production guidelines

Production Guidelines

Film Birmingham thanks you in advance for your cooperation and assistance in accordance with these guidelines. Film Birmingham looks forward to working with you to make your production experience a positive one. The adherence to these guidelines will accrue to the benefit of all filmmakers, will protect the quality of life of our citizens, and ensure the success of the film industry in the coming years.

Your signature on your Production Registration Form acknowledges that you have read and agree to comply with the requirements and ordinances set forth in Birmingham’s Production Guide.

Film Birmingham welcomes you to Birmingham! Our historic, vivid and culturally rich neighborhoods provide incredible locations and backdrops for the various productions that choose the City for filming activity. FBHM goes above and beyond to strike a balance between production activity and quality of life for residents. We believe open and advance communication is key to this success.

Employment in motion picture and video production and motion picture theater account for just over 400 jobs. Alabama is interested in attracting more film production to the area and offers statewide film incentives. A large portion of Birmingham film production is for the commercial or public sector markets.

The film and media sector is going through a rapid transformation with social media diffusing the means of production and dissemination. Even with intensifying competition, Birmingham has the talent to stay on top of these changes and to develop niches in which it can excel and become more widely known.

Providing industry specialists with up-to-date, accessible information will lower the barrier to entry for others interested in taking advantage of the film incentives, and those looking to document the rich history and landscape of the Birmingham area through local film production. To build a critical mass in the industry and take advantage of existing local talent, film and media professionals need such a business infrastructure.

Casual, amateur photographers, tourists, credentialed members of the media, or other members of the public who do not use vehicles or equipment or assert exclusive use of City property are not required to submit a Film Registration Form.

We understand that productions may take place within a short planning timeframe and may involve a number of locations that include public and private property. To address the wide range of production activities and locations, the following information has been assembled to assist you in obtaining the proper authorization to film within the Greater Birmingham Region.

A Film Registration Form must be completed under the following circumstances:

A. PRIVATE PROPERTY

  1. If the production will take place exclusively on private property and any of the Required Public Safety Review criteria described in Section 2 exist, you must submit a completed Film Registration Form to Film Birmingham.
  2. If the production will take place exclusively on private property and none of the Required Public Safety Review criteria described in Section 2 exist, you do not need to register your production with the City of Birmingham.

B. CITY PARK, RECREATION CENTER, OR PARK FACILITY

If the production will take place at a City park, recreation center, or park facility you must complete a Film Registration Form and coordinate with the Park and Recreation Department

C. CITY STREETS, PUBLIC-OF-WAYS, AND OTHER CITY PUBLIC FACILITIES

If the production will take place on a public street, public right-of-way, or other City public facility you must complete a Film Registration Form and apply for a right-of-way closure permit with the local municipality.

A production that includes any of the following components or production activities shall be reviewed by the local municipalty Police Department and Fire-Rescue Department:

A. TRAFFIC CONTROL AND EQUIPMENT

The production requires traffic control; lane or street closures; “No Parking” signage, safety equipment, or other equipment such as generators are stored in the public right-of-way.

B. PYROTECHNICS, SPECIAL EFFECTS, OR OPEN FLAME

The production includes elements that require a Pyrotechnic; Special Effect; Open Flame; or other permit type required by the Birmingham Fire Code.

C. GUNFIRE AND WEAPONS

The production includes gunfire, or other special weapon props, such as but not limited to knives, swords, tasers, and explosive devices.

D. CRIME SCENE IN PUBLIC VIEW

The production includes any actions in public view that would cause a reasonable citizen to call 9-1-1 or think that a crime is being committed. Examples include but are not limited to scenes that portray a robbery, chase, abduction, etc.

E. OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY RISKS

The production includes any additional components or production activities that may pose a public safety risk.

There are thousands of events, construction projects and other activities that take place throughout the Greater Birmingham Region each year. Therefore, Film Birmingham encourages you to submit a Project Registration form as far in advance of the production date(s) as possible in order to reserve your preferred filming location and to facilitate the positive resolution of any operational or community issues.

