Film Permits Yes or No?

October 25, 2006 11:03 PM

How big a deal is it to shoot a documentary in LA and New York without permits? (overseas tv crew)

We are a small 5 person overseas television crew shooting a doco in LA and New York on small pro dv cameras. Most of our shooting will be in private buildings, but we can't afford the insurance needed to get permits to shoot on the streets (Coverage of 1 million dollars in New York alone.).

From everything I've read, shooting on the streets should be fine if we don't use a boom or a tripod, also that the cops aren't too worried about small dv crews.

Just wondering if anyone has, or knows of anyone who has had experience with this? Any advice? What to do if we get caught? (I know this sounds slightly bad but we really are on a tight tight tight budget and have no choice)

Bonus Question: Should I be really worried about filming in Compton?

posted by DOUBLE A SIDE to media & arts (14 comments total)

My fiance (who's working with a documentary production company right now) says:

As far as he knows, LA will be more difficult than New York. You're right about the no boom or tripod (although sound is going to be an issue on the street without a boom).

If the camera you're using is a "prosumer" one such as a AGX-DV100 or one of equal or lesser prominance and size and you're caught by the authorities your best bet is to play it off as "making a video for a friend" or similar excuse. More likely than not, they'll just ask you to move along and not film there.

If your camera is higher tech than that, especially anything HD, claim you're doing a film project for school. Apologize and offer to move.

Some cities have laws concerning the number of people on the shoot. For instance, in Boston, if you've got no more than three people you don't need a permit. So it's worthwhile to research that.

In summary, it's not impossible to shoot without a permit, but you need to be low-key and not bug people who could complain to the cops, be aware of your surroundings, prepared with a cover story, and have a bit of luck on your side. If you do get caught, as long as you're cool about it and very polite, there's a good chance you'll be okay. Worst case scenerio, they can take away your camera and fine you, but he says he'd still do it.
posted by mostlymartha at 11:39 PM on October 25, 2006

Just curious--what gives city governments the right to require a permit if I want to use a boom and tripod to make a film? As long as I don't block sidewalks or stop traffic, why is a permit necessary?
posted by jbb7 at 12:03 AM on October 26, 2006

Because from a legal standpoint it's a lot easier and less ambiguous to just say "anyone filming with a crew of more than 3 or with a tripod needs a permit" than to say "well, if you're good about it and don't try to block the flow of pedestrian traffic then I suppose that's okay but if you make too much noise or we get complaints or you cause a public nuisance then you need a permit." Laws that call for vague judgement calls don't really work too well.
posted by Rhomboid at 12:11 AM on October 26, 2006

That's a good point. But say I do use a tripod and boom but don't disrupt anything—what gives the government the right to punish me?
posted by jbb7 at 12:46 AM on October 26, 2006

For the same reason that they can require you to register your car, outlaw murder, and force you to pay taxes. That is one of the properties of a government, the ability to make laws and govern.
posted by Rhomboid at 12:49 AM on October 26, 2006 [1 favorite has favorites]

I don't know if this is relevant, but you might also consider the impact you'd have if you don't look like corn-fed Midwesterners...in other words, if your crew is Arabic, in the US today someone is going to freak and call the cops. That's just the way my fellow countrymen help protect der Fatherland. Acthung, baby. You'll get more attention in ritzy suburbs or if you need to film government buildings, less in seedier areas.
posted by maxwelton at 12:52 AM on October 26, 2006

Joe Queenan, in his book The Unkindest Cut, mentions attending a seminar given by a sort of guru of guerilla film making. Queenan recounts how all the film student-y Linklater-wannabees in the audience were appalled because he advocated a sort of schlock, get-it-done-fast approach to the craft, but Queenan found him incredibly pragmatic and full of useful advice. In any event, the guru guy recommended skipping the permits and so forth and instead, carrying a stack of one hundred dollar bills (literally) and handing them out to people who complained about your crew shooting in a particular place or a particular manner. Keep in mind, this advice was given ten or fifteen years ago and even if it was good advice then, it may not be good advice now. I'm not a filmmaker, so I wouldn't know. The anecdote just always stuck in my mind.

Oh, and a similar piece of wisdom from the aforementioned Linklater: He (or one of his cast or crew; can't quite remember. Pretty sure it was in the Slacker book.) said that you should never cop to making a feature film or short. You should tell people you're shooting a mayonaise commercial.
posted by Clay201 at 3:32 AM on October 26, 2006

Head over to the D-Word and join - they're a US based documentary forum and they have excellent advice from people who actually work in the documentary film space - they have permit libraries, and a lot of legal resources online also.
posted by strawberryviagra at 6:04 AM on October 26, 2006

It's free, by the way - just need to prove you work in the field.
posted by strawberryviagra at 6:05 AM on October 26, 2006

Thanks for the advice. Seems like what I imagined would be the case. We're shooting with dvx-100s in mostly seedy neighbourhoods so we should be alright (I don't think we will have any $100 bills to flash around though).

I am slightly worried about the terrorist thing as I had a friend who was detained in London for six hours by the police. He was caught shooting a church without a permit... and he's an average looking European dude.

The D-word looks great strawberryviagra, I will just have to refresh my cv before I try signing up.
posted by DOUBLE A SIDE at 8:26 AM on October 26, 2006

I think key here is to find someone who is local and has a better idea of what is possible and what would get you into trouble.

call the film department at art center college of design in pasadena and tell them you have a small production, need a PA or two and wanted to provide an opportunity to students from term four up. they will help you out. or just drive up to their hillside campus (lida street) and post a note near one of the entrances on their boards. you will get flooded with calls. third option: post to craigslist. tons of film people looking for gigs there.

Should I be really worried about filming in Compton?
during daylight hours - no. the main streets full of cops anywaya and unless you are really unfortunate and run into something, you have nothing to worry about. but don't behave like a tourist at night in a dark alley. that's just asking for it, compton or not.
posted by krautland at 10:41 AM on October 26, 2006

Even in LA, it won't be too big a deal. Be discreet, use as little pro equipment as possible (e.g., use a nice lav mic rather than a boom; use a monopod, rather than a tripod, if possible; use natural lighting). But! Carry around as much proof that you're a professional filmmaker as possible -- shooting script, union cards, basically as much of your provable backstory as possible, in case the cops *do* stop you, to avoid the possible association with terrorism.
posted by felix at 10:44 AM on October 26, 2006

How do news crews get around this permit thing?
posted by Monkey0nCrack at 12:25 PM on October 26, 2006

Yes I would like to know about the News crew thing as well. In New Zealand small crews don't need to get a permit.
posted by DOUBLE A SIDE at 5:43 PM on October 26, 2006