Proper clearance for highway shots at DVinfo.net

Jason J. Gullickson · September 20th, 2005, 02:19 PM

One of the films we are considering shooting next year includes long shots of a vehicle travelling down the open highway.

I'm wondering what sort of clearances we need for a location like this, and who do we get them from? I've done location releases for private property and for public areas such as parks, etc. but what sort of clearance do you need for interstate highways?

Thanks!

Pat Sherman · September 20th, 2005, 02:36 PM

My first suggestion would probably be Department of Transportation for the State in question and the Highway Patrol since it's their roads and well if you need traffic blocked etc..etc..

Richard Alvarez · September 20th, 2005, 02:53 PM

Jason,

Are you talking about sitting in the back of one vehicle, and shooting another? Pretty straightforward stuff. But if you're talking about starting and stopping on the side of the road, mounting a camera on the hood, or trailering a camera car, then you might want to check with the DPS before 'going gorilla'.

Jason J. Gullickson · September 21st, 2005, 06:35 AM

Richard, you nailed it.

We'll be shooting a vehicle in motion from another such vehicle, either following side-by-side (on a four-lane highway) or from the front or back of the subject vehicle. We don't need to disrupt traffic in any way, but I'm worried that I'll be asked to provide documentation of proper clearances from a distributor when the time comes.

I think I'll start with the DOT for the states in question and go from there, thanks guys!

Bob Costa · September 21st, 2005, 05:29 PM

I am pretty sure that for Interstate highways, you can rely on a 14 foot 3 inch clearance, unless otherwise posted. State and local roads may be different.

Heath McKnight · September 22nd, 2005, 12:19 AM

Talk to the local film commission, maybe even the state.

heath

Jack Smith · September 22nd, 2005, 08:48 PM

I like Heath's thought.The film community for the area may have the experience with those authorities to answer the question.
Bob I like that , I bet you get some unique angles on your shoots.

Jason J. Gullickson · September 23rd, 2005, 06:07 AM

I like that idea also, too bad they just closed the Wisconsin film office :(

...but maybe there are local commissions and such that I can find insted.

Thanks again guys!

Michael Plunkett · September 24th, 2005, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason J. Gullickson

I like that idea also, too bad they just closed the Wisconsin film office :(

...but maybe there are local commissions and such that I can find insted.

Thanks again guys!

closed? Perhaps talking with the local police. Get them in a shot and they might even be friends, lol.

Justin Kohli · September 24th, 2005, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason J. Gullickson

I like that idea also, too bad they just closed the Wisconsin film office :(

...but maybe there are local commissions and such that I can find insted.

Thanks again guys!

Hey Jason, do you come through Appleton at all? Maybe we could grab some coffee and talk DV.

Jason J. Gullickson · September 26th, 2005, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Kohli

Hey Jason, do you come through Appleton at all?

Not much, other than running up to Green Bay to visit the in-laws...

I do have a couple of friends who do videography and one of them lives up in Appleton (at least for now, I think he's moving to Madison as soon as he can sell his condo).

I've been meaning to go up there and scout around for some possible locations however, if I'm going to be in town I'll drop you a line for sure. If you're down in Madison (or in the unlikely event that you're in Beaver Dam) feel free to do the same and maybe we can get together and chat.

September 20th, 2005, 02:19 PM	#1
Jason J. Gullickson Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 170	Proper clearance for highway shots One of the films we are considering shooting next year includes long shots of a vehicle travelling down the open highway. I'm wondering what sort of clearances we need for a location like this, and who do we get them from? I've done location releases for private property and for public areas such as parks, etc. but what sort of clearance do you need for interstate highways? Thanks! __________________ Jason J. Gullickson Producer the second society http://2soc.net

September 21st, 2005, 06:35 AM	#4
Jason J. Gullickson Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 170	Richard, you nailed it. We'll be shooting a vehicle in motion from another such vehicle, either following side-by-side (on a four-lane highway) or from the front or back of the subject vehicle. We don't need to disrupt traffic in any way, but I'm worried that I'll be asked to provide documentation of proper clearances from a distributor when the time comes. I think I'll start with the DOT for the states in question and go from there, thanks guys! __________________ Jason J. Gullickson Producer the second society http://2soc.net

September 21st, 2005, 05:29 PM	#5
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	I am pretty sure that for Interstate highways, you can rely on a 14 foot 3 inch clearance, unless otherwise posted. State and local roads may be different. __________________ You are either growing or dying.

September 22nd, 2005, 12:19 AM	#6
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	Talk to the local film commission, maybe even the state. heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

September 23rd, 2005, 06:07 AM	#8
Jason J. Gullickson Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 170	I like that idea also, too bad they just closed the Wisconsin film office :( ...but maybe there are local commissions and such that I can find insted. Thanks again guys! __________________ Jason J. Gullickson Producer the second society http://2soc.net

September 20th, 2005, 02:36 PM	#2
Pat Sherman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: DuPont, Wa Posts: 325	My first suggestion would probably be Department of Transportation for the State in question and the Highway Patrol since it's their roads and well if you need traffic blocked etc..etc..

September 20th, 2005, 02:53 PM	#3
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Jason, Are you talking about sitting in the back of one vehicle, and shooting another? Pretty straightforward stuff. But if you're talking about starting and stopping on the side of the road, mounting a camera on the hood, or trailering a camera car, then you might want to check with the DPS before 'going gorilla'.

September 22nd, 2005, 08:48 PM	#7
Jack Smith Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ontario Posts: 445	I like Heath's thought.The film community for the area may have the experience with those authorities to answer the question. Bob I like that , I bet you get some unique angles on your shoots.