Filming in Public Spaces in the UK
Filming in public spaces is a fantastic way to add depth and authenticity to your project and draw potential association with and buy in from the viewer. Whether it’s capturing action-packed car chases or heartfelt conversations on a picturesque street, shooting in public comes with its own set of rules, paperwork, and potential challenges.
It may not be an obvious factor to filming in public, but this is a vital factor of what Cande Group does in the background and why we put so much effort into pre-production; we’ve learned that a smooth public shoot is all about preparation, communication, and maybe a touch of charm when working with local authorities. Here are some of our nuggets of wisdom to ensure a trouble-free process:
Do You Really Need a Permit?
Short answer: absolutely. Long answer: if you’re setting up cameras for filming in public spaces – whether it’s a bustling high street or a quiet country lane – you’ll need permission from the local authority or landowner. The type of permit depends on the location. For example:
– A public pavement or street – most likely owned by your local council.
– A park or historic site – this could fall under English Heritage, Historic Houses, the National Trust, or a private entity’s care.
– London or other major filming hubs – most popular locations for filming in public spaces have dedicated film offices that streamline the process (and trust us, these folks are worth knowing and are absolute lifesavers).
The key is knowing who owns what. If you’re unsure, start with the council or film office and they’ll point you in the right direction.
It’s All in the Detail
When applying for a permit for filming in public spaces, councils aren’t just going to rubber-stamp your form, they want to know you’ve thought it through. Here’s what they’ll typically expect:
– Insurance: Public liability insurance is an absolute must, usually for up to £10 million. Some councils accept £5 million, but don’t count on it.
– A Plan: Include everything, from timings to locations, crew size, equipment, and even where you’re parking the van.
– Risk Assessments: You must consider every possible hazard. What happens if a tripod blocks the pavement or someone trips over a cable? Think ahead, because the landowner will be thinking about it too. They’ll also want to know how you’re keeping everyone (public included) safe.
What About Special Filming Scenarios?
Filming in public spaces isn’t one-size-fits-all and each schedule needs careful thought. Some shoots require extra permissions or precautions, such as:
– Moving Vehicles – got a car rigged with cameras or filming a driving sequence? You’ll need approval from the council’s highways department and local police.
– Action Scenes – staged fights, imitation weapons, or anything resembling illegal activity for when filming in public spaces will need police supervision. Thankfully, police officers are usually happy to take part in our experience, it’s a bit more exciting than paperwork, after all.
– Drone Footage – flying over public spaces requires Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval and compliance with strict UK drone laws. Ensure your operator has the correct licence to fly the drone.
– Specialist equipment – filming in public spaces can mean the use of anything from SFX or a Crane/Jib arm, they will need to know everything is being operated properly and will ask for details of suppliers/operators. For example, you won’t be able to have a camera crane in public unless operated by a Level 3 Grip or above.
Timing is Everything
Here’s the golden rule: start your application early if you plan on filming in public spaces. Most councils need at least four weeks to process permits, but in popular filming spots like London, it could take longer. Factor in potential revisions or additional requirements, and you’ll thank yourself for being ahead of schedule.
The Price of Going Public
Permits aren’t free, and costs can vary depending on crew size, location, and what you’re doing. A small crew filming a quiet scene will cost less than, say, a car chase requiring road closures. Some councils also charge for parking suspensions or cordons, so keep that in mind when budgeting.
On the Day: Keeping Things Smooth
Even with all the paperwork sorted, filming in public spaces can be unpredictable. Here are a few things Cande has learned from our experiences of filming in public spaces:
– Hire Security – a crew member keeping an eye on kit and kindly asking passers-by to pause for a shot can be well worth the cost and make a world of difference on time taken and overall quality of footage.
– Signage and Communication – let the public know what’s going on. A friendly sign or a polite crew member knocking on doors beforehand, can prevent awkward interruptions and ingratiate yourselves to locals in the surrounding area who may well be more understanding if there is any disturbance to their day.
– Respect the Public Space – be mindful of noise, clean up after yourselves, and avoid disrupting local businesses or residents as much as possible.
Case Studies for filming in public spaces
London: Documentary
Filming in public spaces in London comes with extra challenges but also extra support if you know where to find it. Agencies like Film London, Transport for London (TfL) and Met Police Film Office are experts at helping productions navigate busy streets, landmarks, and transport systems. They’ve seen it all, so don’t hesitate to lean on their guidance.
Cande Group was commissioned to make a self-funded documentary called Green Gold, and we decided to film an in-car interview, as if the presenter and interviewer were driving from point A to point B. This process meant that we had to dig to find out which elements of filming required permissions from which establishments. For example, we needed a permit from TFL to film the presenter outside the tube station, however we were instructed to find a non-TFL owned piece of land for the main filming, which was the local borough council.
The truly challenging element was not only filming within the car whilst driving, but also car-to-car from a camera within the vehicle leading the interview car. For ease from a permit point of view, we chose a route within one borough with a loop that didn’t present heavy traffic issues. A further permit was needed from the Met Police since we were filming on live public roads and had cameras rigged up to the interview car.
Other essential factors that may or may not be obvious, are among others, to make sure your cameras don’t block the driver’s view, only hang a certain distance off a car and that you always have a lead vehicle.
The Midlands: Short Narrative Film
The Carolers was a short narrative film that Cande Group directed and co-produced in collaboration with USA-based production company Sargasso Media. We staged the filming in a residential area of Nuneaton which required permits from the borough council plus Warwickshire County Council. One tip is that if you wish to film on a public pavement this is classed as a ‘highway’ and needs permission from the local council.
This project also needed child licences and permits for our young actors, or young people under 17 years old to undertake paid performances. To streamline and manage such a process, Cande has a partnership with a local performance agency called WallyandDolly, who arranged all of the child licences for us and acted as our chaperones.
