RE: NPC Shoot Out

["Carol Green" <carolgreen>]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6820379,00.html

Paul,

The link was to an article in the Guardian newspaper here in the UK. I've
copied the text here for you - i think it's worth a read.

carol


NYC Might Demand Permits for Filming

Wednesday August 1, 2007 1:46 PM


By DAVID B. CARUSO

Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - Civil liberties advocates are gearing up for a potential court
fight over proposed rules that would force filmmakers and photographers to get
permits and $1 million insurance policies to film or take pictures in one of
the world's most photographed cities.

New regulations drafted by the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and
Broadcasting would require a permit for any type of filming or photography
that involved ``an interaction among two or more people at a single site for
30 or more minutes.''

Permits would also be required for five or more people using a tripod for more
than 10 minutes.

The rules would be nothing new for professional crews that film regularly in
the city; they have long been required to get a permit and insurance to block
off streets and sidewalks.

But critics say the proposed rules would affect a new class of shooters:
fashion and wedding photographers, independent journalists doing street
interviews, and amateurs making videos to post online.

The New York Civil Liberties Union is prepared to take action against the
regulations in court if they're enacted without revision, said one of the
organization's lawyers, Christopher Dunn.

``There is no way that they should be requiring permits for people using
handheld cameras,'' Dunn said. ``It would give the police license to stop
virtually anyone, and that opens the door to harassment.''

Documentary filmmaker Jennifer Livingston called the proposal ``draconian,''
and a betrayal of the city's long history of nurturing budding talent.

``Think of that young artist who is going to be hurried along by some cop, who
has no choice but to follow regulations,'' she said. ``I would hate to see
film students thinking that any time they make an image, it has to be
sanctioned by the government.''

City officials insist the rules aren't an attempt to quash free speech.

People unable to afford liability insurance, which could cost between $500 and
$1,000 for even the smallest of photo shoots, could apply to the city for a
waiver.

Journalists with a press pass issued by the police department would be exempt.
So would anyone using handheld equipment to film a parade, rally or political
demonstration.

Julianne Cho, associate commissioner of the film office, said the city's only
intention was to help filmmakers get safe access to great locations, while
ensuring that production didn't obstruct traffic or interfere with New
Yorkers' lives.

The city is accepting public comment on the proposed rules until Friday and
could still make changes.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, photographers of all types have increasingly
complained about harassment.

D. Bruce Yolton, an amateur nature photographer, said he was run off by a
police officer last spring when he tried to take pictures of a hawk nesting on
the Triborough Bridge.

Things will only get worse under the new rules, he said. He wondered whether
the regulations would result in officers cracking down on groups of amateur
bird watchers gathering to stake out wildlife.

``There is no way for me to apply for a permit,'' he said. ``For one thing, I
never know where the bird is going to be.''

The film office drafted the proposed rules earlier this year as a result of a
lawsuit involving an independent filmmaker detained for using a handheld video
camera in midtown Manhattan.

Rakesh Sharma, the Indian director of the award-winning 2003 documentary
``Final Solution,'' was told he needed a permit to record images of the
MetLife building near Grand Central Terminal, even if he had no crew and no
equipment besides his camera.

The New York Civil Liberties Union sued, arguing, in part, that the city had
never properly enacted regulations governing film permits. The case was
settled and the film office agreed to formalize its rules.