A. PRODUCTION DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY COMPONENTS THAT REQUIRE PUBLIC SAFETY REVIEW

Productions that do not include any of the components or production activities that require public safety review as described in Section 2 shall submit a completed Film Registration Form no later than three (3) business days prior to the first proposed date of filming.

B. PRODUCTION DOES INCLUDE COMPONENTS THAT REQUIRE PUBLIC SAFETY REVIEW

Productions that do include any of the components or production activities that require public safety review as described in Section 2 shall submit a completed Film Registration Form no later than five (5) business days prior to the first proposed date of filming.

  1. Film Birmingham requires a certificate of insurance and endorsement naming the local municipalities, its officers, employees, and agents as additionally insured for any production that takes place on City public property or private property that requires a Film Registration Form. Minimum coverage is $1 million per occurrence; $2 million aggregate.
  2. Film Birmingham reserves the right to require additional insurance levels based on specific activities or equipment included in the production.

Film Birmingham seeks to accommodate production requests on public property while balancing the needs of the residential and business communities along with access to public spaces and the preservation of public safety. Therefore, the following Good Neighbor Requirements have been established for productions that request exclusive use of public property.

A. PRODUCTIONS THAT IMPACT A LOCATION FOR LESS THAN FOUR HOURS

  1. Film Birmingham requires notification to all residents, businesses, or other facilities within 300 feet of the proposed production.
  2. The Good Neighbor Notification Form shall be used when it is anticipated that a production will impact a particular location for less than four hours.
  3. The Form may be distributed in person, left as a “door hanger” at each address, and/or sent via email to each impacted entity.
  4. Should a building with multiple units be managed by a building owner/manager, copies of the form sufficient for each address must be provided to the building owner/manager if access to distribute the form is not granted to the production company. The building owner/manager, however, must notify all tenants and know of no substantial objection to the proposed impact and associated activities.
  5. The production company shall include executed copies of the completed forms with the Film Registration Form and shall provide a complete list of all notified entities.
  6. The production company shall be responsible for resolving all community and operational issues associated with the production and the location prior to the beginning of filming.
  7. Being good neighbors to our local businesses is very important to Film Birmingham. Access to businesses must remain open at all times. If access to a business will hinder filming, the impacted business has the right to request compensation from the production to compensate for income lost. An agreement between the business and the production must be reached prior to a location permit being issued. Film Birmingham will aid both entities in any way reasonably possible.

B. PRODUCTIONS THAT IMPACT A LOCATION FOUR HOURS OR MORE

  1. Film Birmingham requires 80 percent of the residents, businesses, or other facilities within 300 feet of the proposed production to demonstrate support for a production that is anticipated to impact a location for four hours or more.
  2. The Good Neighbor Survey shall be used when it is anticipated that a production will impact a particular location for four or more hours.
  3. The Survey shall be distributed in person and must be signed by the affected business/facility owner or manager; or resident of the house, apartment, or condominium complex who is 18 years or older.
  4. Should a building with multiple units be managed by a building owner/manager, they may sign on behalf of tenants if access is denied and copies of the form sufficient for each address are provided by the production company. The building owner/manager, however, must notify all tenants and know of no substantial objection of the proposed impact and associated activities at the time of signature.
  5. The production company shall include an executed copy of the completed survey with the Film Registration Form.
  6. The production company shall be responsible for resolving all community and operational issues associated with the production and the location prior to the beginning of filming.
  7. Being good neighbors to our local businesses is very important to Film Birmingham. Access to businesses must remain open at all times. If access to a business will hinder filming, the impacted business has the right to request compensation from the production to compensate for income lost. An agreement between the business and the production must be reached prior to a location permit being issued. Film Birmingham will aid both entities in any way reasonably possible.

A Film Registration Form must be completed for any production proposed to take place on public or private property in the Greater Birmingham Region that meets the criteria detailed in Sections 1 and 2 of the Filming Production Guide. Film Birmingham seeks to accommodate production requests while balancing the needs of the residential and business communities along with access to public spaces and the preservation of public safety. Therefore, please be aware that the City of Birmingham may require modifications to the request.

