Film Permits

Learn when you need a filming permit and how to obtain one

Film Permits

Developed by Jason Tomaric, FilmSkills
ABOUT THIS LESSON
In most major cities, you're required to obtain a permit to be able to shoot on both public and private property.  This module will walk you through the permitting process, when one is required, how to get one, the costs involved and common traps associated with free permits.
 
  • 22:58 video that takes you through the permitting process
  • Illustrated companion guide
  • Sample Los Angeles permit application
  • Los Angeles Film Insurance Requirements
  • No Parking Survey
  • Street/Lane Closure forms
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
  • What are permits
  • When is a permit required
  • Shooting guerilla without a permit
  • The difference between shooting on public and private property
  • Free permits and their hidden costs
  • How to use a permit on location
ABOUT THE LESSON AUTHOR
View full profile
Jason Tomaric

Jason Tomaric

Director, Cinematographer Los Angeles, California
Jason J. Tomaric is an Emmy, Telly, and CINE Award-winning director and cinematographer of four internationally-distributed feature films, dozens of national television commercials, music videos, and the largest film training content library in the world, published author of 8 books - used in many top universities, and creator of AccuSkills.com, an industry-changing learning management platform. 
 
Jason has worked in Los Angeles and around the world in over 20 countries. His clients include Disney, NBC/Universal, National Geographic, McDonald’s, Toyota, Scion, Microsoft, and Paul Mitchell, with narrative work screened at Sundance, Slamdance, and South by Southwest film festivals as well as on Netflix and on all broadcast networks.
 
Jason has taught and/or guest lectured at some of the nation's most prestigious film schools including UCLA, Columbia College, John Carroll University, Kent State University, San Francisco State, University of Notre Dame, and numerous film festivals.
 
Jason has written eight industry-defining books, all sold in bookstores, and used in film schools around the world. The American Society of Cinematographers hails Jason's books - "There are no wasted words in Tomaric's tome, which concisely summarizes each facet of the director's craft.  It's difficult to think of a step in the process that Tomaric fails to address." 
 
Jason’s DVD training series on Hollywood film production have trained filmmakers in over 40 countries, with distributors in Europe, Hong Kong, New York and Australia.
 
In 2010, Jason launched FilmSkills, which combines the world’s largest film training video library with his proprietary learning management system.  Adopted by 47 universities within the first year, FilmSkills is now the leading industry-standard training solution for motion picture and television production.
 
In 2015, Jason launched AccuSkills.com, an industry-changing learning management platform that bridges the gap between academia and industry.
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS LESSON
Kathy M. McCurdy

Kathy M. McCurdy

Former San Diego Film Commissioner, "Almost Famous", "Transformers 2", "Traffic", and "Mr. Wrong"
Kathy M. McCurdy, who, as director of features at the San Diego Film Commission, worked on such films as Almost Famous, Transformers 2, Traffic, and Mr. Wrong. As a location manager, she has been credited on films such as The Price She Paid, Tainted Blood, Rubdown, and Accidental Meeting. She spent fifteen years as the San Diego Film Commissioner and continues to speak about location shooting every semester at various film schools.
Mike Fantasia

Mike Fantasia

Location Manager, "Indiana Jones 4," "Catch Me if You Can," "Jerry Maguire," "The Terminal," and "Heat"
Mike Fantasia is a Los Angeles-based location manager.  Having had gotten his start on Steven Spielberg's Always, Mike has continued to work on numerous feature films, including The Green Hornet, Indiana Jones 4, 3:10 to Yuma, Fracture, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Terminal, Seabiscuit, Catch Me if You Can, The One, Blow, Girl, Interrupted, The Virgin Suicides, A Night at the Roxbury, Jerry Maguire, Heat, Free Willy, Free Willy 2, The River Wild, A River Runs Through It, and Always.
Veronique Vowell

Veronique Vowell

Location Manager, "Cold Case," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Nick of Time," and "Encino Man"
Veronique Vowell is a working location manager in Los Angeles, CA. Having ahd worked in both feature films and television series, Veronique's experience and talent has benefited such projects as Cold Case, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Banger Sisters, First Monday, Dead Last, The Replacements, Nick of Time, Richie Rich, Angels in the Outfield, Encino man, Tango & Cash, and many others.