Filming and the (UK) Law! at DVinfo.net

Nick Glenister · August 22nd, 2002, 10:24 AM

I wonder if someone can help me. I'm in the UK and i'm wondering about the legalities of filming in public places. I've seen a few public places i'd like to use in my film but don't know how to go about filming them.

1) Suppose i wanted to film a friend of mine driving his car along the road. I would be standing by the side of the road on the public pavement. Is this ok for me to do without breaking any law?

2) I'm filming a building, or part of a building or part of the street to use in a cut scene, i'm not on the buildings property but the building can be seen, people may walking past.

3) I'm filming some actors outside a public building but not on the buildings property just on the footpath

Finally is there any kind of references to these kinds of law so i might be able to find out for myself to save me hassling you poor people all the time.

Kind regards

Nick

Peter Lock · August 22nd, 2002, 11:17 AM

Nick
I can assure you alltough Tones trying hard were not in Dictatership YET!.
Its only once your inside the Public or Private building do you need to request permission to film.

Peter.

Rob Lohman · August 22nd, 2002, 11:51 AM

And I think you also have a problem if:

1) you can see branding etc.
2) you can "Recognise" the building... Ie, the name is
visible and stuff...

not sure though. I'm no legal expert.

Justin Morgan · August 23rd, 2002, 02:44 AM

You can download a copy of the Filmakers' code of practice from http://www.london-film.co.uk/ go to the 'code of practice' section. This should cover everything you want to know - it's the version for London but the laws in Norfolk are proabbly very similar.

Nick Glenister · August 23rd, 2002, 03:18 AM

Thanks guys

Nick

Ed Smith · August 23rd, 2002, 04:13 AM

If you are filming in front of a building with a logo then you need to ask permission from the company/ owner.

If you are making finacial gain from the project then it is advisable to contact the local council to see whether the places you want to film, are OK to film.

Most councils have some sort of department which can advise you on certain situations, and even source out possible filming locations.

Although you don't have to do this (in most cases), it is advisable out of common courtesy to do so.

Hope this helps. I'm no legal expert but after studying media at college I belive thats what you have to do.

All the best

Ed Smith

August 22nd, 2002, 10:24 AM	#1
Nick Glenister Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: UK - Norfolk Posts: 95	Filming and the (UK) Law! I wonder if someone can help me. I'm in the UK and i'm wondering about the legalities of filming in public places. I've seen a few public places i'd like to use in my film but don't know how to go about filming them. 1) Suppose i wanted to film a friend of mine driving his car along the road. I would be standing by the side of the road on the public pavement. Is this ok for me to do without breaking any law? 2) I'm filming a building, or part of a building or part of the street to use in a cut scene, i'm not on the buildings property but the building can be seen, people may walking past. 3) I'm filming some actors outside a public building but not on the buildings property just on the footpath Finally is there any kind of references to these kinds of law so i might be able to find out for myself to save me hassling you poor people all the time. Kind regards Nick

August 22nd, 2002, 11:51 AM	#3
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	And I think you also have a problem if: 1) you can see branding etc. 2) you can "Recognise" the building... Ie, the name is visible and stuff... not sure though. I'm no legal expert. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

August 22nd, 2002, 11:17 AM	#2
Peter Lock Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Milton Keynes. England Posts: 49	Nick I can assure you alltough Tones trying hard were not in Dictatership YET!. Its only once your inside the Public or Private building do you need to request permission to film. Peter.

August 23rd, 2002, 02:44 AM	#4
Justin Morgan Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London Posts: 189	You can download a copy of the Filmakers' code of practice from http://www.london-film.co.uk/ go to the 'code of practice' section. This should cover everything you want to know - it's the version for London but the laws in Norfolk are proabbly very similar.

August 23rd, 2002, 03:18 AM	#5
Nick Glenister Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: UK - Norfolk Posts: 95	Thanks guys Nick

August 23rd, 2002, 04:13 AM	#6
Ed Smith Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 1,545	If you are filming in front of a building with a logo then you need to ask permission from the company/ owner. If you are making finacial gain from the project then it is advisable to contact the local council to see whether the places you want to film, are OK to film. Most councils have some sort of department which can advise you on certain situations, and even source out possible filming locations. Although you don't have to do this (in most cases), it is advisable out of common courtesy to do so. Hope this helps. I'm no legal expert but after studying media at college I belive thats what you have to do. All the best Ed Smith