FILM
PRODUCTION
Phone:
(661) 763-1222
Fax:
(661) 765-2480
Last update: 02/20/03
The
California Film Commission (CFC) was established within the California Trade
and Commerce Agency to attract and promote film production throughout the
state. The CFC acts as a "red-tape
cutter" for production problems on the local level and as an intermediary
for businesses and communities in their dealings with film companies.
The
California Film Commission's goal is to make it easier for you to say
"yes" to film production on your property and ensure that all of your
filming experiences are positive.
Outlined
in the pages ahead are descriptions of film industry personnel, types of
production, required City of
This
booklet provides
WHAT IS FILM DEVELOPMENT?
The
motion picture industry employs 234,000 Californians. However, competition from other states is
luring a significant portion of film production away from
Film
production is a clean, non-polluting, quick injection of revenue for a local
community. When a feature film goes on
location requiring overnight stays, the cast and crew will often remain in that
location for two to six weeks. Expenditures
for companies filming on location average $26,222 per day.
The
impact on various local businesses can be significant. The average feature film involves a crew of
90 people and a cast of 10 principal actors, requiring 100 rooms. In addition, each cast and crew member
receives approximately $40 per diem which can mean $4,000 spent per day on
"personal expenses," like meals.
Often
the company will bring only key crew members and hire locally, depending on the
availability of qualified technicians.
Local dry cleaners and laundries will be required for both the personal
requirements of cast and crew and the needs of the wardrobe department.
Production companies will often call upon local financial institutions to
deposit operating monies and act as payroll companies. Gas stations, lumber yards and hardware
stores can all expect a boost in business during film production.
Producers
are looking for realism in everything from feature films and weekly action
shows to orange juice commercials. In
most cases, the production manager, retained by the producer to hire staff and
crew for a project, develops the shooting schedule and determines the
necessity, cost and duration of a location shoot. Location scouts investigate possible sites,
often with assistance from the local film commission. Then the director, producer and production
manager review the selections and may scout the location again themselves. The
following types of production may shoot "on location":
Feature Films
(for theatrical release): Approximately 700 feature films are shot
in the
Made-for-television
movies and mini-series: The budget per television movie is
approximately $2 million and mini-series budgets can easily triple that
figure.
Episodic
television: There are approximately 16 one-hour dramatic
series that shoot on the streets of southern
Commercials: The
commercial production industry is worth $1.5 billion nationally, and
Most
location decisions are based upon:
Appearance:
Does the location closely match the requirements of the script?
Local
cooperation: Time is critical for any production
company. Companies need quick, solid
decisions made by local officials in order to stay on schedule. Consider the following: Can all of the
activities called for in the script (e.g., stunt sequences) be accomplished
with the full cooperation of local officials?
Is the business community receptive to the use of its business
district? Are neighborhoods tolerant of
the minor inconveniences filming may bring?)
Cost:
Is the cost of renting the location too high for the budget? Are accommodations, restaurants, prop and
equipment rental and labor too expensive?
Accessibility: Is
the site close to a major highway? What
is the travel time from
In
short, film development is a regional strategy for communities interested in
attracting motion picture production.
THE
The
California Film Office was established within the Department of Commerce in
January 1985 to attract and promote film production in
OBJECTIVES
The
California Film Commission is focusing on two areas: The reawakening of
communities statewide to the benefits of filming in their area; and the
reintroduction of the film industry to the beauty, diversity and simplicity of
shooting in
PROGRAMS
Locations: The CFC has a constantly expanding Location
Resource Library which includes over 90,000 catalogued photographs as well as
volumes of material on locations and services statewide. The office handles approximately 125 requests
daily.
Permits: Filming on state owned and operated property
is coordinated through the CFC. The
State has eliminated all use fees and can turn around a permit in 24 hours or less. The CFC will issue nearly 1,000 permits this
year.
Community
Development: The CFC
is pleased to have the assistance of over 50 liaisons statewide representing
individual city and county efforts to attract filmmaking. This group is called FLICS (Film Liaisons in
Marketing and
Promotion: The CFC has developed the Scouting Handbook
that documents locations statewide as well as highlights of some of
Ombudsmanship: The CFC acts as a
"red-tape cutter" for production problems on the local level and as
an intermediary for communities in their dealings with film companies. The office fields 15-20 "assists"
per week from production companies, local government and the private sector.
CITY OF
l. PURPOSE
The primary purpose for attracting film
development in the community is to increase local revenues, provide temporary
jobs and increase the use of local services and supplies. Secondary goals include strengthening local
business and increasing exposure which may encourage other industries such as
tourism to invest in local development.
