Student Filming  

A film permit is required to legally film anywhere within the County and City of Los Angeles, as well as other city jurisdictions that we serve. This includes all properties both public and private. Student filmmakers at the post-secondary education level filming on-location are not exempt from this requirement. Certified studios, sound stages and back lots are excluded from the permit requirement.  

FilmLA and most of our jurisdictional clients offer waived or reduced permit fees for student filmmakers who meet the following criteria:

• The student must be enrolled in an accredited higher education institution.
• The project must be specifically for course credit.
• The project may not be used commercially and/or the school must retain all rights.

Student Certification Letter & Student ID

To be considered for fee reductions/waivers, student filmmakers must provide a Certification Letter, which must be emailed to permitapps@filmla.com by an authorized school administrator or School Production Office. The letter must be on official school letterhead and must include the students’ name(s), class number or program of study, and a statement certifying that the educational institution will retain the rights to the project or verify that the project will not be used for commercial purposes. The letter must be signed by a school official and dated within 30 days of the proposed filming activity.

Students must also provide a copy of their student ID which they may email to FilmLA with their letter or at the time of permit application submission.

Application Process

Permits cover filmmakers for up to five (5) filming locations over seven (7) consecutive days of filming. 

Students must apply for their permits through the MyFilmLA permit system by the 10:00 am deadline for the jurisdiction for which they are applying. For a list of jurisdictional deadlines please see the Area Requirements section of the FilmLA Knowledge Base.  

FilmLA will not begin processing a student permit application until a copy of the student ID and certification letter from the authorized school representative has been received. Delay in obtaining the certification letter may result in having to change shoot dates.

FilmLA Fees

Students are assessed a non-refundable Student Permit Application Fee at the time of application submittal.  There are two different rates, one for Simple permits, and one for Complex permits.  

Most student projects will be assessed the “Simple” fee for standard filming activities; however, the higher “Complex” fee may be assessed based upon the complexity of the requested filming activities.  

In most cases, the “Complex” fee will be collected for any of the following activities:

• High Impact Activities (drones, special effects, gunfire, explosions/flames)
• Activity Requiring Community Filming Surveys
• Street Closures (full or directional)
• Permits with Multiple Jurisdictions, Approving Organizations, and/or large Posted Parking Requests (case-by-case basis)

By submitting your permit application online, you agree to pay any government assessed fees based on your permit request. Total fees will depend upon your proposed filming locations and proposed filming activities. Once your permit or rider has been processed for release, payment is required of the entire amount due (including all municipal fees & deposits).

If you choose to cancel your permit or rider application after processing has begun, you will be responsible for payment of any fees for services already incurred. These fees usually include, but are not limited to, the non-refundable application fee, posting, (if applicable) and/or notification fees (if applicable). 

Jurisdictional Fees

Most jurisdictions will reduce or waive application and/or use fees for students, however fees for services such as posting and/or fees for city or county personnel are never reduced or waived. Jurisdictional fees may be found in the FilmLA Knowledge Base. 

Insurance

Proof of insurance is required and must meet all requirements for FilmLA and the client jurisdiction in which the filming takes place. Insurance requirements for each jurisdiction served by FilmLA are available in the FilmLA Knowledge Base. 

In most cases, LA area film schools will have a policy on file with FilmLA that meets all insurance requirements. Students are encouraged to contact FilmLA and speak with a FilmLA Insurance Specialist if they have questions about the requirements or would like to check the status of their school’s insurance on file.  

If the student’s school will not be providing the insurance, the student applicant must obtain and submit proof of insurance independently.  

Foreign Students

Non-US colleges and universities may be considered for student permit fee reductions/waivers. FilmLA will research the institution to establish that it is a credible film program from a bona-fide higher education institution.

Non-US college or university students should contact FilmLA’s Solution Services team at least two weeks prior to their shoot to inquire about their proposed filming activities. Production Planning advice from FilmLA is FREE – and will help make the application process as smooth as possible.    

High School Students

In the City of Los Angeles, high school students filming for a class or school related project may be considered for the same student permit fee reductions/waivers as students enrolled in an accredited higher education institution. Having a permit could be an advantage for planned filming in public places. The following criteria will apply:

• The filming must be for a class or school project.
• The School must provide a letter on school or school district letterhead stating that the filming is for a class or school project or assignment.
• The School must be listed as the production company on the permit application.
• The applicant must be a legal adult (either a school official or legal parent or guardian.)
• If the student is 18 years of age at the time of application, they may apply for their own filming permit.
• Proof of insurance is required and must meet all conditional requirements of FilmLA and the client jurisdiction in which the filming takes place. (Jurisdictional insurance requirements can be found here. )
• If the school is not providing the insurance, the applicant is responsible for obtaining insurance in their name and listing the school as co-insured.

High school students filming independently (for anything other than a class or school project) are not eligible for fee reductions or waivers.

Notification

Students are responsible for distributing notices of filming in non-sensitive filming areas using the approved notification form provided by FilmLA. Notification must be distributed to constituents within a 300’ radius of the filming location, and (if applicable) 200’ beyond any requested posted parking. Notification must be completed at least two days prior to the first film date or prep activity.

Note: Students will not be allowed to self-notify when filming takes place in sensitive areas including those covered by Special Conditions. FilmLA will provide notification service in sensitive or special conditions areas at a reduced cost for student filmmakers.  

Personnel Requirements

Permit applications are reviewed by jurisdictional approvers and public safety personnel, or film monitors may be assigned based upon the location and filming activity. Fees for personnel (if required) will not be waived or reduced.

Parking

All municipalities require cast and crew vehicles to be parked on private property. Cast and crew vehicles may not park on public streets.

Posting is a request for temporary “No Parking” signs intended for production vehicles with commercial license plates only. Personal vehicles may not park within posted parking areas. Personal vehicles (including cast and crew vehicles) parked in posted parking areas are subject to citation by Parking Enforcement.

Each municipality has different processes, requirements, fees, and deadlines for posted parking requests. You can find posting requirements for jurisdictions here in the FilmLA Knowledge Base or contact FilmLA’s Solution Services team for Production Planning assistance.  

Filming at Beaches, Parks, and Municipal Facilities

Permission from the appropriate municipal representative is required to film at Parks, Beaches and government Municipal Facilities. Applicants should be sure to reach out to the appropriate representative or follow the process for making a reservation to film at these facilities prior to applying for their film permit. FilmLA’s Production Planning team can provide information on the appropriate steps to take as well as contact information for these properties.

Filming in LA City Parks or at an LA County Beach requires a filming reservation in addition to a permit application. Reservations can be made for these properties here.  

Pre-Permit Application Consultation

Students are encouraged to take advantage of FilmLA’s free Production Planning Service prior to applying for a student film permit. FilmLA’s Solution Services team can answer questions about the permit process, review proposed filming activity, and advise on prospective fees, special conditions, and other logistical requirements.