How can I get around this issue for my new movie?

[The Guru]

According to my mate the Production Manager, there's a couple of things to bear in mind...
It's an offence to re-create a crime in a public place but... providing the local constabulary are informed, and you have sensible safety precautions, they won't usually take action.
It's not an offence to have an immitation firearm but it is an offence to use anything capable of "discharging a missile or projectile" in a public place.

Having worked on numerous micro-budget productions, and combining experiences from them, I suggest the following...
1. Have the crew dressed in Hi-visibility jackets (available from Halfords, B&Q) etc. and have a couple of helpers available to make sure that no unsuspecting members of the public wander onto the set.
2. Go personally to the local police station and let them know who you are, what you're doing and the name and mobile number of the Production Manager (or whoever's in charge). If you have a copy of the script, so much the better.
3. Have an "armourer", someone responsible who "issues" the guns before the shoot and collects them after "cut". There's nothing worse than actors wandering around with guns in their hands for getting unwanted attention from passers-by.

Finally, Get ready for the numerous geeks who will appear from nowhere once you start shooting.

[mrlipring]

Originally Posted by Marc Peters Record the telephone conversation . I never knew this, but you can record any telcon as long as at least one party knows they're being recorded. That one party can be you!

That's not strictly the law.

If it's to be used for YOUR reference only, ie you're not going to play the tape back to anyone but the person on the other side of the phone and yourself, it's perfectly legal to record it without telling the other party.

and for businesses...

"A business or other organisation can record or monitor phone calls n a limited set of circumstances relevant for that business which has been defined by the LBP Regulations. The main ones are:

* to provide evidence of a business transaction
* to ensure that a business complies with regulatory procedures
* to see that quality standards or targets are being met
* in the interests of national security
* to prevent or detect crime
* to investigate the unauthorised use of a telecom system
* to secure the effective operation of the telecom system.

Businesses do not have to tell if they are going to record or monitor phone calls. As long as the recording or monitoring is done for one of the above purposes the only obligation on businesses is to inform their own employees. If businesses want to record for any other purpose, such as market research, they will have to obtain your consent."

so, generally, go for it!

[mrlipring]

Originally Posted by TradeSecrets Finally, Get ready for the numerous geeks who will appear from nowhere once you start shooting.

Yep. We actually had a box of guns when some junkies were bothering us for money. If only we'd pulled a piece on them, it could've been so different... That's what we get for filming off the trongate.

Oh, and if you film anything in glasgow in public, be prepared for "is this for taggart?" whether you're filming on a tiny miniDV camera, or a massive super16 beast with dolly etc.

Actually, i was off about glasgow with my stills camera a few months ago, and i managed to attract one of the weirdest geeks i've ever met. Bag full of cameras, no friends, 45 and lives with his dad. Was drawn to me when he saw my camera, and i couldn't get away for 20 minutes. I have no idea what he was on about.

[CadburyBeaver]

Here an idea for your next film.

A group of young movie makers, wanting to film a bank robbery. they get police to supervise, the bank helps out, by letiing them use the branch. (in fact there very pleased with the publicity.) everythings legal and above board. but then they actually rob the bank, drive away in the getaway vehical, leaving the poor cameraman wondering when the actors are coming back.

[Alan Mills]

Thanks for the further input people. by the seounds of it though, you might all be taking my next little production a tad too seriously. It'll just be me and a handful of friends doing a pretend shootout in some woods. We will hardly be in public and no-one is at all likely to see us.

We'll be right off the beaten track about a mile away from the nearest road and that will be a windy coutnry road. We shouldn't need to worry about gawkers at all.

but yes, after my enquirioes I intend to get full permission in writing. not sure I want the expense of buying everyone special jackets but will put up enough posters tolet anyone walking by (typically with their dog) the heads up on what's going on.

Should be fun.

[CadburyBeaver]

I can see it now, the main protagnist laying dead with a gunshot to the head, and a jack russle running on and licking his face.

[Alan Mills]

Originally Posted by CadburyBeaver I can see it now, the main protagnist laying dead with a gunshot to the head, and a jack russle running on and licking his face.

And me, eating a sandwich, asking the owner of the dog if I can throw their dog a bit

[CadburyBeaver]

happend on resevoir dogs. boom boom. (or man bites dog, dog day afternoon. etc.)

[sheltor]

These guys may be able to help you out if you're in the South West of the country...

www.dragonvalley.co.uk/

I know one of the regulars and he's told me they're always happy for people to go and, excuse the pun, shoot them.