Re: Anyone asking you guys for a shooting permit?

E

ectobuilder

Veteran
Re: Anyone asking you guys for a shooting permit?

I've always owned a DSLR. No matter where I brought that thing I was never asked to apply for permission to shoot.

But with the NEX-FS100, with it's DSLR Killer looks, I can't seem to go anywhere to shoot without people asking me for a filming permit.

Like yesterday I was at my local park and the park ranger came and asked if I had a permit to shoot film.

Also I went into Starbucks and the manager said that they don't allow media into their shop!

At the same time people with iphones and blackberrys are filming to their hearts content without any need for permit.

Anyone here find that the professional look of this camera is causing such headaches too? I think I may stick the pancake lens on it for incognito shooting as it makes it look smaller and less intrusive.

NOTE: In both instances I explained that this is really a 'consumer' level camera and that it just looked professional and in both instances they allowed me to shoot. My justification here is that it was using SD Cards instead of SxS cards or some expensive Sony SRW1 module LOLS!
 
Permitting and permissions are part and parcel of being a professional. If you want to grow into filming projects with a larger scope, it's something you had better get used to.

I'm not saying that stealing shots with a DSLR is "wrong," but a professional camera is going to mean that, in many cases, you have to do things a professional is expected to do.
 
Stephen Mick said:
Permitting and permissions are part and parcel of being a professional. If you want to grow into filming projects with a larger scope, it's something you had better get used to.

I'm not saying that stealing shots with a DSLR is "wrong," but a professional camera is going to mean that, in many cases, you have to do things a professional is expected to do.
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Under which circumstance is permission needed? If I am shooting for my own self then is permission needed? None of these shots are for corporate nor for profit. Just to test the camera's abilities.

My point is that people are stereotyping cameras. Why treat people with DSLR's differently then people with NXCAM's?

I know I know Society.
 
Technically, you should have permission for filming on any public or private property that you do not own or control. The DSLRs work for "incognito" shooting because they are so inconspicuous. That's how you're able to get away with more. But generally, the moment you place a tripod and pull out a professional mic, you attract attention, deservedly so.

It's not about "stereotyping." The FS-100 is a professional video camera, and will likely attract the appropriate attention.
 
It's weird. Nobody cares if you take a photo in a mall. But if you want to take 24 photos per second, security is gonna be all over you in a heartbeat. Kinda lame.

I agree with permits for commercial projects to keep things safe and to protect property owners rights. But for just me and a camera, tripod or not, c'mon...
 
Be careful on forest service land. Those guys are the biggest stiffs about filming on the forest service land, which actually makes absolutely no sense since we pay for the land through taxes and such.

Its something like a 5k fine for not having a permit (although I only know one person that actually gets the permit).
 
True, you have to get permits to work with peace of mind and to bring in a good crew to get the job done right.

But, sometimes it's just darn near impossible to get a permit for some locations, or time does not allow it. Even bigger productions like "Black Swan" needed to cheat a few shots in the subway, and "Lost in Translation" stole shots on Tokyo streets with a minimul crew.

This is why for me, DSLRs like the GH2 still have a place. And why I hope they continue to improve as video imagers.
 
welcome to the new police state. It's not just big cameras. Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iMr76atjUA
But S. Mick is right. Big tripods, sliders, external mics, and matte boxes tend to draw the attention. Go and get the permit, then when approached by an officer who probably can't really give you the citation order, pull out your permit and ask him to move because he's in your shot.
 
If read all the laws, you probably wouldn't want to buy a video camera. You can't use it legally anywhere without written permission or a permit. Its against the law to take a video of anything that is recognizable, unless you have permission of the owner. It's almost as controlled as carrying a gun. The only place I feel safe is doing something on my own property, or doing a wedding for someone.
 
So how do news organizations do it?

They have to do so many news reports in one day. How does that work? Do they have a year's worth of permits stocked up like bus tickets?
 
dustylense said:
welcome to the new police state. It's not just big cameras. Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iMr76atjUA
But S. Mick is right. Big tripods, sliders, external mics, and matte boxes tend to draw the attention. Go and get the permit, then when approached by an officer who probably can't really give you the citation order, pull out your permit and ask him to move because he's in your shot.
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So the legal grounds was the "Patriot Act" (as cited by the officer in the video).

The Patriot Act from what I know is pretty much the modern day version of Marshall Law.

I don't live in America, but I noticed the video was uploaded in 2011. What is the state of the Patriot Act today?
 
And I liked the way law enforcement always approaches the camera operator, FROM THE SIDE! Because they too don't want to be filmed.

They however don't understand acoustics as many of our mics are omni-directional or cardioid meaning they can capture a wide dispersion area of sound.
 
Try shooting near the outside of a state building in down town LA. Homeland security will roll up on you in a hurry.

