Q:Legalities of shooting in national parks, city parks?
 

Anyone know the details on this.

Do you need permits for shooting in California state and city parks?

What if you actually hope later to make a few bucks with your film? Does that change things?

Thanks,
~Marcus:)

Can't comment on California, but if it's a NATIONAL park, you might run into some issues. I can tell you for a fact that if you set up any type of camera on a tripod in Washington, DC. and your friendly local Park Service guy/gal wonders by, they'll ask to see your permit. (maybe not all of them, but at least the one with whom I had an unfortunate experience.)

The same goes for the St. Louis Arch, which is a national park. Same sort of experience.....heck, maybe I'm just unlucky.

db

Marcus:

This general issue has been discussed in our Wildlife cinematographers' forum. Visit the thread below and see if one of them answers your question.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...hlight=permits

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...hlight=permits

I'm glad you asking the question here before you go out and shoot. As David points out, not having a permit (when one is required) can result in difficulties when shooting in National Park lands. Whether the same holds true for State or City parks various on jurisdiction.

Also, I suggest that this thread be moved to that forum as it will receive the proper attention.

Hi Jeff,

I remember that discussion in the Wildlife forum. Thanks for linking to it. I think we should leave this one here as it doesn't necessarily pertain to 'wildlife'. He was asking more specifically about California state and city parks. I'm hoping someone from California who has direct knowledge will jump in.

-gb-

SF golden gate park ...
16mm Aaton camera on large tripod .. soundman and boom-man near , police will( did) did ask to see permits which we had none .. gave us 10 min to wrap it up or they would take equipment ..

GL2, sony FX1, DVX100 on 503 manfrotto head 3183legs .. same area in golden gate park , wireless mic's ... police have never said a word ...

so it all comes down to how it looks ... if you have a 2/3" full size camera you are going to be asked for a permit ... you have a hand size camera with only 2 persons around = no problem .... you have hand size camera with crew of 10 you are going to be asked for permits ...

do these types of permits cost money?
 

do these types of permits cost money?

Depends on how you define money :)

Yes, there are permit fees associated with many national parks but the major issue is YOU ARE DEALING WITH A GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY. That means paperwork which means time which equals money. Also, finding the right person to make the decision is sometimes a real adventure. If the footage you intend to shoot is "for profit", you may have other issues with which to contend. If it's a "documentary", they may ask if you know Michael Moore :)

Good Luck - db

Short film
 

This is so dumb! Now all of my scripts that I have written and not shot yet, I can't shoot! Man this make me mad!
I'm going to make a documentary about this, and how the gov. is taking away our rights! And that because of this the would can not see what the country we live in use to look like, as much anymore. I'll try and get some interviews with the NPAR, and then show it in a film festival next year (That should get some good points)! But no.. really... This is a big problem for us videographers... This is something that needs to be dealt with... And it is. Lets just hope that we win! Right!?!

Now more than ever I see the brilliance of George Lucas.

Paint everything Green, stay in control.

Nice! As sad as it is thats what we are going to have to do for now... Unless we pay big bucks!

"Now all of my scripts that I have written and not shot yet, I can't shoot! "

i don't get why you can't shoot ?
you get a permit where needed and then you shoot ...
if you can't afford the permit - you sign up for a "class" and then use your "student status" to get a free permit ..

IMO if you have "it" ( as in the drive to make movies/shorts/doc etc) you'll find a way ... if you can't work within the "permit " system then perhaps one should look at other area's of production to work ( maybe post ) or another field ?

i see noting wrong with the permit process .. i find that when we shoot in parks/pretty much anywhere ( actors/crew = 15-30+ persons) we create traffic jams - then a number of persons will stop to watch - all this has to be controlled so others can enjoy park - the worst is when you have 2-3 crews in same area shooting - with permit process you avoid the overlapping of other crews and the traffic is kept down ...

For state parks see the California Film Commission website http://www.film.ca.gov/state/film/film_homepage.jsp

There is a nice FAQ on permits. Basically, there is no fee for permits on state owned property such as state parks. But you will need a $1 million insurance policy and if your shoot involves blowing things up or interfers with traffic you may need to pay for the cops or the fire department.

City parks and national (federal) parks also require a permit. You'd have to consult the appropriate agency to find out the specifics.

In most cases you need the insurance to get the permit and it doesn't matter if you're a pro or a student. But students may be able to get an insurance certificate through their university.

This is also a good site on permits although it mainly refers to still photography: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/photo-permits/

Take a look here:

http://www.nps.gov/dena/home/visitor...uidelines.html rvrn though this next article would scare people.

http://photoshopnews.com/2006/05/01/...location-fees/

This has already been discussed in this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...hlight=permits

If you look at Post #21 (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost....&postcount=21), it was clarified that 1-2 member crews with just a camera and a tripod operating in areas normally open to the public are exempt from location fees for now. But note that they may start charging fees next year and there is a period for public comment so if you don't like these fees, make sure you let them know!

Thanks guys for helping me understand this a little better... I still can't afford a permit tho. So I'll have to try really hard to get a free "pass".

Where would I go to get one of these permits, or free "pass"?