Rules & Guidelines

21.0 OBSTRUCTION

21.1 The production company should ensure that pedestrians and in particular wheelchair users are not impeded by filming. There shall be no interference with the free passage along public footways or highways. However it is permissible to invite the co-operation of the general public.

21.2 Nothing is to stand on the footway or the roadway unless consent has been given by the relevant Highways authority the FiLM Office will co-ordinate this. This covers tea tables, steps up to catering wagons or other facilities vehicles, awnings over footways, rubbish bins as well as all filming equipment. It is the responsibility of the Production to list what they wish to do in this area so that this may be presented to Highways: nothing that is obviously a hazard will be presented.

21.3 If it is discovered that the Production has implemented something to which there has been no agreement then Highways will be informed to take appropriate action. If the infringement presents an immediate risk e.g. badly laid cables that may be tripped over the 1st A.D. will be informed that the hazard must be rectified before further shooting.

21.4 If the unauthorised equipment does not constitute an immediate hazard or can be mitigated to an acceptable level e.g. a track which still leaves ample room for a double baby buggy (1.2m) then the Location Manager will be informed that, since it does not have consent, Highways may not let it stand.

21.5 If, to achieve a shot, it is necessary to obstruct the footway the Production should obtain the approval of the FiLM Office who will take the advice of the Highways and Traffic sections of the Local Authority. It will be necessary to provide in such circumstances a safe alternative walkway for pedestrians using approved barriers. (cones are inadequate)

22.0 PARKING

22.1 All film unit vehicles must be parked legally and safely. Pavement parking is strictly forbidden unless specifically authorised.

22.2 There is no charge for parking unit vehicles where there are no restrictions since to make such a charge would be illegal. However, Location Managers should consult the FiLM Officers with their plans for unit parking, even if there are no restrictions, to ensure that traffic flow is unimpeded and there is no conflict with road workings.

22.3 Location managers should discuss all parking plans with the FiLM Office at least one week in advance of filming, in particular, the on-street requirement for technical vehicles, other on-street equipment and bays to be reserved or kept empty for ‘continuity’.

22.4 It is inadvisable to enter into binding contracts or assume that a location is viable until parking requirements have been agreed with the FiLM Office.

22.5 Location Managers are responsible for the adherence to parking or vehicular movement agreements made with the FiLM Office and they are to be given adequate authority by the production to enforce this. This is a Health and Safety requirement.

22.6 Where possible vehicles will be parked where there are no parking restrictions or failing that on suspended parking bays. Waivers for single yellow lines may only be given with the approval of the relevant Highways Authority if it is satisfied that there are no unresolved safety issues and that alternative parking is not available. Waivers will be granted to essential technical vehicles only.

22.7 Residents' Parking bays will only be suspended

a) if there is no alternative parking in the area for the unit,

b) if a minimum of one week’s notice is given to the residents in the area affected,

c) if there is adequate alternative parking available within a short walk from the suspended area. (Disabled bays or bays parked on by disabled people may not be suspended unless there is alternative parking immediately adjacent and only if there is no alternative)

22.8 Film vehicles will not be allowed to park in such a way that the passage of pedestrians or vehicular traffic is blocked or impeded or that emergency access is restricted or denied. Prior agreement must be secured from the FiLM Office to block a footway for filming.

22.9 PARKING CHARGES

Bay suspensions and single yellow line (syl) waivers

Administrative charge: £65/hour of officer time plus VAT

N.B. Applications for meters or pay and display bays made at less than 7 days notice cannot be guaranteed: suspension of bays in Islington require 14 days notice.

Cancellation Charges

• Cancellation of parking applications with less than 7 days notice will be subject to cancellation fees.
• If a shoot is cancelled with less than 24hrs notice, it will be subject to administration fees for any work already carried out.
• Applications made less than 7 days will be subject to additional charges of 50% IF it is possible to implement them.

Where to pick up your waivers
Once the application for your waivers has been approved by the borough film officer, they can be picked up directly from the parking shop at the addresses below:

Islington
Islington Parking shop
41-47 Old St
EC1V

Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets parking services
4-8 Sutton Street
London
E1 0BB

Please wait for confirmation from the film officer that you waivers are ready before picking up.

