Permission/Permits

B

Bukeroo Burton

New member
I would like to know if I need permission from the city to film at houses owned by family and friends. Also, how would I go about getting permission to film in the desert, the scene envoles a car, a hole, and it is at night. I kind of figured that I might have to get a permit, but is they any ther ways around it?
Thanks.
 
call your city or county film commission. They are usually more helpful than hurtful.
 
Also, how would I go about getting permission to film in the desert, the scene envoles a car, a hole, and it is at night. I kind of figured that I might have to get a permit, but is they any ther ways around it?
Thanks.
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It is easier to beg for forgiveness than it is for permission.

If you get caught, tell them you are a student(out of town?). I'm pretty sure they will be forgiving.
 
>It is easier to beg for forgiveness than it is for permission.

no offense dude, but I couldn't disagree more. It couldn't hurt to ask, at least in general terms, what would be necessary. You might be surprised how helpful they are and easy it can be. For all the work you go thru with actors, props, equipment and everything, it's nice to have the piece of mind and authorization that a permit will give you.
 
>getting permission to film in the desert, the scene envoles a car, a hole, and it is >at night

Check around at state parks and county parks. Different areas have different requirements. Sometimes all it takes is giving a heads up to the sheriff.
 
If I remember correctly, state parks(at least in CA) and national parks don't require a permit, nor do you require a permit to shoot on private property with the permission of the owner of course. But you might want to get liability insurance just in case. For park check with the park ranger office, even though you might not need a shooting permit, you still may need other special permissions...
 
It couldn't hurt to ask, at least in general terms, what would be necessary. You might be surprised how helpful they are and easy it can be. For all the work you go thru with actors, props, equipment and everything, it's nice to have the piece of mind and authorization that a permit will give you.
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I agree with you to an extent. I think that it would be a good idea with locations that you can find a dime a dozen. But when you have a location that is ultra sweet and rare, and you know the chances are slim to none to get the permission, no way in Hell am I going to go against the odds and ask when I can just plan right and steal a shot. It's just not worth it to ask for great locations with little chance of getting permission, at least this way if you do get told to leave, you'll most likely get told to leave by the owners as opposed to the cops that the owner called for because he had already told you no.
 
Robert86 said:
It's just not worth it to ask for great locations with little chance of getting permission...
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All depends on what work you do. Any type of commercial work, or piece that goes into distribution might necessitate Location Releases; hence permissions.
Like j mentioned, getting permission isn't all that difficult (mostly), and shows one is prepared to do one's homework.
 
Any type of commercial work, or piece that goes into distribution might necessitate Location Releases; hence permissions.
Like j mentioned, getting permission isn't all that difficult (mostly), and shows one is prepared to do one's homework.
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Of course you'd have to when doing commercial work and the such, so no arguement there.
But when it comes to shooting short films or music videos or even independent features, I don't see the need to risk a great location.
Example, this weekend I will be shooting some stuff for a feature trailer, I'm not going to bother asking for permission if I am only doing a few dolly shots(might set up lights) and getting out of there. It's just rediculous to ask in that instance.
There are plenty of good examples from independent films where the filmmakers stole shots, and for good reason too.
 
I believe in National Parks, if you use a tripod, you have to pay some sort of fee.

Also, as far as permissions, just think about what you'll use the footage for- if you are going to sell it to some larger entity, they may want you to get E&O (errors and omissions) insurance, and if you don't have the permits/releases for talent, location, etc, you are pretty much buggered.

Also, I heard of a story of someone shooting in front of a statue, turns out they need to pay the artist who made the statue for using the work inside their video.

It's a crazy world out there.
 
tomk358 said:
It's a crazy world out there.
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Aye.
Adding: in my experience it's only "a crazy world" and unfair, as long as the material/location that permission is being sought for isn't one's own. If one's own material/property is subject to being used without permission by someone else, then suddenly obtaining proper permission/licensing makes sense and is totally fair, just, and the way it should be. :)

(this comment not meant negatively toward you, tomk358, just a general observation)
 
j said:
>It is easier to beg for forgiveness than it is for permission.

no offense dude, but I couldn't disagree more. It couldn't hurt to ask, at least in general terms, what would be necessary. You might be surprised how helpful they are and easy it can be. For all the work you go thru with actors, props, equipment and everything, it's nice to have the piece of mind and authorization that a permit will give you.
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It depends on where you are shooting. I go back and forth btween New York & Maryland. I n Maryland people are so jazzed about the fact that you are making movies they bend over backward, but in New YORK. The Gorilla gets the banana.
 
I get permission from the owners of houses and such. All it takes is a release, and if they're friends and family, what's the difference anyway? You should have no problem getting them. But if I'm shooting out at a park, I don't try to get anything.
 
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