all the people who helped
make it come together.
We're already starting
to work on the plans for
next year's panel to keep
building on the amazing
success we've had to make
sure next year's will be
even bigger and better.
Editors' note: The sizzle
reel and full panel video
can be viewed online at
http://locationmanagers
.org/comic-con or on the
LMGI YouTube Channel.
City Council members spoke
their mind in a three-hour
meeting about filming laws
on September 26 at New
York City's historic City
Hall. They challenged the
Mayor's Office of Media
and Entertainment (MOME)
performance and policies.
They are requesting a 14-
day advance notification
requirement for film/
TV permits that require
special parking requests.
MOME Commissioner
Anne del Castillo pushed
back explaining that this
industry cannot work with
such constraints. Castillo,
Deputy Commissioner Dean
McCann and the MOME
legal council were in the
hot seat on many subjects.
The Council also proposes
an increase in permit fees.
MOME admirably defended
production, the permit
process and First Amendment
rights, vigorously debating
lead time, neighborhood
notice and fees.
LMGI Board member Les
Fincher testified, defending
location professionals'
common practice of making
donations to neighborhood
associations, as well
supporting local churches
and community centers by
renting them for holding
areas. Spending locally for
"walk away" lunches and
being respectful guests by
maintaining sidewalk and
street passage, the Location
Department strives to be
a good neighbor, making
filming a win-win experience.
Fincher also pointed out the
efforts of MOME to monitor
neighborhood filming activity
and maintain a fair use status
list.
Teamster Local 817
President Tommy O'Donnell
represented local film
unions, speaking in detail
of the increased number
of industry workers and
positive economic impact
of production in New York
City. He supports MOME and
the NYPD Movie-TV Unit,
encouraging an increase in
staffing.
Representatives from Edge
Auto, AICP, Radical Media,
New York Production
Alliance, Broadway Stages
and others testified
supporting small businesses
and the broad range of
industry-related services.
NYC City
Council
Challenges
Filming
Practices
New York City's historic City Hall, site of the MOME film permit hearing.
Photo by Les Fincher/LMGI