How Not to Get Arrested while Shooting Video

Turning a Video Hobby into a Video Business

The first rule of shooting video in a free country is that, in general, you have a right to photograph, film, draw, tape record, paint, sketch or record any subject you wish. But your rights are not absolute. Depending on specific circumstances, the counterbalancing rights of others may limit your activities. For example, at certain locations (e.g., museums, theaters, arenas, restaurants, retail stores, stadiums, other places of amusement and even government structures), administrators may establish their own rules, if they wish, to prohibit the use of lights, flashbulbs, tripods, video cameras, cables, microphones, or any other photographic or recording equipment.

The purposes of such prohibitive rules may vary. A concert promoter may not wish to encourage copyright infringement by the use of camcorders or tape recorders. A museum curator may not wish to have works of art endangered by flashbulbs and movie lights, or patrons inconvenienced by rescheduling or by closed exhibition areas. A property owner may wish to discourage members of the public from visiting the premises, based on the perceived nuisance of errant cables or unidentified flying photographic equipment. The property owner may be under-insured for personal injuries or damages to property that may result from negligent behavior on the part of the videographer. A police officer may not wish to have traffic--vehicular or pedestrian - obstructed. Nor may public or private administrators wish to risk exposure to legal actions based on hazards, dangers, nuisances or invasion of privacy.

In general, a videographer's right to shoot on a public street or in a park is clear, so long as he or she does not interfere with traffic, or injure people or property by a hazardous placing or use of equipment and props. In congested areas, such as bigger cities or frequently visited parks and preserves, a permit may be necessary. You can usually obtain film, photographic and videographic permits relating to national and state parks and preserves from the appropriate park superintendent, if necessary.

Learn more at "Keeping it Legal with Location and Artist Release Forms"

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