>>2573804If you're referring to the cops busting you, it happens in Los Angeles all the time.
http://enews.filmla.com/?p=1132Sometimes the cops'll be cool if you're a student, or if you're really lucky they'll just shut you down instead of fine you/impound your gear (it's a pretty damn hefty fine).
The second someone sees a camcorder/mattebox/tripod/mic/crew in LA they get suspicious & call the cops. You don't need a permit to shoot still images (it's only for motion pictures) - So a DSLR has that as an advantage (you can just hit the shutter and they'll shrug it off).
Major Reasons Why they make a big deal out of it here:
A) People don't want their neighborhoods being taken over by Film Productions (especially not the little guys who aren't tossing them cash for the use of their street [and yes, this did use to happen]).
B) Idiots like (
http://laist.com/2013/08/02/police_nearly_fire_at_film_crew_sho.php) ruin it.
C) It's big business - off duty cops get upwards of $75 an hour for a minimum of 4 hours if they oversee a shoot (which is required if blocking off any traffic [even temporarily] or using a prop-weapon in public), let alone FSA's and FSO's which cost $65/hour & $134/hour respectively (Fire Safety Advisor, Fire Safety Officer). You're also required to have Liability insurance.
D) Film Crews can be disruptive to Businesses & Homes [hearing actors yelling at 2am would piss you off too]
E) Lighting Equipment is a fire hazard [LED's are going to change that greatly, but until then this stays]
F) Safety of Cast/Crew [See:Sarah Jones]
G) Maintaining local Laws/Statutes
Student films get a break as they get permits for up to 10 locations for $25 if they have insurance, and most decent Film Schools (& all studios) have special certification as Film Production Zones. Otherwise, it's $264 (depending on location/activity) + Insurance, + any additional costs.
Just throwing that out there.
