Shooting on/near Streets and Roadways

• Shooting on any public street, thoroughfare, road, highway or freeway, or near enough to any such roadway so as to present a “distraction and/or disturbance” is prohibited by local, State and/or Federal law without the proper permits and safety procedures.
• Filmmakers are never empowered to control or direct traffic in any way.
• The law prohibits controlling or limiting the natural flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a public thoroughfare by anyone other than authorized personnel. The practice of having a Production Assistant or an AD control traffic for a shot is unsafe and illegal. Budget for adequate police assistance if necessary.

The article below illustrates the hazards of ignoring this policy.

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FILM STUDENT CRITICAL AFTER TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

By Margo McCall Staff Writer
Antelope Valley Press 

LITTLEROCK – A Los Angeles film student was struck by a dump truck Monday afternoon after venturing onto Palmdale Boulevard to stop traffic to allow filming.

Jonathan Rosen, 27, was reported in critical condition at Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center with a broken leg, pelvis and foot and internal injuries, a hospital spokeswoman said Monday night.

California Highway Patrol officer Charles Gilliard said the group from Los Angeles based American Film Institute did not have a permit to film.