Picture Car Driving In Los Angeles... rules?

Ryan Patrick O'Hara

Ryan Patrick O'Hara

Veteran
Hello everyone!

Before I arrive back in Los Angeles and pick up the telephones, I was curious if anyone here knew the regulations of filming within a moving vehicle in the city of Los Angeles?

My circumstances are complicated. I guess you could always say "as long as they don't catch you..." and etc. But I always try to do everything the right and professional way.... first, at least. ;)

All the shots are within the car and the subjects/action are in the back seats, meaning the driver is not being photographed... is it illegal to have the picture car driving? Do I need to hire a flatbed truck or tow it? If so, do I need to close down those streets for the shot?

There are, however two shots, which I do want to get. Both require a car mount on the hood of the vehicle. What does this require? Anything different as far as permission and etc.?

There are NOT any chases, high speed, stunts, tricks etc. Just keeping in the flow of traffic, driving normal.

I love LA, but they make filming complicated when compared to smaller cities who do not have filming regulations. Some places I could rig up a car and do whatever I want. LA cops are smart people when it comes to knowing film industry regulations.

Any help is appreciated.

PS: I am guessing having some lights off of the vehicle is a bad idea too.

Thanks for the help. Of course when I get back to LA and after it is the holiday season, I'll be investigating these rules myself. Just wanted a jump start.

Best,

-rpo
 
I know this doesnt answer your original question but just incase it proves to be too dificult to get releases in LA.... How about doing it in post?

For the last 2-3 years we have opted out for doing almost all vehicle shots in the studio.

Just watch this sample from stargate digital:
http://www.studiodaily.com/main/technique/casestudies/6503.html

The shot is half way into the samples after the russian metro. This is primarily a flame suite job but you can replicate the car scenes using simpler compositing tools like after effects without any loss in quality.

Just an idea.
 
Ah. Thank you for the reply, but.... in my case this is not possible.

This film is for the Pro8mm film competition. The entire film is to be shot on one roll of super 8 film with all editing, special effects, titles and etc done in camera. No post work, no sound.

;)

Thanks though.
Your solution may be the saving grace for others who can afford that luxury of post work.
Nice website too! As a cinematographer, I think that takes all the fun out of the job, but whatevs! :)
 
as long as you follow traffic laws, the only restriction is you can't shoot while driving... just like talking on the phone.
Lose articles are not a factor till ya get on a race track.
;)
You'll be fine with a camera inside and one on a mount outside... again, perfectly legal today in every state, as long as nothing is reaching out passed posted quidlines..
 
Awesome! Good to hear! Of course I'll be looking into it regardless, this is great news.

I was worried that it might have been illegal for a car mount because of the possibility of distracting other drivers. :beer::beer:
 
there are only restrictions on how far it can stick out from the car.
...and you can red flag those temporarily and still be legal.
You are fine with a mount on the hood, aiming though the windshield.
I hooked up my rear view video camera and a front spoiler cam to iso recorders too. These cameras are almost completely invisible and again, perfectly legal in every state.
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
All the shots are within the car and the subjects/action are in the back seats, meaning the driver is not being photographed... is it illegal to have the picture car driving? Do I need to hire a flatbed truck or tow it? If so, do I need to close down those streets for the shot?
-rpo
Click to expand...

I don't know what dispensation one need to get for something like this... but I believe it is illegal in California to have any 'passengers' in a towed vehicle, whether a trailer, or car, or whatever... how movie makers get a waiver for that for film work, I don't know.

And given my limited knowledge about permits in LA, you probably do have to have a permit, even if you camera, crew, talent are crammed into the same car... And of course, this would only probably be noticed if the officer you passed, as the car swerved out of control, noticed your camera mounted on a bar or whatever...
 
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