In addition to the basic information requested in the Film Registration Form, please send detailed production timelines and scripts, as applicable to assist us in better understanding the scope of the proposal. The following information relates to the completion of a Film Registration Form:

A. PRIMARY CONTACT

  1. The Production Company listed on the Film Registration Form is the legal and responsible party. The Production Company can be a corporate entity, non-profit organization, or individual.
  2. An individual must be identified on the Film Registration Form who will serve as the Primary Contact for all communication, requirements, and authorizations from the City of Birmingham. The Primary Contact must have the authority to make financial and operational decisions on behalf of the Production Company.
  3. By submitting the Film Registration Form, the Production Company authorizes the Primary Contact to make operational and financial decisions on behalf of the Production Company.

B. FORM COMPLETENESS

  1. All submissions must be legible and include all information requested. Incomplete or illegible forms shall not be processed.
  2. If the production will use public property other than streets or right-of-way, authorization from the managing city department shall be included before processing of the request can begin.
  3. If the production proposes to use a generator or other electrical distribution with a 50 kilovolt-amperes or larger rating, an Electrical Permit issued by the local Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits is required.
  4. “No Parking” signposting requests shall include all of the following information:
    • Side of the Street (N/S for “North Side” and B/S for “Both Sides”, etc.)
    • Street Name & Type (Ave., St., Dr., Blvd., etc.)
    • Dates and Hours Requested
  5. If an application section does not apply to the production, please indicate by entering N/A (not applicable) in the space.

C. FEES

  1. There is no fee associated with the submission or processing of a Film Registration Form.
  2. The production company shall be billed for the cost of all public safety services including, but not limited to, traffic control, police presence, vehicles, fire prevention services, etc.
  3. Fees associated with the issuance of regulatory permits such as building, electrical, pyrotechnic/special effects; or use permits such as park or facility, etc. shall be assessed at the time of issuance.

E. MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS ON SITE

  1. The Primary Contact shall be required to maintain on-site at all times copies of all Film Registration Forms and associated authorizations, permits, certificates of insurance, neighborhood notifications, and other records associated with the production.
In order to expedite the authorization process for productions, Film Birmingham has developed two review processes to best address the particular activities and location of the production.
 

A. CITY PARK, RECREATION CENTER, OR PARK FACILITY

  1. A completed Film Registration Form shall be submitted to the Park and Recreation Department.
  2. Upon receipt of the Film Registration Form and supporting material, the documents shall be reviewed to ensure all information is complete. Incomplete or illegible Film Registration Forms shall not be processed.
  3. The Park and Recreation Department shall review the request to determine that the space is available and all operational and/or community issues have been addressed.
  4. Should modifications to the request be required, the Primary Contact shall be notified by the Park and Recreation Department.
  5. If no activities that require public safety review as described in Section 2 exist and all operational and community issues, including any required modifications, have been addressed, a Park User Permit shall be issued.
  6. If any activities that require public safety review as described in Section 2 exist, following issuance of the Park Use Permit, the Film Registration Form and supporting material shall be forwarded to Film Birmingham by the Park and Recreation Department. The request shall then be reviewed following the process described in Section 7 B.

B. CITY STREETS, PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAYS, AND OTHER CITY PUBLIC FACILITIES; PRIVATE PROPERTY AND PARK PROPERTY WHEN ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE PUBLIC SAFETY REVIEW EXIST

  1. A completed Film Registration Form shall be submitted to Film Birmingham.
  2. Upon receipt of the Film Registration Form and supporting material, the documents shall be reviewed to ensure all information is complete. Incomplete or illegible Film Registration Forms shall not be processed.
  3. Film Birmingham shall distribute the information to the Birmingham Police Department and Fire Department-Rescue Department. On a case-by-case basis, information shall be provided to any other municipality department with regulatory or operational responsibility for a particular component of the proposed production.
  4. Should modifications to the request be required by a department, the Primary Contact shall be notified by that department.
  5. Should the production require “No Parking” signage, lane or street closures; and/or activities that require police, traffic control, or fire prevention personnel to be present during the filming, an equipment list and/or cost estimate for such services shall be provided to the Primary Contact. The Primary Contact must also complete the Good Neighbor Outreach process.
  6. The departments shall review the request to determine that all public safety, operational, and/or community issues have been addressed.
  7. Should all public safety, operational, and community issues, including any required modifications, be addressed, Film Birmingham shall provide the Primary Contact authorization to film.

