I Need A Little Help

A

Adroitone

Active member
Hello everyone,

I'm about to start working on my latest short film and I have a question to ask.

The film I'm working on will mostly be shot on a basketball court, most likely an elementary school basketball court (it has to be outside). My question is, before I ask this particular school if I can use its basketball court to film on, do I need any type of documentation to show, or is it as simple as just asking?

The film I'm working on is not for profit, it'll just be used to submit to film festivals and also something to have in my portfolio.

For all that helps, thanks.
 
You might need releases from all the actors. And I would probably bring a schedule of how long you plan to be there.

If it's a public school, you might need to get permits from the town.

I usually just find a student, ask if they want to be in the film, and do it guerilla. If anyone asks, we say it's a project for said student.

Good luck on the shoot!
 
NinjaVsPenguin said:
I usually just find a student, ask if they want to be in the film, and do it guerilla. If anyone asks, we say it's a project for said student.
Click to expand...

For a 6 year old? :P

Ask the school, and if the will tell you if you need to go somewhere else for permission.

Asking never hurts, whats the worst that can happen? They say "NO"?
 
Insurance will be their main concern. They will want you to be covered in case someone trips over their own feet. Permits will be the next concern. You might want to start thinking about shooting it in other locations as well...just in case they won't give you the location for shooting.
 
Hey, thanks a lot. I'm going to contact the school tomorrow to see if I need a permit. I'll work on the schedule when I receive the school's schedule since they have a lot of activities going on doing the evening.

Does a permit normally cost money, and if so, what is the average price?
 
Whenever I've need locations I've put together a single sided A4 page that explains what the film is about, where it will be showing, my previous work, etc and include a shot of me by a camera directing, etc and then I contact the place I want to film at and talk about the film and whether they can provide a location.

For a recent short I've shot in a radio station, a large factory that processes fruit national wide and a butchers shop with this approach. None of them had a problem because I assured them what we would be doing, etc. I also told them how long it might take and that I have overestimated so we don't cause a nusiance. Told them they will recieve a copy, etc.

I didn't need a permit for any of these because an employee was around the whole time. The factory was the most picky - I needed approval to film in the factory which took a few days but when I was on set their OH&S Manager was with us the whole time: probably a good thing as I had an 8 year old climbing a vat ladder.

So my advice is just talk to them about what you want to do, and be honest! As far as a permit goes, I wouldn't suggest it because they may not have even considered this. Also remember nearly anyone you will contact for a location WILL most likely be interested - If you were bored with the monotiny of work and someone wanted to make a film it would be a lot more interesting. All the employees on my last short were more than happy to hang around to see how a movie is made.

If it makes you feel better, think to yourself: I'm not being a pain trying to film at their workplace, I'm offering them an oppurtunity to experience a bit of Hollywood!
 
Just do it at a park. most parks offer the same recreational areas as any school. tennis courts, basketball, even roller hockey areas.
 
Depends on when you are shooting. If you are doing it evenings and weekends when no kids are present you should not have much trouble. Just get in contact with one of the school administrators and explain what you'll be doing. Show them your storyboards, actor headshots, etc. Make them feel a part of movie-making magic. And be prepared to give a little pitch for your film because they may want to know what the content will be.

If you are going to try and shoot during school hours then you should definitely have some a professional looking package to present should they ask for it. A short bio on you, some photographs of location scouting or rehearsals, insurance info, brief synopsis of your script, etc. You may need supervision too.

You should have a few locations (schools) in mind because every school and every administrator is different. You may get turned down by one only to get a big fat yes from another. It's a numbers game, sorta' like dating. Just be sure to get business cards, names, phone numbers and something in writing if possible so if you do run in to trouble with Todd the security guard you can say, "Principal Johnson gave me permission last week. I have his card, do you want to call him?"

I've always used the poor, struggling filmmaker approach and gained access to many locations - public and private - without trouble. Good luck!
 
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