Videographing in Spain

Sverker Hahn · November 2nd, 2008, 11:06 AM

Possibly I will go to Spain in March - April 2009.

2 people, Sony EX1, tripod etc (looking somewhat professional).

Do I need any kind of permit for

- nature & wildlife
- rural areas
- urban areas?

If videographing e.g. a street with shops, restaurants and people, will the spanish take offense against this (like I have heard happens in France)?

/Sverker

Tony Neal · November 2nd, 2008, 11:56 AM

I spent 10 days in the Costa Blanca last year with a Sony FX1 and either a Manfrotto tripod or a Steadicam Merlin - I had no problems in the tourist spots and in towns. But obviously its always wise to avoid official buildings and police or military installations whichever country you are in.

Gareth Watkins · November 3rd, 2008, 02:43 AM

Hi there
I live in France and have filmed in both France and Spain. I've never had a problem with either. I was a photojournalist in Paris for many years and never really had an issue, other than the odd public building where you weren't allowed to shoot without going through the press office.
One thing I would say about Spain though is be careful if you go around Barcelona. I had my van broken into and my camera gear stolen, despite being parked next to two police cars and in a car park with a security guard watching the cars....Only stopped to use the toilet and get a coffee, 5 mins or so was enough for them.

Regards
Gareth

Sverker Hahn · November 3rd, 2008, 03:47 AM

Thanks for the info, Tony and Gareth,

Seems that I don´t need to worry, that is good.

Background: In Tanzania, one has to pay for a $1000 permit when using a tripod (that´s professional) and in France, the photographer, shooting a scene where a man is recognised with his mistress (in public), may be prosecuted and sentenced to an enormous fine.

If the France situation is false, please correct me.

Gareth Watkins · November 3rd, 2008, 04:35 AM

Hi there

Yes the French laws on your 'rights to you Image' are strict and quite frankly over the top, and many celebs make a fortune out of this in court cases against magazines.

However if you material is not for publication or release then you'll not have a problem, particularly if you are back in Sweden. The publications would have to be in France.

cheers
Gareth

Oren Arieli · November 3rd, 2008, 10:37 AM

Madrid is also a hotspot for thieves. My wife's backpack was rifled through, but thankfully, I had the cameras (video and photo) in my possession with a luggage lock on the zippers of my backpack. Otherwise, I loved Spain.

Another word regarding theft of equipment. Make sure you take a photo of every expensive item you're carrying, along with serial#, purchase price, and purchase date. Use a spreadsheet, or database program (or a free inventory program like this:Insurance Information Institute).
Carry it on a PASSWORD secured thumbdrive. Keep copies of your passport, ID and credit cards (front and back).

If nothing else, you'll sleep better at night.

Mike Gunter · November 3rd, 2008, 11:50 AM

Hi,

Like Gareth, I was on assignment in Barcelona some years ago and had my camera equipment stolen - a real pain. Things happen, but do take some precautions.

Good luck.

George Kroonder · November 3rd, 2008, 12:12 PM

How about we set up a Google map for where equipment was stolen?

George/

Rob O'Day · November 12th, 2008, 04:40 PM

Yeah theft is rife along the coastal towns, be VERY careful (I spent the night in hospital on my first day in Spain !!!).
Other wise, its a lovely place, most authorities don't really give a crap tbh (I ended up living and working in Spain for a year, just a few weeks after getting mugged :D ).

November 2nd, 2008, 11:06 AM	#1
Sverker Hahn Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 157	Videographing in Spain - are there "problems"? Possibly I will go to Spain in March - April 2009. 2 people, Sony EX1, tripod etc (looking somewhat professional). Do I need any kind of permit for - nature & wildlife - rural areas - urban areas? If videographing e.g. a street with shops, restaurants and people, will the spanish take offense against this (like I have heard happens in France)? /Sverker

November 3rd, 2008, 11:50 AM	#7
Mike Gunter Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kalispell, Montana Posts: 164	Hi, Like Gareth, I was on assignment in Barcelona some years ago and had my camera equipment stolen - a real pain. Things happen, but do take some precautions. Good luck. __________________ Mike Gunter VideoTidbits.com

November 2nd, 2008, 11:56 AM	#2
Tony Neal Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fareham, UK Posts: 160	I spent 10 days in the Costa Blanca last year with a Sony FX1 and either a Manfrotto tripod or a Steadicam Merlin - I had no problems in the tourist spots and in towns. But obviously its always wise to avoid official buildings and police or military installations whichever country you are in.

November 3rd, 2008, 02:43 AM	#3
Gareth Watkins Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: France Posts: 578	Hi there I live in France and have filmed in both France and Spain. I've never had a problem with either. I was a photojournalist in Paris for many years and never really had an issue, other than the odd public building where you weren't allowed to shoot without going through the press office. One thing I would say about Spain though is be careful if you go around Barcelona. I had my van broken into and my camera gear stolen, despite being parked next to two police cars and in a car park with a security guard watching the cars....Only stopped to use the toilet and get a coffee, 5 mins or so was enough for them. Regards Gareth

November 3rd, 2008, 03:47 AM	#4
Sverker Hahn Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 157	Thanks for the info, Tony and Gareth, Seems that I don´t need to worry, that is good. Background: In Tanzania, one has to pay for a $1000 permit when using a tripod (that´s professional) and in France, the photographer, shooting a scene where a man is recognised with his mistress (in public), may be prosecuted and sentenced to an enormous fine. If the France situation is false, please correct me.

November 3rd, 2008, 04:35 AM	#5
Gareth Watkins Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: France Posts: 578	Hi there Yes the French laws on your 'rights to you Image' are strict and quite frankly over the top, and many celebs make a fortune out of this in court cases against magazines. However if you material is not for publication or release then you'll not have a problem, particularly if you are back in Sweden. The publications would have to be in France. cheers Gareth

November 3rd, 2008, 10:37 AM	#6
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	Madrid is also a hotspot for thieves. My wife's backpack was rifled through, but thankfully, I had the cameras (video and photo) in my possession with a luggage lock on the zippers of my backpack. Otherwise, I loved Spain. Another word regarding theft of equipment. Make sure you take a photo of every expensive item you're carrying, along with serial#, purchase price, and purchase date. Use a spreadsheet, or database program (or a free inventory program like this:Insurance Information Institute). Carry it on a PASSWORD secured thumbdrive. Keep copies of your passport, ID and credit cards (front and back). If nothing else, you'll sleep better at night.

November 3rd, 2008, 12:12 PM	#8
George Kroonder Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Utrecht, NL \| Europe 3rd Rock from the Sun Posts: 612	How about we set up a Google map for where equipment was stolen? George/

November 12th, 2008, 04:40 PM	#9
Rob O'Day Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Posts: 63	Yeah theft is rife along the coastal towns, be VERY careful (I spent the night in hospital on my first day in Spain !!!). Other wise, its a lovely place, most authorities don't really give a crap tbh (I ended up living and working in Spain for a year, just a few weeks after getting mugged :D ).