23.0 POLICE
Notification and the role of Police Officers on location

23.1 It is a legal requirement for the production company to inform the Police of all details of filming on the street or in a public place. This includes any staging of crimes, accidents or use of firearms and special effects. The FiLM Office can advise on contact details.

23.2 There will be times when it is prudent to have Police officers in attendance while filming on location. Occasionally the FiLM Office or Police will specify that filming may not proceed unless Police officers are in attendance.

23.3 If Police officers are required to be in attendance on location then their role is to maintain the peace and up hold the law. The production company must cover any costs of providing this service but Police officers are not employees of the production company.

24.0 PROP OR MOCK EMERGENCY SERVICES

24.1 The FiLM Office and emergency service in question must be informed if there are actors to be dressed in a specific uniform (Police, ambulance or fire brigade).

24.2 Uniforms and any vehicles resembling the emergency services must be covered whenever possible and in particular between takes. Any markings on vehicles must be taped over when not being used for filming or being driven on a carriageway.

25.0 RESPONSIBILITY

25.1 Any filming undertaken is the responsibility of the producer. Adequate notice (not less than one week) must be given to the Borough FiLM Officer when making any arrangements.

26.0 ROAD MARKINGS and SIGNS

26.1 The temporary painting-out or disguising of road markings, yellow lines or other road signs requires the specific approval of the FiLM Office and notification of the Police.

27.0 RUBBISH

27.1 All rubbish litter is to be double bagged, removed from the location and disposed of responsibly at the end of the shoot or on a daily basis if the shoot is to be longer than two days. The cost of this will be borne by the Licensees. The FiLM Office, given adequate time, can provide eurobins, skips or other rubbish collections: charges upon request.

27.2 Any production found leaving rubbish behind will be prosecuted under Section 2 of the Refuse Disposal Act 1978 with a penalty of £1000 or three months.

27.3 It is the producer’s responsibility to ensure that all litter is removed before the end of each day’s filming.

28.0 SOUND PLAYBACK

28.1 The filming of artists to sound play-back can only be undertaken with the prior agreement from the FiLM Office, at any time.29.0 STREET FURNITURE AND STREET LIGHTING

29.0 STREET FURNITURE and SREET LIGHTING

29.1 The removal of street furniture, including signs, and the adjustment of street lighting is normally carried out by the local authority and charged to the production company. All arrangements for this work must be made through the FiLM Office.

29.2 Minor work by the production company may be permissible with prior permission from the FiLM Office but any damage or reinstatement costs would have to be met by the production company.

30.0 STUNTS, SPECIAL EFFECTS and PYROTECHNICS

30.1 All stunts, special effects (including weather effects and wet downs) and pyrotechnics must be under the direct control of a named qualified stunt co-ordinator or special effects operative and comply with the Environmental Protection Act (1990).

30.2 Any plans must be discussed with the FiLM Office at least one week in advance of the shoot. The production company is strongly advised to follow the direction of the FiLM Office concerning the feasibility of stunts.

30.3 No firearms or replica/mock firearms should be used without consultation and consent where appropriate of the Police and the FiLM Office on each occasion. The production company must ensure the safe custody of such weapons at all times.

31.0 TRACK

31.1 All matters relating to tracking must be discussed with the FiLM Office at least one week in advance of filming. Any obstructions or alternative footways planned must be cleared by the FiLM Office. Tracking boards may be required in certain circumstances.

32.0 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

32.1 Where traffic management is required police officers, traffic wardens or parking attendants (as appropriate) must be used unless advised to the contrary by the Film Office.

33.0 UNIT SIGNS

33.1 No unit signs should be used without express written agreement from the local authority. It may constitute an offence under the Road Traffic Act and unauthorized signs will be removed.

33.2 Illegal Signs will be removed by council officers and a charge for officer time will be made. Offenders may be prosecuted.

34.0 WETDOWNS

34.0 Wetdowns may only be carried out with the approval of the FiLM Office after

a) taking advice from the Traffic section of the requisite Local Authority

b) proper evaluation of the forthcoming weather conditions and

c) with the proper signage as required.

Notes: The descriptions highway, carriageway and footway used in this document are in conjunction with The Highways Act (1986)

The description Production refers to every type of filming. In particular, feature films, television productions, commercials, pop-promos, corporate and stills.

The FiLM Office will accept no liability for loss, financial or otherwise, alleged to have incurred as a result of use of this document.

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