A small crew filming handheld on a London street needs no licence, as long as it doesn’t block the pavement or road. Tripods in Westminster and the City of London, red route roads, the Royal Parks, churches and private property all need permission first. Who you ask depends on who manages the land, so check each location on your list well before the shoot.
The guidance below comes from Film London, The Royal Parks and the Church of England’s Diocese of Oxford.
Public streets and pavements
Film London counts a crew of five or fewer people, including participants and actors, as a small crew (Film London). If you use a handheld camera and don’t cause an obstruction, there is no restriction on filming on London’s public highway.
Even so, tell the borough’s film service before you film. If the local authority doesn’t know you’re there, you can be asked to stop. A music video with a performer, a camera operator and a couple of extras still counts as a small crew, as long as the total is five or fewer.
Tripods in Westminster and the City of London
Any crew using a tripod in Westminster or the City of London must get a Notice of No Objection from the borough. Small crews need to apply at least three days before filming.
Boroughs handle these notices in their own way. Some issue them free of charge and others charge between £25 and £100.
Red route roads
Roads with a single or double red line, known as red routes, are managed by Transport for London (TfL). TfL issues either a notice of no objection or a permit. A small crew of five or fewer using a handheld camera needs to apply at least three days before filming starts, and Film London says you are unlikely to be charged a fee.
The Royal Parks
All commercial filming and photography in The Royal Parks goes through their filming team (The Royal Parks). That covers Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, St James’s Park, The Green Park, The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, Victoria Tower Gardens and Brompton Cemetery.
Allow time for the application:
- at least 5 working days for 10 or fewer cast and crew
- at least 10 working days for more than 10 people
- at least 10 working days for any request at The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill
These times start once all the documents are in. You will need public liability insurance of at least £5 million, a site-specific risk assessment and a site plan, along with a description of the content and how you plan to film it.
Fees depend on the nature and purpose of the shoot, the cast and crew size and the time on site. Payment is due in full 24 hours before the shoot date. Drones have a separate policy, covered in drone shots in a UK music video.
Churches
If you want to film in a church, ask before you plan the shoot around it. The Diocese of Oxford’s guidance on filming in churches says permission will normally need agreement from the incumbent and the parochial church council (PCC).
The same guidance says:
- larger productions should use a formal location agreement
- a faculty or other permission from the Diocesan Registry may be needed, especially if equipment, staging or alterations are involved
- parishes may charge location fees to cover heating, lighting, staff time, wear and tear or cleaning, and loss of normal use of the building
- before agreeing, the parish should consider insurance and liability cover, and supervision of the crew while on site
Other dioceses and denominations may work differently, so start with the minister or the church office. Expect the church to fit your shoot around services.
Private homes, shops and venues
For a house, a shop, a studio, a car park or a hall, get written permission from the owner or manager. Agree the times, the areas you can use, the number of people and any fee in writing before the day.
What Aligned Vision handles
Aligned Vision handles location scouting and permitting. Any third-party location fees are quoted separately and need your approval before booking. The £750 Signature package includes a multi-location shoot covering two locations (music videos).
If you have a location in mind, say so on the discovery call. If you don’t, the team scouts locations to suit the treatment. How to write a music video treatment shows how to note locations in your plan.
A quick location checklist
Before you commit to a location, check:
- Who owns or manages it: the borough, TfL, The Royal Parks, a church or a private owner?
- Will you use a tripod, lights or a drone?
- How many people will be on set, including cast and extras?
- How much notice does the owner need?
- Is there a fee, and when is it due?
- What insurance and paperwork does the owner want?
- Are there times you can’t film, such as church services?
Location fees can change your budget. How much does a music video cost in the UK? explains which costs sit inside the package and which sit outside it. You can also read more in the help centre.
To start planning your shoot, get in touch.