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

  1. Production Companies and their agents must comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances, including but not limited to Storm Water Pollution Prevention and Recycling requirements.
  2. Productions Companies and their agents must also obtain and keep in effect all permits and licenses required to conduct the requested activities.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS

Please review the following information regarding parking restrictions for the City of Birmingham. These restrictions are to be followed and will be enforced in ALL circumstances regardless of any general parking permits that may be issued to a production. Many of these restrictions are in place to ensure emergency vehicle access and safe driving conditions. PLEASE help ensure filmmaking in Birmingham is a positive experience for all.

PLACES WHERE STOPPING OR PARKING IS PROHIBITED (NO SIGNS WILL BE POSTED). There is “NO PARKING” allowed in the following area.: ( Please Note: the granting of special requests, obligate the producer to put in place an approved and appropriate alternative safety measure)

  1. Within FIFTEEN FEET of a FIRE HYDRANT
  2. Within TWENTY FEET of an INTERSECTION
  3. Within TWENTY FEET upon the approach to any STOP SIGN, flashing beacon, yield sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway
  4. Within TWENTY FEET of the entrance to a fire station
  5. On a sidewalk
  6. Within THREE FEET of a public or private driveway, wheelchair ramp, or bicycle ramp
  7. Within an intersection
  8. On a crosswalk
  9. Within FIFTY FEET of a railroad crossing
  10. Alongside or opposite any street excavation when stopping, standing or parking would block traffic
  11. Alongside or on a neutral ground
  12. Any place where parking will block a traffic control device

** Please note: Distance should be calculated to include any truck gates or trailers. Parking is also prohibited without prior content from the agencies listed below:

  1. Freight Zones (Traffic Engineering)
  2. Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority stops (BJCTA)
  3. Hotel Passenger Zones (Hotel Management)
  4. Traffic Lanes (without street closure permit and appropriate detour plan) (Traffic Engineering)

*No Permits will be given for designated HANDICAPPED PARKING No vehicle may stop or park in a signed parking space for persons with disabilities except a vehicle with a handicapped license plate or disabled veterans license plate.

NOTE: NO PARKING IN ENFORCEMENT ZONES. No vehicle may stop or park in this zone without being identified as belonging in this zone.

If terms of the Authorization to Film are violated, the Film Birmingham may stop and/or cancel filming until the circumstances are rectified. Film Birmingham will provide the Primary Contact with an opportunity to rectify the situation prior to any production stoppage, except in cases where public safety is jeopardized.

A. FILM BIRMINGHAM

310 18th Street North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Telephone: 205-458-1394
Email: jessica@createbirmingham.org

B. BIRMINGHAM PARK AND RECREATION PARK RESERVATIONS

400 Graymont Avenue West
Birmingham, AL 35204
Telephone: 205-254-2391
Email: liandria.hanna@birminghamal.gov

C. BIRMINGHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

Birmingham Police Department Tactical Division
1710 1st Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35205
Telephone: 205-254-6555
Email: lee.taylor@birminghamal.gov

D. BIRMINGHAM FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE DEPARTMENT

1808 7th Avenue North
Birmingham, AL, 35203
Telephone: 205-254-7767
Email: john.whitmer@birminghamal.gov

E. PLANNING ENGINEERING AND PERMITS

Right of Way Permits
710 North 20th Street
Birmingham, AL 35203
Telephone: 205-254-2357
Email: albert.jackson@birminghamal.gov

F. IATSE LABOR UNION LOCAL 78 LOCAL TYPE S

Dennis Parker, Business Agent
Laura Kilgore, Corresponding Secretary
PO Box 10251
Birmingham, AL 35203
Telephone: 205-251-1312
Email: secretaryiatse78@gmail.com