Wow. So, if you are filming a "production" (will come back to this) in Los Angeles County, anywhere inside or outside (even in your own home!), you will need a permit to publish it. All permits are handled by an entity called FilmLA and their website is here: http://www.filmla.com/getting_started.php
If you film without a permit and then publish it, your production can be confiscated or shut down during production. So, what is a production? One which has actors, conveys information, sells a product, has dramatic or non-dramatic elements, or even still photos! You can get around this with green screens somewhat. This does not prohibit "personal use". Here is the exact wording copied and pasted:
Laws regarding film permit requirements are established by the jurisdictions that FilmL.A. serves. In the City of Los Angeles, Section 12.22, Subsection 13 of the Los Angeles City Ordinance specifies that a film permit is required for the filming of commercial motion pictures (including television and other like projects) and still photography. Please contact FilmL.A. if you have questions about whether a permit is required for your specific project. Generally speaking, non-commercial filming (personal use) does not require a film permit.
The film industry is locked down tight and is cost prohibitive to even do on your own. The fee for a permit is over $600, and that does not count any additional fees you might have to pay to local authorities for added protection or the ability to detour traffic or pedestrians. Even just standing on the sidewalk without a crew or additional vehicles requires a permit if you intend to shoot the location and use it in something to be published.
The problem is that the definitions of personal and commercial productions differs only when in front of the judge. Most private filmmakers get crushed in court when challenges are brought by a larger film entity or city authorities or even private individuals who get caught in the background but did not consent to being in the video. It is almost case by case.
I thought this was interesting because I really would like to start doing film as a hobby.
If you film without a permit and then publish it, your production can be confiscated or shut down during production. So, what is a production? One which has actors, conveys information, sells a product, has dramatic or non-dramatic elements, or even still photos! You can get around this with green screens somewhat. This does not prohibit "personal use". Here is the exact wording copied and pasted:
Laws regarding film permit requirements are established by the jurisdictions that FilmL.A. serves. In the City of Los Angeles, Section 12.22, Subsection 13 of the Los Angeles City Ordinance specifies that a film permit is required for the filming of commercial motion pictures (including television and other like projects) and still photography. Please contact FilmL.A. if you have questions about whether a permit is required for your specific project. Generally speaking, non-commercial filming (personal use) does not require a film permit.
The film industry is locked down tight and is cost prohibitive to even do on your own. The fee for a permit is over $600, and that does not count any additional fees you might have to pay to local authorities for added protection or the ability to detour traffic or pedestrians. Even just standing on the sidewalk without a crew or additional vehicles requires a permit if you intend to shoot the location and use it in something to be published.
The problem is that the definitions of personal and commercial productions differs only when in front of the judge. Most private filmmakers get crushed in court when challenges are brought by a larger film entity or city authorities or even private individuals who get caught in the background but did not consent to being in the video. It is almost case by case.
I thought this was interesting because I really would like to start doing film as a hobby.
An average laptop can be used to do way more advanced stuff than whole studios could back in the 1960s and 70s!