Part of getting a permit in many cities is you have to have the area posted with signs a week or 48 hours ahead of time. This lets the cops know and the neighbors don't complain as much if they are prepared and know there is a permit.

Be prepared for idiots that will try to claim you damaged there lawn or fence when no one went near it and it was obviously termites.

Most of Orange County is a lot more relaxed. We had the police approach us in one park. We had a movie sign up, but still they wanted to make sure the sci-fi looking guns were props and then left us alone.

Now you know why so many movies are shot in studios. And even big budget pictures are often shot in real people's homes.

Once you get into more suburban areas it gets easier. I always get a property owner's release if I can though. Small towns are often happy to have you because you bring business and recognition to the town.
 
Just got back today from a shoot for fun at the Forest Service operated Ocoee Whitewater Center in TN. I was using a large tripod and HPX170. Saw and chatted with several Rangers. Just said I was shooting video for fun. There was no problem.
 
If you plan on using anything you shoot in anything for profit you had better have a permit or you will very well find yourself in court. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure especially when that cure is handed out through the legal system.
 
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dustylense said:
welcome to the new police state. It's not just big cameras. Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iMr76atjUA
But S. Mick is right. Big tripods, sliders, external mics, and matte boxes tend to draw the attention. Go and get the permit, then when approached by an officer who probably can't really give you the citation order, pull out your permit and ask him to move because he's in your shot.
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Ugh. How is "welcome to the new police state" at all helpful, relevant, or even true?

When filming on private property, the owner of the property dictates whether or not you can film on said property, not the state. Starbucks isn't publicly owned last time I checked.

When filming on public lands (like in National Parks) then you and I are the owners. I have NEVER been stopped when it's me, my DSLR, and my tripod. And I've never seen anyone else stopped.

BUT.... When you bring out larger gear and a crew, then you're into territory where your activities can impact other people's enjoyment of the park. There are several purposes for requiring a permit for this kind of shooting, but the primary purpose to make sure YOUR needs can be accommodated while also making sure the needs of the rest of the public are also being met. And when you're shooting for profit, paying a small fee helps to maintain the very place you found so compelling as to cause you to go through the trouble and expense of shooting it in the first place. So really, what's the problem?

As for the video you linked to, they clearly have a problem in Baltimore with harassing people who are not interfering with anyone. Thanks for that link.

Mark Williams said:
Just got back today from a shoot for fun at the Forest Service operated Ocoee Whitewater Center in TN. I was using a large tripod and HPX170. Saw and chatted with several Rangers. Just said I was shooting video for fun. There was no problem.
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Here's a case in point:
Kraut69 said:
You can't use it legally anywhere without written permission or a permit. Its against the law to take a video of anything that is recognizable, unless you have permission of the owner. It's almost as controlled as carrying a gun. The only place I feel safe is doing something on my own property, or doing a wedding for someone.
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You're wrong about this. If you shoot something that is recognizable and is private property, and you turn around and make a profit off of it, then the owner has a right to sue you. That's a whole lot different from saying it's illegal.

ectobuilder said:
So how do news organizations do it?

They have to do so many news reports in one day. How does that work? Do they have a year's worth of permits stocked up like bus tickets?
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No. This is where the 1st amendment comes into play. So many people mis-understand the first amendment..... Oh, and news media can always be asked to leave private property. If they, they are trespassing same as anyone else.


phudsontx said:
If you plan on using anything you shoot in anything for profit you had better have a permit or you very well find yourself in court. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure especially when than cure is handed out through the legal system.
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+1
 
keylight said:
Ugh. How is "welcome to the new police state" at all helpful, relevant, or even true?

Try and take your bare camera, af100, fs100, hvx200, hell even a DV cam and put it on some sticks at a park, beach, sidewalk, all sorts of places just to shoot some "hobby" footage. Chances are you are going to be stopped by cops or security. I was hassled with a Gh2 on my travel carbon fiber sticks with a small fluid head on a state park filming a pond and a tree. Imagine had I had my AF100 and such. The officer even threatened to take my camera if I refused to "leave", not stop filming, but leave as in I'm not welcome to enjoy the park anymore because I have a camera.
So yes, POLICE STATE! It exists. Especially if on tripod. And it's getting harder to "video" tape/record in all sorts of public arenas. Did you not watch that video? Exact treatment I got at a PUBLIC PARK taking images for fun.
Of course get a permit if in production. But we're talking about footage with your Prosumer device in public domain.

And, in fact, Starbucks is publicly owned.
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Mark Williams said:
Just got back today from a shoot for fun at the Forest Service operated Ocoee Whitewater Center in TN. I was using a large tripod and HPX170. Saw and chatted with several Rangers. Just said I was shooting video for fun. There was no problem.
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But they approached you didn't they? How would it have been for ya if you had a model, like a wife or girlfriend? Even for fun that would have possibly changed the outcome.
 
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