Filming Involving Parking of Filming Vehicles on Public Roads (other than designated parking spaces)
The Mechanism:
Control Subject Matter:
When filming involves the use of any picture vehicle or vehicle carrying bulky essential filming equipment* like electricity generator, camera crane, water sprinkler system, etc., and that the vehicle is required to park near the filming location to smoothen the logistics arrangements for the filming, a production company should apply to the Film Services Office for the parking of the filming vehicle(s). The application will be circulated to the Hong Kong Police Force and Transport Department, and other relevant Government departments where appropriate for comment. The FSO will inform the applicant if there is any objection to the application.
* Other filming vehicles will be considered only with justifications.
Conditions to observe:
The film crew is required to comply with the “Conditions for Parking of Filming Vehicles on Public Roads” as attached to this guideline and any condition to be imposed for the filming by relevant Government departments. The Film Services Office will issue a letter to inform the applicant of the conditions to be complied with by the film crew.
How to Apply:
Complete an application form and submit it to the Film Services Office at least 5 working days in advance of the filming with the following information:
the exact parking area (shown hatched black on a sketch map);
number, type and dimension of the vehicle;
number and direction of traffic lanes on the affected road; and
distance of the vehicle from spots such as bus/tram stops, mini-bus/taxi stands, traffic lights, the entrance to or exit from car parks, emergency exits, etc.
Note:
In general, parking of the filming vehicle is not allowed if it would cause danger to other road users, traffic jam, inconvenience to others, obstruction to emergency exits, etc. Except with an approval by relevant departments, filming vehicle is not allowed to be parked on pedestrian walkway.
A permit should be obtained from the Transport Department before stopping a vehicle in the ‘No Stopping Zone’ for loading and unloading filming equipment only.
Application Fees: Nil
Conditions
A person-in-charge should be appointed on site to be responsible for controlling the film crew and people involved in the filming so as to ensure the compliance of conditions imposed and to serve as a co-ordinator.
Adequate crowd control staff wearing fluorescent vests for easy identification should be appointed.
The film crew on site should follow the filming plan as set out in the application, or as revised as a result of the requirements or conditions imposed by the relevant departments, and the instructions given by any Police officer on site. At all times, adequate number of lane(s) should be maintained for through traffic.
The film crew together with the equipment should not cause undue obstructions or inconvenience to other road users.
Proper lighting, signing and guarding in accordance with the “Code of Practice for the Lighting, Signing and Guarding of Road Works” issued by the Highways Department and adequate notice boards or warning signs (in both Chinese and English) should be erected at appropriate locations to alert road-users or pedestrians of filming taking place and to seek their co-operation. The size of the notice boards should be large enough for the message to be clearly seen by drivers from a reasonable distance.
The applicant should send letters to the “neighbours” of the filming location in advance to alert them of the arrangements and to seek their co-operation.
Adequate safety measures should be provided to cover the film crew and other road users.
The applicant should ensure that all vehicles used in connection with the filming and personnel involved comply with the road traffic legislation.
The person-in-charge on site shall report to the Regional Traffic Console of the Hong Kong Police Force by telephone upon arrival and departure of the film crew.
The film crew should comply with the directives of the Police officer on site, including the stopping of the filming or changing the filming plan or the special traffic arrangements if such changes are deemed necessary in the public interest.
The applicant should ensure that the notice boards etc. referred to in (5) above, all props, debris at or stains caused on the filming location are promptly cleared after filming; and to report immediately to the Police and Highways Department any damage to roads (including street furniture) or Government properties or any untoward incidents.
The applicant shall reimburse Highways Department any cost including overheads arising from any works necessary to rectify any damage caused to road pavement and street furniture attributable to the location shooting.
The applicant shall indemnify the Government from all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, costs, demands and expenses which may be taken or made against the Government as a result of the filming activities.
The applicant should notify the FSO and Police as early as possible and provide an explanation for cancellation of the location filming and apply to the FSO in case subsequent changes of timing of the location filming are required.
The applicant should ensure that effective insurance policy is taken out to cover any accidents involving damages, injuries to or death of other road users.
The applicant shall not carry out any removal of street furniture unless prior approval from the Transport Department is obtained. Relevant application should be sent to the FSO for processing. The applicant shall bear the cost including overheads in association with any temporary removal and the subsequent reinstatement work including traffic management measures to be carried out by the Highways Department.
The applicant shall not carry out any excavation to the road pavement unless an excavation permit has been obtained from Highways Department for such purpose.
In case of emergency road works, the applicant should remove the parked filming vehicles immediately at his own cost.