Is Los Angeles Guerilla Filmmaking Friendly?

C

c.g._eads

Veteran
Anybody ever do any rogue shooting around LA without obtaining permits? With at least a decent sized crew? How difficult is it?
 
I think he wanted to titillate you. Did it work Pookie?

EDIT: Post title was changed. My comment makes no sense now. Ah well..
 
Biggest problem with Guerilla filming in LA is that most people recognize a camera - attracts attention. If you stay away from Malls, certain public places, you can get away with a lot. Shoot where there aren't any security people. Also, some police will ask for permits. Depending on what you are doing, I always use "just doing a family thing." The key to Guerilla is flexibility - be able to stop quickly and move somewhere else - this can look bad in front of actors. At USC, for the starter courses, we rarely got permits to shoot around campus/LA - but when on campus, we had to permit. Most people don’t care. I only really did Guerilla before I went to Film School - now it is mostly private property or public places that are free access.
 
i love it when pookie gives me attention.

soarprod - good post.

i thought i tricked the sensors with my original title. Darn. But it sure was nice of them to change the title instead of just delete my post, which is what they used to do. I must be gaining some street cred around here.
 
Hey, we're trying to be friendlier, but it would be easier if the users would work with us by making more appropriate post titles, etc!:grin:
 
CG,
I'm looking to do the same thing you are. I'm new to the west coast and while I had no problem shooting guerilla in NYC, I hear this town loves to charge you for breathing near a camera.

Most of my script calls for indoor shooting, but I do have a couple of outdoor shots in a public parking lot that's giving me concern. I hear permits cost a lot of money.

What are you planning on shooting? Feature or a short?
 
planning on shooting in a couple of parks, a cemetary (probably won't be able to get away with that one), some side streets, and then outside of LA on some small roads. A lot of my movie is on location. So yeah, I'm going to be guerilla filmmaking my butt off.
 
That's funny because I have a cemetary scene in my script as well. Need a parking lot shot too and that has me more concerned with police pulling up out of the blue.

I'm assuming you're not paying crew, so do you need free crew and equipment? I'm looking to partner with local DVXer's to pool resources and crew (ie. you scratch my back I scratch yours). I own a light kit and a dolly with 30 feet of track.

PM me (or email through my website) if you're interested in this-
 
Be careful with assuming that you do not need permits to shoot in parks. Often times you do need permits, and shooting without them can get you in way bigger trouble. Like, shooting in Griffith park without a permit can get you in federal-type trouble. If you are shooting in a relatively well traveled area, you're better safe than sorry by getting the permits, or permission from the land owners. Good luck.
 
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