shoot there, but maybe I need to?

I wonder if there's a general rule to abide by when it comes to outdoor locations.

Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Since you indicate you are in the UK, we in the US probably have no idea about the details relating to permissions/licensing, and what is required. And the usual advice is consult an attorney is the 'best' advice...

In the US, many cities/counties/states, have various regulations regarding film/photo in public places. In California, a 'film permit' is almost always required when on 'public lands', that would be city sidewalks, parks, etc.
In general once on public property, a shot that may incidentally capture some 'private property', often does not require further permission. Capture images of people on the street is problematic, and one of the effects of getting a film permit is that one may be required to 'announce' that filming will take place in some public place, on a given date, for a given duration. Signage around such a spot also informs the public that their 'presence' in the area is implicit 'acceptance' of being potentially filmed in the area. Those who do not wish to be filmed, may find another path to their destination...

In speaking with people who have done news reportage, most will have a package of preprinted 'release forms' and hand those out liberally if anyone is in the shooting area, I would imagine a narrative film production would have the same, unless they have also required traffic control, such that only actors and extras are in the shooting area.

In the case of permits the most basic requirement seems to be to carry insurance and name the public entity as covered by the policy. If additional public services such as police for 'traffic control' (not 'set security'...), then there are various rates for such services... This is were the expense of a location starts to mount.

Even then, a shot that has a billboard, or a store front, with some specific company logo or advertisement may be cause for a 'problem', and so one has one of two methods of dealing with that...1) license the image of the bilboard, 2) replace the billboard with imagery which does not require or has cheaper licensing. (I don't know if the actual store front name is required to be licensed when shooting from a public area (street) if the shot does not 'focus' on the store front name... however the store front may have a corporate logo, which could be a problem...).

These days with 'face' replacement post, a unreleased but identifiable person can be dealt with 'in post', up to some number...

For a "UK" directed discussion...

http://philipbloom.net/2009/04/14/filming-in-public-places/
 
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