It Now Costs $300 to Get a Film Permit in NYC

So we were a bit slow over the summer but I thought this bit of news, which was announced in June, is worth mentioning. In case you have not heard, the Mayor's Office of Film & TV has instated a $300 application fee for permits to shoot within the City. There are some rules and exceptions.

The Basic Breakdown:

Permit Required:
$300 application fee applies.

- Equipment or vehicles are used or the person filming asserts exclusive use of City property.

- Insurance is required for this permit.

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Permit Not Required:
$300 permit fee does NOT apply.

- Hand-held cameras or tripods are used and the person filming does not assert exclusive use of City property.

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Optional Permit:
$300 permit fee does NOT apply.

- Handheld equipment only. Permit does not include special parking privileges.

- Insurance is not required for this permit.

For more info on this go to the article here. Or just check out the MOFTV website- they have good resources and opportunities listed there!

Outdoor Movie Screenings in NYC

Eventually the giant rain clouds hovering above NYC are going to shuffle onto their next destination. And when they do, you can take your poor pale self and head out to any number of the free/cheap outdoor film screenings taking place in NYC throughout the summer. For your own enjoyment, a compendium of some of these outdoor screenings follows.

1. Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies with a View
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park
When: Thursdays in July and August, from 6pm-11pm
Event: Before the main feature, listen to a DJ, snack on food by RICE, and watch a short film.
Movies start at sunset.
Cost: FREE!
Screenings: Everything from cult classics like Raising Arizona and Edward Scissorhands, to classics like The Maltese Falcon.

2. Rooftop Films: Underground Movies Outdoors
Where: All over Manhattan
When: Every weekend, through September 20, 9:00pm.
Event: Independent film screenings from NYC and around the world. Doors open at 8pm, DJ spins at 8:30pm, and films start at 9:00pm. Many screenings are followed by a filmmaker Q&A.
Cost: $9 at door or online.
Screenings: Not your Blockbuster stuff. Heavy focus on foreign film and documentaries.

3. River to River Festival Film Screenings
Where: The Elevated Acre at 55 Water St., Manhattan
When: Mondays in July, 8pm.
Event: Part of the larger arts festival, these screenings are preceded by short films.
Cost: FREE!
Screenings: The Seven Year Itch, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974), West Side Story, and Sweet Smell of Success.

4. HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Where: Bryant Park, Manhattan
When: Mondays, ongoing through August 17th, films begin at dusk.
Event: The park opens at 5pm for blankets and picnicking. Films begin typically between 8pm and 9pm.
Cost: FREE!
Screenings: Classics like How Green Was My Valley and The Defiant Ones, and a few new classics like Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

5. SummerScreen
Where: Ball Fields at McCarren Park, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
When: Wednesdays in July and August, dusk.
Event: Sit in the stands, eat park food ($), and watch a feature.
Cost: FREE!
Screenings: Cult classics like Reality Bites, Evil Dead 2, and Fame.

6. Films on the Green
Where: Parks across Manhattan
When: Fridays in June and July, dusk.
Event: A French film festival, focused on the environment.
Cost: FREE!
Screenings: The Big Blue, Love is in the Air, Works, and Claire's Knees.

7. River Flicks for Grown-Ups
Where: Hudson River Park, Pier 54 at 14th St.
When: Wednesdays in July and August, dusk.
Event: Free popcorn and a 2008 Blockbuster.
Cost: FREE!
Screenings: Hits from last year, including Iron Man, The Dark Knight, and Tropic Thunder.

8. River Flicks for Kids
Where: Pier 46 at Charles St.
When: Fridays in July and August, dusk.
Event: Free popcorn and a kids movie.
Cost: FREE!
Screenings: Embrace the kid in you. Features movies like Wizard of Oz, Ghostbusters, and Curious George.

9. Outdoor Cinema 2009
Where: Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens
When: Wednesdays from July 15 to August 19, dusk.
Event: Pre-screening performances and local food vendors spice things up before the screening of an International film.
Cost: FREE!
Screenings: A film snobs dream, with films like Contempt, Waltz with Bashir, and Gomorrah.

Filming underground

It has long been believed, by many filmmakers and photographers, that shooting in the iconic New York City subway system is against the law and a great way to get the unwanted attention of transit cops. In a post 9/11 city, this belief is generally accepted as untested fact. Why should you expect to be allowed to freely capture images in such a potentially sensitive environment?

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has tried at least twice in the past few years to institute a ban on photography and filming for safety reason. But public outcry has so far succeeded in stopping them in their tracks.

And so, buried in the Restricted areas and activities section of the MTA's the rules of conduct is Section 1050.9 C.

Why not print out a copy and take it along on your next low-budget, hand-held, unlit shoot?

"Section 1050.9 C

Photography, filming or video recording in any facility or conveyance is permitted except that ancillary equipment such as lights, reflectors or tripods may not be used. Members of the press holding valid identification issued by the New York City Police Department are hereby authorized to use necessary ancillary equipment. All photographic activity must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Part."


And for anyone interested in making a big budget Hollywood movie in the New York Subway - heres a great how-to article from the MTA:
http://www.mta.info/mta/news/newsroom/nyct-lopez.htm

Meanwhile London's metro system, considered by many to be almost as scenic as New York's, requires permits for all filming and photography:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/arts/filming/filming-faqs.asp