© Helen Levitt
What in the hell are they thinking? From the New York Times:Some tourists, amateur photographers, even would-be filmmakers hoping to make it big on YouTube could soon be forced to obtain a city permit and $1 million in liability insurance before taking pictures or filming on city property, including sidewalks.New York City cops being selective and discriminatory? That would never happen. I suggest sending a strongly worded message to Katherine Oliver, the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting, telling her you think this is an asinine idea.
New rules being considered by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting would require any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour to get a city permit and insurance.
The same requirements would apply to any group of five or more people who plan to use a tripod in a public location for more than 10 minutes, including the time it takes to set up the equipment.
Julianne Cho, assistant commissioner of the film office, said the rules were not intended to apply to families on vacation or amateur filmmakers or photographers.
Nevertheless, the New York Civil Liberties Union says the proposed rules, as strictly interpreted, could have that effect. The group also warns that the rules set the stage for selective and perhaps discriminatory enforcement by police.
4 Comments:
Asinine is right! Soon we will need a permit just to own a camera. First it was the subways and now its public streets. What exactly is the standard they are trying to set for "professional" filmakers and photograpgers? Everything about the rules seems vague and arbitrary.
PS. I love your IFOCE/Kobayashi post. I hope Kobayashi is ok. I suppose we will have to wait and see. This is the most exciting thing too happen since the Glutton Bowl.
I read it this morning on the train, camera in hand. I'm shocked. Appalled. Do they really need to control such things more then already do?
I do not see how this is appropriate. Are they really going to fine me for having my camera while standing next to a friend and we happen to be in the same spot for a half hour? Could I just walk across the street to a different sidewalk - does my 30 minute restriction start over? Fuck that - it's too vague.
I mean, my subway ride is 30min. I take pictures on the train, I'm with a group of people. If a cop is in a bad mood can he suddenly decide to take it out on me? Too vague.
The city is clearly putting this story out as a trial balloon. We must pop that sucker fast! Write the Commissioner and tell others to do the same.
Tragic.
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