Location Permit

B

BennyOne

Member
I was wondering what peoples experiences are with shooting in public without a permit.

I will be shooting in San Francisco inside of an outdoor mall and will not be visible from the street but the public/permit people will definitely be able to see us if they happen to be around.

Do I need to get a permit if my crew is small and we keep it low key? Doesn't sound like the mall cares if we have a permit or not.

What is the point of getting a permit anyways?

Any input appreciated.
 
BennyOne said:
I was wondering what peoples experiences are with shooting in public without a permit.

I will be shooting in San Francisco inside of an outdoor mall and will not be visible from the street but the public/permit people will definitely be able to see us if they happen to be around.

Do I need to get a permit if my crew is small and we keep it low key? Doesn't sound like the mall cares if we have a permit or not.

What is the point of getting a permit anyways?

Any input appreciated.
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Using 'any' facility requires a release from the facility owner no matter whether the local ordinances require a permit to shoot or not.

Don't know what SF's ordinances are, but LA and San Diego require permits even when shooting on 'private' property. Since SF is 'film savy' I'd imagine they have similar.
 
Always do your background checks! Funny you're shooting at a mall, cause I was just kicked out of a mall 2 weeks ago for that very reason. Even if you get permission from a store manager, you still need to get it approved with the mall management. Always do this, because it can ruin your schedule if you have to postpone filming.

Also, when your movie comes out and you have stores etc... projected on screen, you are setting yourself up for legal trouble if you didn't check with them first. Lots of times they don't care cause they don't want to put in the effort to take you to court, but if your film ever gets purchased from a distributor you never want those things to come back to haunt you.

Good luck!
 
I have permission from the mall and it will not be in front of any stores or display any logos, etc.

Just wondering if it is worth it to go through the trouble of getting the permit for my small, low key shoot.
 
I would.
I'm about to shoot a no-budget amateur short, but I'm still getting a permit for the one public location (A council-owned public park), and Public Liability Insurance.
Because sh!t happens.
The people I'm dealing with have been very helpful in facilitating things.
Also if you've got all the right paperwork you have ammo against the "you can't shoot here" brigade.
Dave
 
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