Shooting A Small Indie Movie in NY/NJ at DVinfo.net

Sola Osofisan · February 22nd, 2004, 04:10 PM

Hi,

I'm a stranger to the NY/NJ area where I hope to shoot a small script I have penned. Anyone familiar with the way things work hereabouts for this sort of thing?

If you have done it once or you know of a website that I can hit, kindly post a link. I understand there are licence issues?

I have exteriors on the some main streets of NY and NJ
I plan to shoot in the surburbs
I plan to shoot in an NJ Transit Train
I hope to grab a short sequence in a NY park
I hope to shoot within Penn NY
I have scenes in Apt building corridors and stairs
The rest will be indoors

Kindly advice...What's the best way to shoot a small movie in these places as an individual? Are there LEGAL requirements? Are there LEGAL ways to get around them? I don't have much resources to throw around.

Appreciate it.

Be well.

Kevin Burnfield · February 22nd, 2004, 09:37 PM

Probably the place to start is the NYC Film Office, Here's a link:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/index/index.shtml

I seem to recall them having some details on things but they are pretty good about getting information for you if you contact them.

Be sure and mention it's a 'no budget' or a 'student film'.

Dylan Couper · February 23rd, 2004, 12:53 AM

If you use the Search function at the top of the screen, I'm pretty certain you will find a few threads that have explored almost exactly the same question you just asked.

Sola Osofisan · February 23rd, 2004, 04:36 AM

My apologies for the repetition. Will do a search now. And thanks for the link.

Sola Osofisan · February 25th, 2004, 05:58 PM

Couldn't find anything relevant in my search.

But I got this feedback from the NYC Mayor's office and I decided to post it for the benefit of other with similar questions:
-----------------------------

Dear Ms. Osofisan,

The only kind of permit that we can issue without insurance is a
still photography permit. However, "no budget" jobs often do not need permits. If your cast & crew number less than 5 and you will
not be obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic you should be fine. Please keep in mind the content of your film. For instance, any scene involving a fire arm or violence does need a permit, regardless of its size. As a general rule of thumb, if you look like a tourist or you are making a home movie you probably do not need a permit. Just exercise common sense & be safe.

Also, these rules apply to sidewalks & city property only. Some
parks might have different guidelines.

Good luck with your project,

Alex Cohen

February 22nd, 2004, 04:10 PM	#1
Sola Osofisan Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 31	Shooting A Small Indie Movie in NY/NJ Hi, I'm a stranger to the NY/NJ area where I hope to shoot a small script I have penned. Anyone familiar with the way things work hereabouts for this sort of thing? If you have done it once or you know of a website that I can hit, kindly post a link. I understand there are licence issues? I have exteriors on the some main streets of NY and NJ I plan to shoot in the surburbs I plan to shoot in an NJ Transit Train I hope to grab a short sequence in a NY park I hope to shoot within Penn NY I have scenes in Apt building corridors and stairs The rest will be indoors Kindly advice...What's the best way to shoot a small movie in these places as an individual? Are there LEGAL requirements? Are there LEGAL ways to get around them? I don't have much resources to throw around. Appreciate it. Be well.

February 23rd, 2004, 12:53 AM	#3
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	If you use the Search function at the top of the screen, I'm pretty certain you will find a few threads that have explored almost exactly the same question you just asked. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

February 25th, 2004, 05:58 PM	#5
Sola Osofisan Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 31	Feedback from NYC Couldn't find anything relevant in my search. But I got this feedback from the NYC Mayor's office and I decided to post it for the benefit of other with similar questions: ----------------------------- Dear Ms. Osofisan, The only kind of permit that we can issue without insurance is a still photography permit. However, "no budget" jobs often do not need permits. If your cast & crew number less than 5 and you will not be obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic you should be fine. Please keep in mind the content of your film. For instance, any scene involving a fire arm or violence does need a permit, regardless of its size. As a general rule of thumb, if you look like a tourist or you are making a home movie you probably do not need a permit. Just exercise common sense & be safe. Also, these rules apply to sidewalks & city property only. Some parks might have different guidelines. Good luck with your project, Alex Cohen

February 22nd, 2004, 09:37 PM	#2
Kevin Burnfield Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 363	Probably the place to start is the NYC Film Office, Here's a link: http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/index/index.shtml I seem to recall them having some details on things but they are pretty good about getting information for you if you contact them. Be sure and mention it's a 'no budget' or a 'student film'.

February 23rd, 2004, 04:36 AM	#4
Sola Osofisan Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 31	My apologies for the repetition. Will do a search now. And thanks for the link.