Frequently Unasked Questions: Permits

This week I’ll be taking a look at some issues facing online video creators that I’ve rarely heard mentioned, much less discussed, when it comes to producing video for the web. Today I’ll discuss permits, because if you’re filming in public spaces, you may need at least one.

I know, I know, I hate to harsh everyone’s buzz — especially all the libertarians here in Silicon Valley. But there are these things called laws and statutes, and whether you’re Jerry Bruckheimer or Camkid Q. Vlogger, they apply to you. Ninety-eight percent of the time, assuming you’re not filming a thrilling car chase down city streets, you’ll probably fly under the radar. But the last thing you need is to have your shoot interrupted by a police officer, grumpy from hypoglycemia due to insufficient donut ingestion, demanding paperwork.

Call Your Local Film Commission: Or whatever bureaucratic fiefdom presides in the municipality you want to shoot in. Where I live, it’s the San Francisco Film Commission, where I called and spoke briefly with Laurel Barsotti who was very friendly and helpful — which I’ll bet you’ll find is the norm. People generally don’t work in small city government positions for the glamor and wealth (think good health benefits and occasional use of a municipal vehicle).

Laurel pointed out that not only would shooting on city streets and sidewalks require a permit, but shooting in parks and inside city buildings would require special permission from the relevant city agencies. Permits are generally enforced by the local police department, and getting caught without one could result in anything from a stern warning or request to disperse to a fine and, if you really piss them off, even arrest for potentially related charges like trespassing. Permits often require that you’ve studied up on the next topic…

Getting Insurance: There is a whole business of insurers specifically for the film and television industry, and they insure everything from small industrial films to big-budget features. Search Google for “Film Production Insurance” and you’ll get an idea. Obviously, the bigger your production, the more likely you’ll need — and have a budget for — production insurance. But honestly, do you really want to be the first person who actually needs insurance and doesn’t have it? Even a renters or homeowners insurance policy may cover equipment stolen from automobiles or on trips. Especially if you ever want to use…

Stunts and Special Effects: While I don’t see very many web shows employing kung fu wirework, when I was in film school, every 18-year-old freshman wanted a scene or three of somebody spraying a city plaza with blanks at extras wired with squibs running pell mell (oh, to be young and stupid). For that, you’d not only have to hire professional pyrotechnicians, but pay a cop and maybe even a fire marshall overtime to observe the shoot. Is it a costly racket meant to line the coffers of city government? Maybe. Do you want to be mistaken for a violent criminal or terrorist? No. And don’t think all bets are off when…

Shooting on Private Property: If it’s your own private property, go crazy, though neighbors could complain about noise or light. If you rent? Well, that could get complicated. If it’s officially someone else’s private property, you won’t necessarily need a permit, but you will want written permission from the landlord or authorized proxy. You know all those “Thanks to Rocco’s Wine Bar and Shooting Range” credits you see at the end of movies? That’s because permission can usually be traded for publicity, and who doesn’t want to see their name in the credits? It all boils down to the magic of showbiz…

Creativity and Common Sense: Those are your bread and butter when shooting or dreaming up a project. If you can’t or won’t get a permit, think of another way. While running away from the police making guerrilla films a la Ed Wood has an undeniable romance, as Wood proved, it’s a romance that often proves mutually exclusive with financial success. There are people whose job it is to keep track of all this stuff — they’re called producers, and they’re not just there to get in the way of your vision. Learn their mysterious ways and it could just cover your ass.

For more on permits and rules, please check out this guide from the inimitable John Waters, who would know from imposing odd requests on local city officials.