Can You Take Pictures Without Permission?
When you’re thinking about filming something in the city and you call a film crew with you, problems can arise. They are mainly related to laws that violate the Constitution and restrict the gathering of people. The same Constitution says that people have the right to gather anywhere and anytime, but who read it. Our task is to shoot a commercial in the right locations, and for this we need a team. Usually it includes from three to as many participants as you like. In large productions, when shooting a commercial is going on, there can be a hundred people on the site.
Of course, when such a significant number of people gather in one place, you need to take care of their safety. First of all, for the safety of team members and people around who want to stare at this event. For such large-scale filming, you need to contact administrations, executive committees and similar organizations in advance. They will provide ambulances on duty at the site, security in the amount of several police officers. You can even request a fire brigade with a car if dangerous stunts are planned. Additionally, you can order rain of any complexity, which is organized by rescuers.
Filming without permission
If you are shooting without permission, then you need to be on the alert. It also happened that the team went to the city center, a little away from the main filming location. Policemans could not even imagine that it was possible to be so insolent and take pictures without permission. Therefore, they thought that we certainly had permission to shoot. If your production is small and you are filming, for example, a cameraman and a director together, then there is no point in coordinating the shooting. The same applies if you have a model with you that you need to take a photo or video.
Even if policemans approach you, don’t be afraid or panic because you’re not breaking anything. Calmly tell us what you are doing here, what you are filming and you can even show and leave your business card. Adequate people also work there, and a good photographer and videographer will someday come in handy for them. When you say that you do everything according to the law, do not interfere with anyone and do not make noise, then they will not care about you. In local realities, they will ask if we are filming something oppositional. Here it is worth inventing a legend, if this is true.
Risks of filming without approval
In general, self-censorship in the film industry has gone too far. Everyone is surrounded by a veil of danger and filters their words if they do it in public. Of course, I do not welcome such an approach, and I think that the problem should be discussed. When someone seizes power and suppresses people’s protests against his illegitimacy, you need to respond with creativity. When one traveled grandfather decides to start a war in order to restore the “evil empire”, then this also needs to be talked about. Sticking your tongue between the buns will only delay the dumbbells sinking between them.
But with this approach, she will definitely get to them. Such work requires risk, since you will not be given permission to film. You either need to shoot without permission or try to get permission to shoot. When you’re trying to get filming approved, you’re submitting a logline and a synopsis of the story, telling what it’s about. If it seems to the coordinating authorities that the story is dangerous for them, then you will not be given permission to shoot. Shooting without permission in this case is the only way out for you. There are a number of useful steps you need to take.
What security measures to take?
First, you must clearly study and understand the laws of your country. Even better than any police officer, so that he cannot confuse you. When you know the laws, you can manipulate them yourself. In our region, in Belarus and Russia, some laws are written in such a way that they can be interpreted in two ways. So, as beneficial to the decisive party. This allows you to take any citizen for Faberge at any convenient moment to catch and shake like Pinocchio. And when the gold coins are in the hands of policemans, let the poor fellow go on filming his videos again.
Secondly, you should accept responsibility for the fact that the police may consider you a lawbreaker. See in advance what sanctions are provided for violation of articles of the Criminal Code, Civil Code. As far as filming is concerned, these are usually small fines and possibly 15 days in jail. But what Belarusian has not been on such a wonderful vacation? All real Belarusians have already gone through this. Of course, it all depends on the severity of your scenario for your police. If they consider you very creative, then for impudence they can replace a day for years.
Filming without permission in the CIS
This is the main problem of filming in Belarus and Russia. It is very difficult or impossible to film a truly large-scale and creative work about what is happening here. In this case, Vilnius, Warsaw and the nearest cities, where many of our guys already live, remain the safest options. Despite the fact that large shootings there also need to be agreed, there you will not be limited in topics. No one will ask if you can make your film or not. There you won’t have to limit yourself and censor yourself, but at the same time everything will probably be many times more expensive there.
The cost of renting a location, the fees of specialists and actors will be much higher. Of course, this is offset by a larger amount of the contract for the work. There you can sell projects much more expensive, and there is a demand for them. People have a more subtle taste, which means they are more interested in complex projects. If you take photos of people without permission, you can be sued for using their images. The same is happening with us, so it is worth fixing the agreements on paper. A simple one page contract. Festivals also require clearing rights.
What could be the consequences?
By the way, what will happen to you if you do not get permission to shoot and start filming? Nothing special abroad and probably a lot of interesting things will happen to you here. Here – it means in the countries of the former CIS. First, important authorities will come up to you and ask what you are doing here and who brought you here. To do this, you need to honestly tell with the most kind face that you are shooting a film, clip or advertisement. Then, most likely, they will ask you why you are here, and you, while still not letting a tear, should tell you how sad everything is with the locations.
At this point, the story can go two ways. The police may ask you to leave and shoot somewhere else. Naturally, no one will offer you alternative options. The second likely option is if you are asked to quickly finish everything and quietly leave. This is ideal, as you will shoot the material you need. And at such moments, the shooting usually goes somehow unusually quickly and well. All team members immediately become as efficient as ever. The third option, which is also the saddest, is when you are quickly charged with an administrative violation or detained until clarified.
Punishment options for filming without approval
If at the same time no one will touch the equipment and it will remain with you, then this is good. Particularly impudent policemans may have their eyes on your cameras and lenses. Or not yours, but rent, but this is no better. In this case, you should demand a protocol in your hands, an inventory of the seized equipment, and then contact a lawyer, with whom you will return it from the hands of policemans. Of course, there is a risk that you and your equipment will be detained abroad until clarification, but thanks to the working laws, it will not be taken away from you.
Filming without permission can be punished in Belarus according to several articles. The choice of punishment for the police is richer than sugar in the store. The most common Article 23.34, which regulates organized events. If it suddenly seems to the police that you are missing just this article in your life, then there are several parts of it to choose from. The light option is when you are given a warning and released. It can be issued on the spot, and you do not need to pay anything. You will be warned and asked to leave, and filming without approval will fail, but you can go to another location.
There is also an option with a fine or detention and a fine. It is less successful, especially if you have rented expensive rental equipment. Often in the contracts of these rents for individuals there are no large fines for such a case. Some rentals, especially for legal entities, include conditions under which you are obliged to compensate them for the cost of equipment delivery for the entire delay. And some rentals, who especially appreciate their customers, also enter a fine in the amount of the cost of the equipment the very next day after the non-return. Just a place to film.
Findings
Therefore, there are two opinions on the topic of whether shooting without permission is allowed. Yes and no. It all depends on what you want to shoot and what team. If the production is complex and the equipment is expensive, then it is better to play it safe. Approval of shooting is a rather complicated process, which takes 2-4 weeks. It’s tiring and my brain has no idea how it could be made so cringy, realizing that this whole process is completely absurd. First, you need to contact the executive committee (analogous to uzhonda in Poland) with a description of your event.
You must also specify the exact location, duration, and whether you need additional services. Their presence usually depends on the number of people on the site and the complexity of the scene. You will be required to conclude an agreement with the police, ambulance, and rescue service. If there are tricks on the site, then lifeguards will not be superfluous. And if you need rain, then they are priceless. The most profitable rain on the sites is made by the lifeguards. If you need help getting filming permission, please contact us at the production. Call and we will help.