Filming in public places....

JG009

I know there was a post up about photography in public places but whats the general law on filiming in public places?
Also what sort of forms and stuff do you need so that you can use footage in your project? Sorry if this is an ignorant question or was covered in stickies. Thanks.

singingfish

This is a sort of difficult one to give a comprehensive and general answer to as there are different regulations for different situations, and then exceptions to the rule. But here are a few general pointers on the issue:

In principle you don't need specific permission to film in public places. However, you will need permission if you will be causing any kind of obstruction (eg. blocking footpaths, closing roads, stopping traffic, etc.). If your cast, crew and equipment are of such a size that you will be causing even temporary obstructions you will need to have this cleared in advance. To get the clearance you will need to be able to show evidence of public liability insurance - and in any case this is very important. Nobody ever PLANS to have an accident, but if a member of the public trips over a camera box or cable and sues you you could be in a lot of trouble without insurance.

This applies in general to filming on the streets of a town or city. Depending on what you are doing and how long you expect to be in a location it is always worth contacting the local garda station and informing someone about what you are doing. If any member of the public asks you what you are doing it can be useful to let them know that Garda so and so and such and such a station knows all about it (make sure its a real person in case they check).

You won’t specifically have to have a release form for filming on a public street, but you need to very clearly bear the following in mind – none of the “real” people who happen to be there should be individually identifiable in your footage, otherwise you will need a release form and permission from them to use their image in your film; and none of the shops, businesses or other private features on display can be featured or used in the film without specific written permission from the owners. (So, if your character is walking down the street past a variety of stores and you never really show any of them clearly or focus on them too long, that’s fine. But if they stop up in in front of a store and look in the window, or meet somebody and have a conversation beside a clearly identifiable store you will need permission in that instance).

If you are filming inside a park or public building you will need to get specific permission for those locations. Again, before you even get into negotiating fees you will need to have your insurance sorted. In this situation you will need them to sign a location permit which will allow you access to the location on the dates/times you intend filming, and gives you the permission to use the footage in your production.

If you are ever in doubt you should ask the relevant town/city council. They will usually be able to advise you on what you will need.

CanonF

Hi Singing Fish

Do you know if production companies are allowed to set up floodlights and generators outside your house late at night without informing the residents or getting permission?
Thanks

AnonoBoy

CanonF wrote: »

Hi Singing Fish

Do you know if production companies are allowed to set up floodlights and generators outside your house late at night without informing the residents or getting permission?
Thanks

As long as they have council permission and Garda clearance then they don't need your permission. Unless of course they're shooting on your property.

They should, as a matter of courtesy, informed residents the times they'd be filming at but I don't think they're legally obliged to.

afatbollix

Are they shooting your house in the background?

You miight be able to complain if it is in the shot. Because its so expensive to shoot they should just pay you off.. You will be looking for the production manager

tricky D

We've some filming going on next door starting tomorrow. They've sent around two letters with good information and have offered a contribution to the residents association. This level of courtesy is a good standard to set yourselves. Cooperation with the residents is strongly advised. Filming is very easy to ruin if you know how.

Another important point is having your insurance sorted properly. In the event of disputes over damage and other liabilities, the production company is assumed guilty by default and must prove innocence, contrary to the norm.

Screen Producers Ireland have a shed load of resources on these and other matters for their members.

Miguel_Sanchez

afatbollix wrote: »

Are they shooting your house in the background?

You miight be able to complain if it is in the shot. Because its so expensive to shoot they should just pay you off.. You will be looking for the production manager

As long as they're shooting from public property and not shooting in your windows invading your privacy then they don't actually need your permission if your house features in the background of a shot.

They won't 'pay you off'. If you complain a lot they might just move the shot to shut you up is all.

Galvasean

There arent many productions in this country with the finance to 'pay off' people. I think people need to get out of the mindset that filmmakers = $$$$$!

Di0genes

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

As long as they're shooting from public property and not shooting in your windows invading your privacy then they don't actually need your permission if your house features in the background of a shot.

They won't 'pay you off'. If you complain a lot they might just move the shot to shut you up is all.

There is the infamous and true story from the shoot of "Notting Hill". A night shoot just off the Edgeware road, a resident would wait till they were turning over , and begin to play music loud enough to disrupt filming. Absolutely legal and above board. Julie Roberts was finally dispatched and personally asked him to stop, and he agreed.

smiling sadly

CanonF wrote: »

Hi Singing Fish

Do you know if production companies are allowed to set up floodlights and generators outside your house late at night without informing the residents or getting permission?
Thanks

Actually it is normally a council condition that residents are notified by leaflet/letter in advance of filming.

Permission is not required from the resident, only the council. Also the generators are silent so shouldn't be an issue. It's more the talking crew that's annoying