Student Filming

Any production associated with a class grade is considered a student project. Student projects are subject to the same rules and permit requirements as professional productions.  Students should not fill out the professional Production Registration Form.

CHECKLIST FOR STUDENT PRODUCTION PERMITS

• • Read the Student Filming Handout 
  • Determine the municipality(ies) where your filming activity will take place
  • Apply for a film permit(s) with the appropriate municipality
  • Upload your Notification Letter HERE
  • Pick up and pay for your permit(s)

*Note: After your permit is approved distribute your Notification Letter 48 hours before your filming begins

WHAT IS A MUNICIPALITY?

A municipality is a city or town that has corporate status and local government. We have 8 municipalities within Chatham County that each have their own unique student permitting process.  If you are unsure of which municipality governs your location, use the Sagis Map Viewer to make that determination. Click here to see how to use Sagis.

WHAT IS A PERMIT?

Permits are an official document giving someone authorization to film on municipally owned property. Permits are required for anything deemed “public property” such as streets, sidewalks, alleys, lanes, parks, squares, and beaches. Film permits do not grant access to private property. Some municipalities require film permits, regardless of filming on private or public property. This is especially true for certain activities that are in view of the public, such as stunts or special effects. For the most direct answers to your questions, please contact the permitting office of the municipality in which you desire to film.

WHAT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY?

The use of private property requires the permission of the property owner via a signed Location Agreement. A Location Agreement is a written contract between a private property owner and filmmaker(s) that gives permission to enter private property for the purpose of recording content, whether you are filming, taking photographs, or making any other recordings. Private property owners include homeowners, business owners, landlords and their tenants. While some buildings may seem “public,” location agreements must still be obtained to film in museums, schools, libraries and places of worship.
Film permits do not grant access to any private property. However, there are certain activities that require permits even when they occur on private property. These include stunts, special effects, excessive noise and certain activities that are visible to the public.

INSURANCE

Most locations require insurance for filming. Some schools provide insurance coverage, and some do not. If your school does not, you may be required to procure coverage.

FEES

Municipalities may charge for certain services such as permits, police, intermittent traffic control (ITC), parking, etc.  Please contact the appropriate municipality for direct answers.

NOTIFICATION

Your permit may require you to provide notification to the residents and businesses near the location. This must be completed at least 2 business days before the scheduled shoot day(s). All notification letters should be uploaded using THIS FORM.  Please reference each municipality’s Notification section for an example of a notification letter. Failure to notify as described in the permit is a violation.

 

City of Savannah City of Savannah Film Guidelines
Permit Procedure	NOTICE – In preparation of the St. Patrick’s Day Festival, the City of Savannah will NOT issue any student film permits March 3rd through the 18th. Permit requests submitted during this time may be delayed in being issued and will be handled in the order in which they are received. Fill out the City of Savannah Student Filming Permit Application no later than 5 business days before filming. All student productions must obtain a permit in order to gather on city-owned property if you have any of the following needs, and/or if your cast and crew size exceeds six (6) people. Special effects – explosions, fire, smoke, haze/fog, or pyrotechnics Stunts or any simulated violence weapons or firearms (real or fake) Animals Street or sidewalk closures – this includes any impediment of pedestrian foot traffic (i.e. locking up your shot so that pedestrians can’t cross frame), running cables across a public space such as a sidewalk/park/square, or staging of equipment on a sidewalk or street. Once approved, this request will require cones or barricades from your school or 3rd party vendor. Parking for equipment vehicles – this includes generators Intermittent Traffic Control – this requires police (see below for officer rate sheet) Locking a Location – this protects students from another event/production booking the same space To hire an officer, please specify your police needs on your student permit application. Please check the Savannah PD Film Policy for rates.  Additional fees may apply.
Fee Structure	The City of Savannah charges a one-time non-refundable $25 Application Processing Fee per location. Additionally, there is a $25 Permit Fee per location for your completed permit. Non-consecutive dates for the same location will be charged an additional $25 permit fee. For example: If your project wants to film in Location 1: Forsyth Park, and Location 2: Chippewa Square, you will submit two $25 Application Processing Fees, and then once approved, be billed for two $25.00 Permit Fees, totaling $100.00. If your project wants to return to Location 1:Forsyth Park for additional filming, you will be billed for an additional $25.00 Permit Fee. All fees are non-refundable except in extraordinary circumstances.  Fees are due prior to the issuance of permits. Payment can be made with check or money order made payable to the City of Savannah.  “Film Permit Fee” should be identified on the “notes” line of the check or money order.
Insurance and Notification	Your permit requires you to provide notification to the residents and businesses near the location. This must be completed at least 2 business days before the scheduled shoot day(s). All notification letters should be uploaded using THIS FORM.  And hard copies of this letter must be printed and distributed on YELLOW paper. Please click here to see a  City of Savannah Example Notification Letter Failure to notify as described in the permit is a violation.
Contact	Nicole Bush Permit Liaison Special Events, Film & Tourism 912.351.3837 nbush@savannahga.gov 1 Waring Drive **inside of Daffin Park** Savannah, Georgia 31404

