• You are producing a feature/independent film, commercial or series, or any other film/video/digital related project that affects city/county/state property, equipment or facilities, including any public property (i.e., sidewalks, highways, etc.).
• Your production is taking place on private property and involves production vechicles/crew vehicles parking on the street or right-of way; involves the use of a tent or other temporary structure; involves the use of pyrotechnics, explosives or other incendiary devices; involves the display of any firearms or use of gunfire; or involves stunts of any kind. Check with the Film Commission for verification.

• You are producing a news segment or news feature. Still photography shoots also may not require a permit. Check with the Film Commission for verification.
• Your production is taking place at a production studio.
• You are using a handheld camera and no other production equipment.

• Filming location(s).
• Dates, times, and rain dates if needed.
• City/county services requested.
• A production activity report for each location listed stating: number of personnel (crew and talent), a vehicle list with parking requirements, and a general summary or explanation of the activity taking place.
• A map of the location and any pertinent information affecting location logistics including: road closures, intermittent traffic control, production vehicle parking, position of equipment (i.e. dolly track, cranes, generators). Having this in writing ensures clear communication between all parties involved.
• If the location is in a neighborhood or near merchants, a letter to all those affected needs to be distributed at least three days before filming. Attach this letter when submitting the permit. Secure permission from merchants if your location could potentially impact their business. At times, signatures are required in particular areas to verify that those merchants have granted permission.
• Notify surrounding neighborhoods if special effects, street closures, night productions or multiple-day shoots will take place at a single location.
• Have the person who is responsible for the production sign the permit. Note: The permit must be notarized before it can be processed.
• Attach a certificate of insurance to the permit. Note: The insurance must additionally insure the appropriate city, county or the state of Florida. General liability is $1 million. In the case of a pyrotechnic effect or stunt, the liability must increase to $5 million. For city, county or state addresses, contact the Metro Orlando Film & Entertainment Commission. The certificate of insurance must be provided in order for the permit to be processed.

Large-scale or complex production projects may require coordination of several city, county or state departments. To expedite the permitting process, you must notify the Metro Orlando Film & Entertainment Commission of your plans early in the pre-production process. A minimum five-day notice is required by most jurisdictions. A meeting involving your Location Manager and representatives of various city, county or state departments may be needed before a motion photography permit is issued.

In most cases, there are no processing charges to pull permits in Metro Orlando unless city, county or state services are required. These services include use of off-duty officers or fire employees and equipment, metered parking and some public parks. The city, county or state reserves the right to collect those fees before production begins. There are a few jurisdictions in the Metro Orlando region that have fees associated with shooting in their community. They are as follows:

• Altamonte Springs – $50 per permit processed
• Celebration – (a privately-owned community) $500 per day to film
• Maitland – $100 per permit processed and $75 per day to film
• Oakland – $500 per day to film
• Seminole County – $75 per permit processed
• St. Cloud – $25 per permit processed
• Windermere – $100 per permit processed
• Winter Park – $100 per permit processed and $500 per day to film

If you are filming a scene on a city, county or state road -- or if you need to place cameras, equipment or crew on a road -- it is always preferable to avoid rush hours (7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., weekdays) and allow for at least one lane of traffic (in both directions) to be open at all times. Intermittent traffic control can be arranged. All types of traffic restrictions require enough officer assistance to control and redirect traffic adequately. This will be determined by the appropriate law enforcement agency and traffic engineering. As a general rule, traffic engineering departments favor the closure of major roads during off-peak hours (7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday to Thursday). Roads that incur light traffic are easier to close during daytime hours and for longer periods of time.

Road closures require a minimum five-day notice.

The Metro Orlando Film and Entertainment Commission will do all in its power to streamline your production, but regulations do exist. Special Effects Coordinators who plan to use explosives or fireworks - such as squibs, black powder charges and air mortars - must satisfy several requirements:

• The permit requires a detailed explanation of the explosion and what substances are needed for the effect.
• Special-effects explosions, whether audible or visible, large or small, must be carried out by a certified special effects technician. A certificate must be attached to the permit.
• A certificate of insurance naming the city or county additionally insured for $5 million must accompany the permit.