filming rights/permits for an independent movie?

Question by haystack2082: filming rights/permits for an independent movie?
i’m in the VERY early planning stages of making my first movie in north carolina. it’s going to be a VERY low budget independent film. it’s going to have that “fake documentary” style like “This is Spinal Tap!” but it’s going to be about something completely different, and i’m going to try to use my friends as actors. during filming, i plan to use the outside of buildings, but i’m not going to show anything that gives away the name of the building/business. however, i do plan to have one shot that contains a view of a sign that marks the boundary of the city i live in. it will be kinda like an establishing shot. also, i plan to maybe having a shot of someone inside their car as they’re driving down a public road. i read on the north carolina film commission that i need to inform them if i, or anyone, was planning on filming on public roads. do i need to get the rights to film the sign? and do i need permission to film inside a car while it’s being driven down a public road?

Best answer:

Answer by David B
You should contact both the state film commission and an experienced entertainment attorney in the state in which you plan to do your filming. The good news is that the information you get from the state commission will be free.

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