What factors determine if you're able to shoot in public locations?

A

Arch Stanton

Member
Here's three examples.

Example 1

  • I'm in a park recording two actors with the intention of doing a serious/professional project.
Example 2

  • I'm in a park recording two friends with the intention of doing a fun/personal/amateur project.
Example 3

  • I'm in a park recording two family members with the intention of capturing memories.
Now, let's say one setup is discreet (handheld) and another setup is more elaborate (tripod, shotgun mic, etc.)

Is it intention, equipment, or both that decides permission?
 
Last edited:
The law varies from country to country, and even city to city. In practice, law enforcement is unlikely to be interested unless you're annoying other park attendees or damaging property or the property owner complains.

But you might as well find out who owns the park (e.g. the local city council?) and what their policy is on people filming on their property. They may be extremely helpful. If not, e.g. they refuse permission or insist on expensive fees etc, then you can make your own decision re perhaps 'illegally' filming at 7am on Sunday or whatever.
 
clang said:
The law varies from country to country, and even city to city. In practice, law enforcement is unlikely to be interested unless you're annoying other park attendees or damaging property or the property owner complains.

But you might as well find out who owns the park (e.g. the local city council?) and what their policy is on people filming on their property. They may be extremely helpful. If not, e.g. they refuse permission or insist on expensive fees etc, then you can make your own decision re perhaps 'illegally' filming at 7am on Sunday or whatever.
Click to expand...

Definitely true. Some smaller cities by me have no need for permits because they don't have the ...I can't think of the word...capacity? For it. They don't have a counsel that deals with filming. Hence, no permits required. The next town over, however, charges huge fees and requires insurance and police officers on set.
 
i've read about people filming in big cities with no problem... granted that they look like tourists (i.e. no tripod, minimal equipment/crew/actors).

it looks like you want to shoot in the woods. you should probably ask your local city hall (or park service).

but... i was actually thinking this today as i was walking a dog in a park. it was a really nice park that went into the woods (city park turns into forest service jurisdiction). there were only a few people hiking or jogging on the trail. very cinematic.

i'm not a lawyer. however, i don't think anyone's going to be bothered by half a dozen people mucking around in the woods. but... if you have a large crew, then it's a different matter.
 
Cities are also worried about insurance - part of the permitting process is making sure you have insurance. Interesting story about your 3 options...
I was shooting a short dramatic film in a local park (involving a guy and a girl, both around 25 years old). The cops pulled up half way through and asked what we were doing. I told them that the couple was getting married and we were making a short little video for the wedding. They said, "Good luck", and drove away.
 
I just shot some History Channel-type recreations of Hitler and some SS officers and used a portion of our local riverfront park for the shoot. I wanted to play by the rules, as my soldiers were packing machine guns and I didn't want the shoot closed down before we got our shots. I had to reassure the parks department the weapons were non-firing and we wouldn't be sounding off any type of explosive reports.

Our spot was out of the way so there was no need to block or redirect traffic. We shot early so there was no worry about civillians and their safety. Our town had a rating for risk when it came to liability. Luckily, we rated "0" and thus required no insurance.

I took a folder by the police dept. that contained pics of our prop weapons, maps showing our shooting spot and all contact info as well as a copy of the permit. I kept a copy myself and had it onhand the day of the shoot. It all went perfectly. We were done so fast I let the actors go early because of the heat. We ended up having a handful of police cruisers coming by to check out Hitler and his minions of evil. I gave all of them the lowdown and they'll get invited to my sneek preview later this summer.

I'm sure all of this varies from town to town. But after officials saw that I was prepared and serious, they were surprisingly cool.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top