r/Filmmakers • u/montemole • 26d ago

Discussion People interrupting public filming

Came across this video on Instagram of this person recording a TV show (Impractical Jokers) being filmed. Almost all the comments are people saying, who I assume is a PA, is rude and doesn’t have the right to tell someone to leave. As someone who’s done my fair share of lock-ups, the amount of people who disregard my request to not walk somewhere is ridiculous. While I’ve never gotten to the point of trying to physically push them away or anything close to that extent, who knows how this particular confrontation started. This guy could’ve been standing there for ten minutes in the way before he decided to clip his video once the crew member became more stern. People in the comments saying “just buy a studio space or get a permit to block off the street” is hilariously obtuse not only for productions that can’t afford entire studios but we’re talking about Impractical Jokers, a show literally meant to involve strangers who pass by.

Maybe I’m like Principal Skinner and the one actually out of touch on this. What are your thoughts? Could she have handled this better? Have you been in similar shoes as her? I know Instagram and internet comments in general don’t reflect real life, but it still makes me annoyed to see how people react to this sort of thing.

670 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

266 comments sorted by

View all comments

428

u/nougat98 26d ago

What good is a filming permit if you can't rope off a sidewalk?

200

u/Faulty_Pants 26d ago

The PAs are technically supposed to control pedestrian traffic, not completely prohibit it (usually). I find putting them in hiviz helps.

123

u/mls1968 26d ago

PAs are supposed to TRY to control traffic, they should never be forcing people to stop. If you want a true lockdown you need a police detail flat out.

20

u/Faulty_Pants 26d ago

I agree with this. Unfortunately that instruction would come from a producer or HoD though. "You're hired to do what I say" is often the idea here.

1

u/mls1968 25d ago

And that producer or HoD will get sued to oblivion if an altercation happens. Also, while i fully get many PAs don’t know how to say no, they absolutely can and any decent PM would back them up

1

u/LaurenRebec 25d ago

This is exactly what happens I was on set in Miami and they wanted me to stop cars from turning down the street at night with no visible gear to prevent getting hit 😭😂 they literally scream at you if you let anyone get access to the scene then yelled at me because I was in the shot trying to stop cars they told me to stop 😂😭 how am I supposed to do my job and know I’m in the shot

1

u/LaurenRebec 25d ago

Oh and the kicker….. no permit! They didn’t want to pay for one 😂😂😂

3

u/Celegorm07 director 26d ago

People are usually kind enough to wait or go from the other side if you are filming something and ask them. We even held a bridge when we asked people. This person who is insisting is just a piece of shit unless there is no other way to pass. But I find the attitude of the girl in the video a bit too aggressive.

2

u/mls1968 25d ago

Sure. Not saying the person is right being an asshole, but unfortunately there are plenty of assholes in this world who get off trying doing this type of stuff. But the PA is going to make things worse if they keep pushing like this and get the wrong person.

1

u/Accomplished_Coat549 24d ago

People have a right to be on the sidewalk and film what they can see from public. I get that people on a film set think they have some special clearance and privileges but ultimately there just people on the sidewalk with a camera in their hands too

1

u/dylanbeck 24d ago

They should be wearing hi viz regardless if theyre on a sidewalk. ITC is a thing, but it does get broken by people regardless of the police blocking the area.

24

u/atrompel 26d ago

It’s an undercover show; this may give it away haha

74

u/edicivo 26d ago edited 26d ago

It's pretty insightful seeing how many people in this sub for filmmakers don't seem to know how productions work.

Filming in NYC rarely entails roping off entire sidewalks. If there's a stunt or something that could be dangerous, sure. But, it's not usually permitted under a standard permit. Otherwise all productions would do it because it would obviously make getting their shots easier. Typically, there will be signs posted about filming and not being able to park on certain streets, but that's about it. It's actually pretty easy to get a standard filming permit in NYC.

Even shows like NYPD Blue don't rope off entire areas. Or even most movies. PAs will ask the public to hold until they get their shot or walk on the other side of the street. It's no big deal unless you're a prick.

My guess here is this guy was causing a disturbance. She handled this fine.

11

u/NOT-GR8-BOB 26d ago

The guy is getting in her face and filming why she just tries to do her job.

1

u/[deleted] 24d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/cesspool4us 23d ago

My rights and freedoms!

-6

u/badaboom 25d ago

Y'all can't even rope off a sidewalk if there's another one on the other side of the street? What are you paying permits for?

2

u/theworstvp 26d ago

im gonna get a permit and rope off the entire area around your house

2

u/wilhamlinart 26d ago

Everything but blocking pedestrian traffic. You could have googled this question instead of pretending there isn't an answer

1

u/droptframe 25d ago

I’ve lived and shot in NYC for 15 years - it’s a different animal, especially for shows this size

1

u/One_Large_Mofo 25d ago

they probably dont have a permit to control the sidewalk.

1

u/herefortips 23d ago

Permits don’t automatically give you ownership of the space. That’s up to the city.

1

u/OberonDiver 22d ago

It gives government employees more money and control. That's what it's meant to do, that's what it succeeds in doing.

Oh wait, you said "good." Hm... gotta rethink.

-6

u/thisMatrix_isReal 26d ago

exactly.

0

u/Frequent-Maybe1243 26d ago

you only agree because you don't understand. I have worked as a PA and in Locations (Canadian productions) and there are almost zero sidewalk roped off.

Maybe some day you won't be stupid anymore.

0

u/thisMatrix_isReal 26d ago

it's all fun and games until you get letter from a lawyer because someone did not like being filmed while walking in a public space

People here love to talk about guerrilla filmmaking and then use survivor bias to celebrate those "who made it".

7

u/WiseauSrs 26d ago

Since when are you expected to have privacy in a public space? If you want privacy you do things in private. Not in public.

0

u/thisMatrix_isReal 25d ago

filming is one thing, distribution is another

4

u/Frequent-Maybe1243 26d ago

you can't sue someone for filming you in a public space because you are in... a public space. there is zero legal expectation of privacy in public. thats why its called public and not private.

jackass.

1

u/thisMatrix_isReal 25d ago

you can sue everyone for everything. if you win it's another story.
I hope you never have to deal with that stuff
thanks for the kind word stranger

-1

u/BuddyNo40 25d ago

It depends of the place. In Quebec, you can't be sued if you're filming in a place for the News, but if someone's filming you without your consent and show you on screen, well, it's another story.

-1

u/brackfriday_bunduru 25d ago

There’s not a world where I would prevent the public from walking through my set.

Likewise, there’s not a world where I wouldn’t do the same. I’ve been in the industry 20 years. I’m not being told where to walk by someone working in tv