Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area - Getting a Film Permit: Step by Step (U.S. National Park Service)

1) Pick the site that works for you and determine which agency permits it
2) Contact the agency to check out availability and get the application
3) Fill out the application, with details (stunts, FX, children, animals, set construction, driving shots, etc.)
4) While we process your application, arrange for an insurance certificate.
5) Discuss the tech scout with us
6) Sign the permit and arrange for payment of permit costs.
7) Arrange for assistance from other agencies.
8) Immediately share information about changes, cancellations or re-scheduling.
9) Comply with the rules and conditions of the permit while you have a successful shoot

The Tech Scout

Remember to include us in your plans for a tech scout of the site. That's the best time to clear up all the details that the different departments really want to know. We know the best place to park the dressing room trailer, and where the sun sets, and can even point out the poison oak. It also helps us to be able to talk with the department heads as they are planning their work. Including us in the tech scout makes the filming day go smoother for everyone.

Insurance:

Evidence of commercial liability insurance is required. The insurance certificate you present must:

   * identify the production company by name with the business address.If there is another company name involved, the relationship between thetwo company names must be indicated on the certificate.
   * name the "U. S. Government, National Park Service" as additionallyinsured. Use the address of our headquarters , 401 West Hillcrest Dr.Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. Certificates which only name us as"certificate holder" are not acceptable.
    * indicate commercial liability insurance coverage. Personal or homeowners liability is not acceptable.
    * be generated by the insurance company. Hand written "certificate holder" information is unacceptable.

We will accept a FAX copy of the certificate until your insurance company can mail us the original.

Although the National Park Service only requires commercial liabilityinsurance, you must also adhere to insurance requirements set by theState of California, including workman's compensation.

Generally the minimum acceptable amount of liability insurance is$1,000,000.00 each occurrence. High risk activities or activities whichmay have the potential for resource impact may require higher liabilityamounts. Still photography or projects involving less than ten peoplemay be eligible for a reduction to $500,000.00. Contact our office fordetails.

A request for a permit may be denied if there is no proof of adequate insurance.

We keep insurance certificates on file until they expire. If we haveyour current certificate on file, you will not have to submit anadditional certificate. We will also accept automatic renewals.

There is special insurance information for students, for photographers and for news media.

Film California First Rebate Program

The State of California has set aside money to reimburse production companies for certain costs associated with filming on public lands throughout California. Productions must meet certain qualifications to receive rebates. Additional information is available through the Film California First website. (http://www.filmcafirst.ca.gov)

Project Clearance Review

The Project Clearance Review process was created to allow us toefficiently evaluate complex projects. Your project may need to gothrough a Project Clearance Review if it proposes to

    * build temporary sets
    * make permanent additions or alterations to the Western Town set at Paramount Ranch
    * use a site for more than two weeks
    * dig into the ground, cut or clear brush or otherwise manipulate natural resources
    * bring in animals other than horses or dogs
    * use an area not normally used for filming or other special park uses
    * use the site in a new or unusual way, or exceeds the group size limit for the site.

     Sometimes complex issues can be addressed through creative problemsolving instead of formal project clearance review. Call the SpecialPark Uses office to discuss the project at the earliest stage ofplanning.

      When a Project Clearance Review must be completed, you will need to provide us as much information as possible including:
    * detailed description of all the proposed activity (rough sketches are welcome)
    * names and phone numbers of key people
    * tentative dates for site preparation, filming, clean up and site restoration
   * a map showing all aspects of your project including proposedfilming locations, staging areas, base camp, and crew parking.

We will evaluate:

    * potential for impacts to on-going operations of NPS, co-operators, and other permittees
    * potential for impacts to park resources and what mitigation measures must be taken
    * if there are any potential long-term benefits associated with your proposal
   * the estimated cost of repair or site restoration if you are notsuccessful in cleaning up and restoring the site after your project.

If you propose to make permanent changes in the Western Town set we will also consider:

    * if the change fits into the overall look and character of the set
    * if the construction will meet NPS standards for safety and durability
    * whether the change is appropriate within the context of the historic landscape
    * how the change will impact or contribute to other normal operations of the site.

If the proposal does not meet all criteria, it can still be consideredas a temporary change, but you will be required to restore the WesternTown set to its previous condition.

We will take the information you provide and route it through variousstaff members for their input and recommendations. We must also reviewthe proposal for potential impact to buried cultural resources. We willtrack the amount of time spent reviewing the proposal and will bill youfor the staff review time.

Please, remember you are dealing with a Federal government agency andwe have guidelines and time lines we must follow when consideringprojects which involve potential impacts to our park resources. And wemust do this within the pre-existing projects and work loads. In otherwords, Don't expect a one week turn around. Give us as much lead timeas possible. Include us at the idea stage. It is easier for us toadjust to changes as the plan evolves, than for us to try to rushthrough a review of a finished plan that needs to be implementedtomorrow.

As a condition of approval, we may require you to have an environmentalmonitor on site during site preparation and clean up. For example, ifwe allow you to dig a hole, you must have an NPS approved archeologistmonitor the work and submit a report on any cultural remains youencounter. If you propose to cut brush, we may require you to have abotanist survey the site beforehand to flag sensitive plants which mustbe avoided. You will be required to pay for the services of theseprofessionals.

Please remember that this is a National Park Service site and we areprotecting resources for generations to come. We take thatresponsibility seriously.