Community film development can:
* Provide temporary employment for local
residents
* Generate
local revenue
* Bolster
local business
* Increase
use of otherwise unused facilities.
2. COORDINATION EFFORTS
The City of
The key person would:
* Respond to location requests from the
film industry or the California Film Commission.
* Serve as film coordinator when film
production is in the Taft area. This includes coordinating film permits,
accommodations and production services.
The key person should be aware of any previous film production within
the community and remain sensitive to local citizens' concerns.
3. FILM PROCEDURES
A. Advance Notice for Approval: An applicant will be required to submit a
permit request at least one working day prior to the date on which such person
desires to conduct an activity for which a permit is required. If such activity interferes with traffic or
involves potential public safety hazards, an application may be required at
least three working days in advance. To
assist the City in providing smooth operations, as much advance notice as
possible is recommended.
B. Clean Up: The permittee shall conduct operations in an
orderly fashion with continuous attention to the storage of equipment not in
use and the cleanup of trash and debris.
C. Filming on Private Property: An applicant is required to obtain the
property owner's permission, consent, and/or lease for use of property not
owned or controlled by the city.
D. Flood Control: When filming in a flood control channel, an
applicant must vacate the channel when the permit indicates because of water
releases. Please note that when filming
in or on flood control properties, the agency must be named as an additional
insured.
E. Public Works Department (Roads and
Streets): If the applicant must park
equipment, trucks, and/or cars in zones that will not permit it, temporary
"No Parking" signs must be posted by the city. The applicant must also obtain permission to
string cable across sidewalks, or from generator to service point.
If it is necessary to close a street, City
Council approval by resolution must first be obtained in accordance with
California Vehicle Code Section 21101(e).
F. Traffic Control: For filming that would impair traffic flow,
an applicant must use Taft Police Department enforcement personnel and comply
with all traffic control requirements deemed necessary. In adjoining county areas, an applicant must
use the California Highway Patrol.
1. An applicant shall furnish and install
advance warning signs and any other traffic control devices in conformance with
the Manual of Traffic Controls, State of
2. Traffic may be restricted to one
12-foot lane of traffic and/or stopped intermittently. The period of time that traffic may be
restricted will be determined by the city, based on location.
3. Traffic shall not be detoured across a
double line without prior approval of the appropriate department
representative.
4. Unless authorized by the city, the
camera cars must be driven in the direction of traffic and must observe all
traffic laws.
5.
Any emergency road work or construction
by city or county crews and/or private contractors, under permit or contract to
the appropriate department, shall have priority over filming activities.
G. Parking Lots: When parking in a parking
lot, an applicant may be billed according to the current rate schedule
established by the city.
4. PRODUCTION
ASSISTANCE
When a company decides to film within the City
of
* Confirm the company's credibility
through the California Film Commission.
* Provide the company with
The City of
* Require the company to produce a
certificate of insurance naming the city as additional insured to cover
liability. (A sample insurance certificate is included with the Filming
Permit/Application.)
* Coordinate the issuance of required city,
public works, fire and law enforcement permits. Offer police support during
filming to insure that public safety concerns are addressed.
While the company
is filming, every effort will be made to assure that the community is
Permittee
waives all claims against City, its officers, agents, employees and volunteers,
for loss or damage caused by, arising out of or in any way connected with the
exercise of this permit and permittee agrees to hold harmless, indemnify and
defend City, its officers, agents, employees and volunteers, from any and all
loss, damage or liability which may be suffered or incurred by City, its officers,
agents, employees and volunteers caused by, arising out of or in any way
connected with exercise by permittee of the rights hereby permitted, except
those arising out of the sole negligence of City.
City
shall have the privilege of inspecting the premises covered by this permit at
any or all times.
This
permit shall not be assigned.
City
may terminate this permit at any time if permittee fails to perform any
covenant herein contained at the time and in the manner herein provided. City agrees it will not unreasonably exercise
this right of termination.
The
parties hereto agree that the permittee, its officers, agents and employees, in
the performance of this permit shall act in an independent capacity and not as
officers, employees or agents of the City.
No
alteration or variation of the terms of this permit shall be valid unless made
in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
Permittee
will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because
of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, age, national origin or physical
handicap.
Permittee
agrees to comply with the terms and conditions contained in the attached
Filming Ordinance, Filming Permit/Application and any other special
requirements deemed necessary by the City.
The
permittee hereby agrees to comply with all the rules and regulations of the
facility or institution subject to this permit.
Permit
must be kept on site at all times.
_________________________________ ________________________
Signature
of Authorized Representative Date
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