Permits on Public Places

[TxPurpleRose]

My Company wants to do a photo shoot of models on the river walk but can't find anything that says "photography permits" only "film permist". What is the difference? I don't want to do anything illegal.

[Stephen H]

From what I have read in, say, NYC, the film permits are sort of assuming you will have 20 people and a bunch of lights and stuff in doing the shoot- be blocking off roads, and that kind of thing. Sometimes those sorts of rules get applied to still shooting, sometime not- check with the person issuing the rules. Also watch if they have insurance requirements.

[PHT]

not that i know of

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by TxPurpleRose

My Company wants to do a photo shoot of models on the river walk but can't find anything that says "photography permits" only "film permist". What is the difference? I don't want to do anything illegal.

The River Walk is not exactly public property and I'm sure you will need some sort of permit for any sort of commercial shoot. click on this link http://www.sanantoniovisit.com/film/permit.asp

[Stephen H]

I notice the page referenced says "All requests for filming and/or photography in city-owned parks....".

If it was just one photographer, one model, I'd try to get them to clarify what this applies to. The way it is written, every tourist that snaps a snapshot needs to pay $200 for a permit, and that is surely not the intent. They may decide this on commercial vs amateur, or on whether a tripod is used, or on other random factors, and you'd just have to ask to see.

I've seen a similar issue come up in national parks. Although the regulations are written in such a way that any pro requires a permit, I think they really only apply it to where you have multiple people doing stuff- one guy with a camera they don't worry about. I've read that NYC requires a permit for anything with a tripod, pro or not.

The problem with these regs is that they are set up assuming a certain kind of activity. If you have a dozen people and a lot of equipment on the site, then $200 a day is a drop in the bucket. But if it's one photographer and one model for 30 minutes, that's a rather unreasonable way to work things.

I did also notice this on that website:
"12.12.06 PLEASE NOTE: The San Antonio River will be drained along the River Walk January 2 - 9 for annual cleaning. Please make note of this when scheduling any production on the River Walk."

[Steelsun]

Originally Posted by Stephen H

I did also notice this on that website:
"12.12.06 PLEASE NOTE: The San Antonio River will be drained along the River Walk January 2 - 9 for annual cleaning. Please make note of this when scheduling any production on the River Walk."

That ought to be interesting to view.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by Steelsun

That ought to be interesting to view.

view, heck, the smell will get you 1st.....