The Chutry Experiment

Agnes Varnum has a useful overview of the ongoing battle over new rules that would strictly regulate filmmaking activity in New York City. The new regulations proposed by the Mayors Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting (MOFTB) would be restrictive, especially for independent filmmakers, and as Keith Olbermann observed in his “Worst Person in the World” segment last night, would appear to be a violation of the First Amendment (more permanent link later, if I can find one).

The regulations would require crews of five or more people filming in one location for more than ten minutes to get a permit and would require crews of two or more filming for thirty minutes at a single site to get a permit. All permits would require the crew to have $1 million in liability insurance, essentially squeezing out independent filmmakers. The rules would also seem to work against documentary filmmakers who may produce the kinds of observational documentaries that allow action to unfold in sometimes unexpected ways (the implications of these rules were spelled out nicely in an email written by Jem Cohen to members of the New York film community). As Amy Taubin points out, these regulations would have the effect of making “an entire formerly underground, now very much overground, history of the city by everyone from Helen Levitt (her “In the Street” is now a national treasure in the Library of Congress), Robert Frank and Bruce Davidson to Jim Jarmusch and Jonas Mekas simply impossible.”

Because of public outcry, the MOFTB has extended a public comment period until August 3rd, and the New York film community is hoping that the Office will respond to the feedback offered by the filmmaking community. Picture New York has set up a website where you can sign a petition protesting these rules.

Update: The Picture New York website also has a number of videos that dramatize the importance of being able to film in public space.

Update 8/3: Agnes is reporting that the Mayor’s Office has decided to revise the rules based  on the negative public commentary.   Public comment will reopen when the new rules are released.