Would I Need a Permit for This?

MrJay · May 21, 2013

I scouted a little today and found the perfect location. It's literally across the street from my old house so I know the area really well. It's like a park that goes back for like 200 Acres, and from my understanding the park is public because I see people playing around do whatever in there all the time. There is rarely anyone ever in there, and it's like a retreat facility with a bunch of trails. (also saw a bunch of pictures online of people back in the woods there.) however when I went there today I saw a cop strolling through checking around, so this raises some questions as to if the park is actually public or not. I grew up and went in there all the time without ever any problems of trespassing when I was a kid.

My crew is going to be like 3-4 ppl max, with 3-4 Actors max. So very few people and very little equipment. Do you think this sounds fine or what would you do? lol I just don't want to get everything set up and then a cop comes by and tells us to leave. Thoughts?

kjones · May 22, 2013

MrJay,

If I were in your shoes, I'd head down to your city or county zoning department (there also may be online maps/guidance) and *quietly* find out if the property is privately held, public, BLM, National Forest, etc. Some folks get really interested if they see cameras (or your actor looks like L. DiCaprio) on the property... but could care less if it's some kids having fun.

Sounds like a property I had a great time playing on as a kid in Illinois, and to this day I have no idea who owned it....

Best of luck! --And remember it's often ea$ier to ask for permission than to beg for forgiveness.

knightly · May 22, 2013

Also remember, when asking permission (if you choose to do so), that in your argument - public parks are set aside as places of recreation for the citizenry - of which you are a part, and you take your recreation in the form of filming narrative stories. It would be no different than if someone were to be painting in the park... which would be fully legal and not even scoffed at... I'd personally ask (and have done so where I live)... so I know that I'm allowed to shoot in any public park free of charge and consideration.

MrJay · May 22, 2013

http://www.simpsonwood.org/

there's the link to the place I'm trying to shoot on. It doesn't really say anything about if it's public or not.

jax_rox · May 22, 2013

Get in touch with them:
http://www.simpsonwood.org/pages/detail/1560

Looks like private property to me - whether it's council-owned or not, you'll need some sort of permission. Just let them know you plan to shoot a film (make sure you let them know the size/lack of size - ie: you won't be bringing in cranes and dollies and multiple HMIs etc.) and see what they say.

8salacious9 · May 22, 2013

the only thing they will do is ask you to move on, your best bet is to film what you can while you can rather than having no shot at all, Iv filmed in westfields stratford shopping centre without permission, the security is much higher than that of the park, I went inside filmed for 10 minutes, 2 guards came up to me asking what i was doing, simply said i was filming for my college project to make a fake video for a charity song, (music video) the guy said i had to get permission but as it was a sunday it was closed, i said i had to get the vid done by tomorrow to present to class and that i didnt know the rules but if i could just have 5 more minutes while he escorted me round then id go, he said it was fine and i got my footage from a place which usually requires a hefty filming fee or free for some special occasions.

dont chance being told no, do it! unless of course its a government building, then your just asking for trouble

Blade_Jones · May 25, 2013

If it was in LA they'd charge like $900 for a permit. In Atlanta a permit is probably like $50. Call and find out if they are gauging people on permits. If not get a permit. If so then do some "rogue shooting" without a permit. With a small crew nobody will ever know.

knightly · May 25, 2013

All well and good until you get sued or your camera gear confiscated.

Blade_Jones · May 25, 2013

The city won't sue you for shooting at a park or confiscate your gear. They'll tell you to leave if they happen to even notice.

I once was standing on a Hollywood street corner with a crew of two shooting B-roll footage and a cop came to a stop and turned right past us. The partner cop in the passenger seat just stared at us as they drove by. Never saw them again.

jax_rox · May 26, 2013

I'd rather get a permit and make the day, than not get a permit and only be able to get one or two takes of one shot before being moved on.

cameronchapman · Oct 29, 2013

Look at the footer of the Simpsonwood website. It's pretty clear it's owned by the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. It's also made clear on the "History" page on the website.

Considering it's owned by a church, I'd guess that whether they'll give permission probably has a lot to do with the content of what you're filming, and that they might request a donation.

IndiePaul · Oct 29, 2013

Blade_Jones said:
If it was in LA they'd charge like $900 for a permit. In Atlanta a permit is probably like $50. Call and find out if they are gauging people on permits. If not get a permit. If so then do some "rogue shooting" without a permit. With a small crew nobody will ever know.

In Vancouver park filming permits are granted via the Parts and Recreation dept. The permits are a few hundred bucks but you also need insurance (I think 3 million or so - yes even for a 3-person indie crew). So it gets very expensive very quickly.

If it's church owned (as Cameron looks like she has uncovered), then I'd agree with her view. They may well still require insurance though.

I'd ask first then based on that decide whether you have to guerilla or not...