 

Chatham County
Permit Procedure	Fill out the Chatham County Student Filming Application at least 5 business days in advance in order to be considered for approval. Submit to Monica Middleton, in person, at the Dept of Building Safety & Regulatory Services at 1117 Eisenhower Drive, Suite D, Savannah, Georgia 31406 or by mail at the following address: Department of Building Safety & Regulatory Services ATTN: Monica Middleton P.O. Box 8161 Savannah, GA 31412-8161 If students wish to use a Chatham County park or facility, please check to see if the property is available for your requested dates via the online Chatham County Facilities webpage.
Fee Structure	Applicants must pay a $25 non-refundable administrative fee with their application. Please make checks payable to Chatham County.
Insurance and Notification	Submit your notification letter here. For an example of a notification letter, please click HERE.   Contact Monica Middleton for Insurance requirements.
Contact	Monica Middleton Occupational Tax Supervisor Dept. of Building Safety & Regulatory Services (912) 201-4322 mpmiddle@chathamcounty.org

 

City of Tybee Island City of Tybee Film Guidelines
Permit Procedure	For students, please fill out submit directly to Robyn Rosner: Non-commercial filming permit  For beach filming please also fill out: Beach permit application
Fee Structure	Contact Robyn Rosner
Insurance and Notification	Submit your notification letter here.  Hard copies of this letter must be printed and distributed on YELLOW paper. For an example of a notification letter, please click HERE.   Contact Robyn Rosner for Insurance requirements.
Contact	Robyn Rosner Facilities Coordinator 912-472-5045 rrosner@cityoftybee.org

 

City of Garden City City of Garden City
Permit Procedure	Student projects are subject to the same rules and permit requirements as professional productions. All filming guidelines can be found on the City’s Planning and Economic Development page: http://www.gardencity-ga.gov/film Fill out the Professional & Student Permit Application at least 5 business days prior to the first requested filming date. If you wish to use Garden City Parks and Rec Locations, please click here to find more information.
Fee Structure	Garden City may charge for certain services such as police, ITC, parking, etc. Please contact the City for direct answers.
Insurance and Notification	Submit your notification letter here.  For an example of a notification letter, please click HERE.  Some schools provide insurance coverage, and some do not. If your school does not, you may be required to procure coverage.
Contact	Jackie L. Jackson Office of the City Manager Garden City Special Projects P (912) 963-2768 F (912) 966-7792 JJackson@gardencity-ga.gov 100 Central Avenue, Garden City, GA 31405

 

City of Port Wentworth City of Port Wentworth Film Guidelines
Permit Procedure	Fill out the City of Port Wentworth Film Permit Application no less than 5 days in advance of the desired production, and submit to Shanta Scarboro via email sscarboro@cityofportwentworth.com or at the City of Port Wentworth’s City Hall at 305 S Coastal Hwy, Port Wentworth, GA 31407. Student productions MUST have a hard copy version of their signed permit at all times while on location.
Fee Structure	If students wish to use a City of Port Wentworth park or facility, please contact Shanta Scarboro for availability and rates. A fee may also be charged for certain services such as police, Internal Traffic Control (ITC), parking, etc.
Insurance and Notification	Submit your notification letter here.  For an example of a notification letter, please click HERE.  Some schools provide insurance coverage, and some do not. If your school does not, you may be required to procure coverage.
Contact	Shanta Scarboro Permitting Office 912-964-4379 sscarboro@cityofportwentworth.com

 

City of Bloomingdale
Permit Procedure	Each City of Bloomingdale-owned location should be permitted by the City Administrator via the City of Bloomingdale Film Permit Application. The City of Bloomingdale requires all productions to submit a permit application at least 10 days before filming.
Fee Structure	Contact Charles D. Akridge
Insurance and Notification	Submit your notification letter here. For an example of a notification letter, please click HERE.  Contact Charles D. Akridge for Insurance requirements.
Contact	Charles D. Akridge City Administrator 912-748-0970 cakridge@bloomingdale-ga.gov

 

Town of Thunderbolt
Permit Procedure	To film in the Town of Thunderbolt, you will need to submit a Thunderbolt Film Production Application
Fee Structure	Please contact Frank Neal
Insurance and Notification	Submit your notification letter here. For an example of a notification letter, please click HERE.  Contact Frank Neal for Insurance requirements.
Contact	Frank Neal Town Administrator Main Office: (912) 629-4650 2821 River Drive – Thunderbolt, GA 31404

 

City of Pooler
Permit Procedure	Permit Coming soon!  Please contact City Clerk Maribeth Lindler for more details
Fee Structure	Contact Maribeth Lindler
Insurance and Notification	Contact Maribeth Lindler
Contact	Maribeth Lindler City Clerk 912-748-7261 mlindler@pooler-ga.gov 307 US Highway 80 SE – Pooler, GA 31322