New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting Launches Online Permit System

December 20, 2011 in Industry News | Permalink

October 3, 2011 - The Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting will now accept permit applications online at https://nyceventpermits.nyc.gov/film/. Productions will have the ability to apply for new project accounts and submit their location requests from any computer with internet access. All new projects will be required to use the online system.

Productions must submit their applications at least 48 business hours in advance to ensure that permits are processed and that all parking requests are granted. For anyone needing additional assistance, please visit our office at 1697 Broadway, and our staff can walk you through the online system.

The City of New York Mayor’s Office of Film Theatre & Broadcasting
1697 Broadway Suite 602, New York, New York 10019.

Link to Original Article

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Filming Without a Permit Could Really Cost You

December 20, 2011 in Industry News | Permalink

Posted by: FilmL.A.    Originally Posted date:  December 19, 2011

In tough economic times, individuals, families and businesses find ways to slash budgets, streamline and “go without”.  One such risky ploy to save money seems be happening more frequently — production companies “going without” a film permit.  While pinching pennies is prudent, filming without a permit is illegal and can be costly.

It’s been two years now since the Los Angeles Police Department’s film permit enforcement powers were clarified under a revised Special Events Ordinance.  Passed into law in the fall of 2009, the ordinance revised section 41.20 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) to make it a misdemeanor offense for production companies to film without a permit or engage in activities not covered by their permits.

Since the ordinance’s passage, the LAPD’s Contract Services Section Film Unit has made arrests and filed charges against film producers for section 41.20 violations.  As recently as last week, the LAPD unit arrested a filmmaker for such an offense.  In addition to arrest and fine, the LAPD may also confiscate filming equipment until a court hearing — a pricey penalty if that equipment is rented.  Moreover, insurance companies will refuse to pay any claims made for accidents on unpermitted productions, because the activity was illegal.

Balancing the needs of filmmakers with those of the community hosting on-location production is tricky.  Filming without a permit causes unnecessary grief for local communities because it circumvents basic neighborhood protections established through the permit.  With no advance Notice of Filming given to residents (and merchants), community members are unable to share any concerns about filming before it happens.

Many of us are passionate about keeping film production local and work to become as film friendly as possible.  This, however, does not mean we should look the other way when film productions shoot illegally out of a desire to keep the industry here.  Failing to hold the industry to its professional obligations to neighborhoods is not in the industry’s long-term interest.  If we can’t protect neighborhoods, we can’t keep them available for future generations of filmmakers.

If you encounter unpermitted filming activity, please call FilmL.A. immediately.

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Errors and Omissions Insurance (E&O)

May 13, 2011 in Program Questions | Permalink

When should a producer or owner of content purchase E&O insurance?

Often, production contracts mandate that Errors & Omissions insurance is in force during the entire phase of the production cycle. In reality, this line of coverage is primarily necessary at the point at which the completed product is ready for sale, broadcast, distribution or some other method of transfer.

There are two types of policy forms for your consideration, and they each have very significant differences.

The first is the Occurrence basis. An Occurrence basis policy affords coverage in perpetuity to claims arising from Scheduled titles that incur covered claims from the Scheduled Title that meet the policy criteria for a trigger or an acceptable Occurrence. Typical Occurrences for these types of claims, depending on the actual policy terms, may include the sale, distribution or broadcast of the Scheduled Title.

The second, a Claims Made policy, has provisions that dictate that the claim must be made during the policy period. Although this may may translate into a slight premium saving, this policy type requires that the policy is renewed or remains in force for multiple years for coverage to apply.

In our opinion, your project is always best served by an Occurrence policy form, if available.

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Personal Articles Floater

May 13, 2011 in Program Questions | Permalink

Why purchase a Personal Articles Floater?

Every Homeowners, Condo or Renters policy limits the coverage for high value items. The most common items that are underinsured on such policies are fine artworks, jewelry, watches and wine collections. Typically, basic policies that insure your residence have sublimits on the contents for these items. To address this potentially significant gap in coverage, insurers created the Personal Articles Floater.

This policy form insures high value property at appraised values. The insurance carrier we use has an A rating from A.M. Best, offers coverage with a Worldwide Territory and no Deductible.

Insurance industry reports indicate that over 75% of personal insurance policies have insufficient limits in the event of a total loss. Exercise due diligence with your broker and ensure that you will have enough coverage to restore your lifestyle to the point enjoyed prior to any claim.

Should you wish to obtain a free, no-obligation quote on your high-value property, feel free to complete our online application accessible from the following page: Personal Articles Floater Program

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Insurance Glossary for Productions

April 2, 2011 in Coverage Questions | Permalink

Please review the Glossary of Insurance Terms For Productions for an abbreviated description of insurance coverages available for Film & Video Productions.

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What is an Additional Insured?

April 2, 2011 in Coverage Questions | Permalink

Most locations, whether the venue for an event or a location for film & video shoots, require to be named as an Additional Insured. Furthermore, cities and government agencies that grant permits, will also require to be named as an Additional Insured on a General Liability policy.

This insurance mechanism, grants those specifically named entities, limited defense of negligence attributed to the Policyholder for which the Additionally Insured entity may be held liable.

In some cases, Additional Insured Endorsements that broaden language and coverage, will be requested. These Endorsements usually incur an Additional Premium.

It is important to understand that the insurance carrier does not have the same Duty to Defend obligations to the Additional Insured that it does to the Policyholder.

Each carrier has very specific procedures for naming Additional Insureds. Additional Insured status must be confirmed with the agent/broker prior to the scheduled/insured activity.

Evidence of Additional Insured status is provided via a Certificate of Insurance (COI). These are commonly issued by your Agent or Broker. As fraudulent COIs are rampant in this industry, please exercise due diligence by contacting the broker/agent and/or insurance carrier to verify policy number, coverages, limits and terms.

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What is General Liability Insurance?

April 2, 2011 in Coverage Questions | Permalink

It is important to understand what is and what is not covered by the policies/lines of coverage you buy for your event or project.

One of the most common misunderstandings concerns General Liability coverage. Because of the use of the term ‘General’, clients often assume that coverage is broader in scope than in actuality.

General Liability, in very simple terms, is Bodily Injury and Property Damage coverage to Third Parties (people not related to the shoot, or attendees/spectators to events). On most policies, there are exclusions to property that is in your ‘care, custody or control’. For example, rented/owned equipment, auto-related incidents and damage to a location, are not covered by General Liability coverage.

There are separate lines of coverage specifically designed to address these exposures. Among them are Miscellaneous Rented Equipment/Owned Equipment, Commercial Auto, Hired & Non-Owned Auto and Third Party Property Damage.

Bodily Injury to cast, crew and volunteers, whether compensated or not, is excluded. Such claims would typically fall under Worker’s Compensation Insurance.

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