Video Recording

[tnb]

Hi,

Does anyone know what the rules are around video recording in public places (ie in the street)? Obviously if you're just doing a bit on your mobile phone or your digital camera on holiday I doubt the Ol' Bill are going to come and cart you off - but I am planning a project at the minute which will likely attract a *little* more attention than that and mean filming for a couple of hours or more, on and off, and so I was wondering what the legal/ logistical position is?

I know there are plenty of people on here who have experience of videoing fairly large scale events (ie the 2009 conference tour) as well as filmmakers - can any of you advise whether I need to worry about licenses or permission from local council(s), or - God forbid - rushing after anyone who walks into shot to get them to sign a release form?

Not for profit, if that makes any difference.

Any help appreciated.

[Chris Scott]

Hi
There is an article on the Guardian website entitled
What you need to know about filming in public

You can find this at

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/jan/26/makingvideo.workshops3

Hope this helps

[tnb]

Thanks Chris, that's brilliant.

[Chris Scott]

Glad it was of use
For more detailed info you should see

http://www.filmlondon.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=1047

[tnb]

Found that site through the original link as it happens - a very useful little website. Surprised to see that E1 doesn't appear on the list of 'popular filming sights' where they reccomend extra notice, that said I am not complaining.

We will only be a 2 man crew and from the sounds of it that will fall into something of a grey area, whereby we could probably get away without permission - we will be using a mix of Steadicam and handheld, and moving around quite a lot, but just to be safe we will atleast contact the local authority, hopefully they will just say 'ok then' and that will be the end of it - £2m public liability insurance sounds a bit scary though!

I am a bit unsure whether the project qualifies as 'non-commercial' or not (ie no pesky release forms), as while it won't make us any money it will be made publicly available - and I know how I would feel about suddenly turning up on the internet walking down Commercial Street. But hopefully the authority will be able to let us know about that.

Many thanks again Chris - watch this space as they say, of course there will also be updates on the project on my website - once I get that working - that's the current challenge for this famous techophobe. Hmmm. Back to it, as it happens.