L10: British Film Production Regulations: An Overview:

- To learn and understand what regulations and legislations film productions must
adhere to in the UK.

Introduction to UK Film Regulations:

British Film Production Regulations apply to all forms of production:

- Feature films
- Television
- Commercials
- Drama documentaries
- Music videos
- Idents
- Stills shoots
- Student and short film crews

Essentially any production shot on location in public places in England which are likely to, or
have the potential to, cause disruption normal activity.

- The aims of the regulations are to ensure that:

- The industry can film effectively, efficiently and flexibly.
- All involved in location filming act responsibly, professionally and considerately at all
times.
- The practical impact of filming on people and businesses is minimised.

Crew/Health and safety:

Employment:

- The producer must implement all current UK legislation that informs and guides the
employment of all workers.
- The producer must also observe legal responsibilities and obligations with regard to
the National Minimum Wage and the Working Time Regulations.
- Producers must obtain sufficient proof of “Right to Work” for all cast and crew and
keep copies of the documents in order to comply with UK immigration legislation.
- “Proof” is but not limited to: a valid passport, national; identity card, residence
permit and, where required, a certificate of sponsorship.

Health and Safety:

- The producer is bound by law to take reasonable care and measures to ensure that a
healthy and safe working environment is created and maintained for all.
- All relevant Health and Safety legislation must be abided by. This means you must
and should be aware of Health and Safety legislation.
 - Failure to follow appropriate Health and Safety procedures may invalidate any
insurance and may leave you open to legal liabilities.

Risk Assessments:

- Risk Assessments are required by both the self-employed and any organisation with
employees, so that they can meet their statutory duties to employees and those
affected by their actions, as well as satisfying their insurance obligations.
- Specific Risk Assessments, beyond those generic assessments generally applying to
film production on location, are also required depending on the type and nature of
filming, and also as to the place/s where filming is to take place.

Filming in Public Spaces:

Local Authority:

- If you intend to film on public land, you should check if you require permission from
the appropriate local authority or council.
- They are responsible for public land, public buildings, roads and parking.
- The UK screen agencies can help you get in touch with the appropriate local
authority contact.

Police and Emergency Services:

- You will need the full cooperation of the local police force if you plan to film on a
public highway or use special effects, explosives or firearms (including replicas).
- You will also need permission to portray uniformed police officers or marked police
vehicles on film.
- You should inform the police service and/or appropriate emergency service when
filming involves celebrities who may cause security or crowd control issues.

Public Roads:

- Before filming on a public road, you must contact the local police and the highways
department of the local authority.
- Both will need to make sure that your plans are safe and pose no threat to road
users.
- If you plan to stage stunts, a stunt coordinator should be involved in any planning
discussions.
- You will need details of the safety conditions covering any tracking vehicles you hire
and also find out what permissions and rights clearances have been granted at the
location.
Permission and Rights Clearances:

- If you film inside a store or restaurant, you need written permission to use the
location and also to show the chain’s name or trademark.
- If you film outside a store or restaurant, you do not need permission to show its
name or trademark – however, if the location chosen is used to communicate a
negative message in your film.
- You do not need to ask passers-by for permission to feature their faces in a film.

Aerial Filming:

- Productions using manned or unmanned aircraft for filming purposes should ensure
that they are familiar with aircraft legislation and procedures that relate to aerial
filming in England.
- The Civil Aviation Authority governs fight activities in the UK, including drones/un-
manned aerial vehicles.

Working with children:

- All children under “school leaving age” are required to be licensed by the child’s local
education authority.
- This licence dictates the hours they are permitted to work, any special steps that
need to be taken to protect the child, and other requirements.
- A chaperone must be present at all times to ensure the welfare and safety of the
child.
- The local education authority for where the production is being shot should also be
informed.

Working with animals:

- When filming with animals, you must source animals that meet the production’s
requirements, and these must be from a known industry supplier/owner.
- You must also use the RSPCA guidelines for the Use or Animals in the audio-visual
industry.

Unions:

- The UK unions provide and support on pay rates and working practices.
- Production Guild is the UK union for industry producers and production
management professionals.
- Equity is the UK trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners.
- BECTU is the UK’s media, independent production, leisure, theatre and the arts.
- The writer’s guild of great Britain is a trade union representing professional writer in
TV, film, theatre, radio, books, poetry, animation and video games.