Permits: How do I get them?

[x002657]

I need to tape various bridges for a doc I'm working on.

Do I need permits? Does that depend on the state/city/town I'm shooting in?

I also want to tape from my SUV while driving over bridges. Shooting through my open sun-roof would be great for my purpose, kinda' like opening scene of "The Soprano's". Any suggestions on a rig to do that? I will likely be alone, and driving the car, so I need stability.

All suggestions welcome.


x

 

[TwistedLincoln]

I need to tape various bridges for a doc I'm working on.

Do I need permits? Does that depend on the state/city/town I'm shooting in?

I also want to tape from my SUV while driving over bridges. Shooting through my open sun-roof would be great for my purpose, kinda' like opening scene of "The Soprano's". Any suggestions on a rig to do that? I will likely be alone, and driving the car, so I need stability.

All suggestions welcome.

x

I'm sure it depends on the city/town, but I would be extra careful to get all the proper permits while shooting around bridges. You don't want Homeland Security thinking you're casing the area to blow it up...

 

[gco]

Ditto.
Might want to start with the local police first and see what they have to say.
About 2 years ago, there were some people shooting video of certain buildings and alleyways in downtown Rosslyn, VA from a vehicle. The FBI got on it immediately.
From freinds of mine in the Federal Gov, this type of thing has been happening and continues to happen throughout the nation ----buildings, bridges, power plants, train stations, etc, and it doesnt make the news. There is definitely a heightened sensitivity to it within various branches of law enforcement. Do your homework first.

 

[mrWr0ng]

Get to know the people that work there and it'll be easier. If you're a nobody and it's a big town, the permit office will never get back to you. Meeting up with some folks who do the maintenance on some local bridges out here, they just told everybody in-house when I was gonna film and who I was, so that nobody would think I was suspicious.