Shelly Palmer Report:
The Right To Keep and Bear Cameras

Should the government regulate the use of still or video cameras in public spaces? National monuments? Bridges and tunnels? How about regulating phones with cameras or video recorders in public lavatories?

OK, how about this: Should the government be able to regulate production crew activities that will impact the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic in public areas like streets, plazas, bridges and tunnels?

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There was a news item on WNBC-TV New York's local news last week that tried to sensationalize these questions beyond reason. I understand that TV is ratings-driven. And, I also understand that conflict makes for good, compelling stories. But film permits are not about Homeland Security…or are they?

According to their website, the New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting (MOFTB), founded in 1966, was the first U.S. film commission. The MOFTB has always offered free permits. In addition, if warranted by the activity, it has also offered free police assistance to streamline filming in New York City. The permit has served as the filmer's authorization to interact with, and stage production activity, on City property.

Here is an overview of the proposed new rules:

1. Film or still photography activity involving a tripod and a crew of 5 or more persons (at one site for 10 or more minutes) would require a permit, or the same activity among two people at a single site for more than 30 minutes. However, note that this situation is RARE for recreational photographers;
2. Applicants unable to meet the insurance requirement may be eligible for a waiver of insurance;
3. Still photographers engaged in "permitted" activity (activity where you need a permit) would require insurance. "Permitted" activity can include those where vehicles or equipment other than hand-held cameras are used.

Read a complete .pdf file of the proposed rules at www.nyc.gov.

So why are the Civil Liberties people up in arms? First and foremost, citizens of New York who are not active members of the film and television production community probably have no idea that there have been permits issued for production in NYC for over 40 years. The way this subject is being presented, in the news and in the blogosphere, makes it sound like a new idea. It is not.

Then, there's the quite logical "fear factor." If we let the City regulate a small part of something, will they ultimately regulate all of it? And, of course, is the City government simply starting something that the state and federal governments are going to jump on?

I received so many emails and phone calls on this subject that I was literally forced to call the Commissioner's office so I could hear the story directly.

I was treated to an off the record conversation about the issues and referred to the document I have referenced above. You can draw your own conclusions as to the intentions of the MOFTB.

However, I would urge production professionals to exercise some restraint in over-sensationalizing this issue. For some reason, everyone seems to think that this is some kind of government plot to prevent you from taking a point and shoot snapshot of your grandmother standing in front of the Empire State Building. As far as I can tell, it isn't. However, if you want to bring a 10 person crew to 34th Street and Fifth Avenue, hang some lights, put your camera on a tripod or dolly and film for eight hours, you're going to need a permit. Just like you did yesterday, last year and five years ago.

How this proposed revision to the NYC film/tv shoot permitting process has been distorted in the press is at best, sensationalistic, and at worst, a huge disservice to the professional production community.

It would be great if every location in America was as easy to shoot in as NYC. During the Bloomberg administration, Commissioner Oliver has bent over backwards to help make New York as easy and economical location as it can possibly be. The police are a huge help, parking permits are relatively easy and the insurance requirements make total sense in this litigious day and age.

By the time you read this, the official time for comments on the matter will be closed. But I hope the press (citizen journalists and news professionals alike) will take a hard look at the facts before another round of pointless fear mongering. These regulations will not impact tourism or the family photo album -- unless your next family video requires a crew and causes a traffic jam.

Shelly Palmer is Managing Director of Advanced Media Ventures Group LLC and the author of Television Disrupted: The Transition from Network to Networked TV (2006, Focal Press). Shelly is also President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, NY (the organization that bestows the coveted Emmy® Awards). He is the Vice-Chairman of the National Academy of Media Arts & Sciences an organization dedicated to education and leadership in the areas of technology, media and entertainment. Palmer also oversees the Advanced Media Technology Emmy® Awards which honors outstanding achievements in the science and technology of advanced media. You can read Shelly's blog here. Shelly can be reached at shelly@palmer.net

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