It’s hard to say what NYC Mayor Bloomberg has jammed up his you-know-what, but my guess is that the proposed new restrictions for small film crews and photographers in Manhattan may appease his friendly allies in Big Media who will be covering his not-yet-ready-for-primitime presidential bid. Here is a brief preview of the rules:
The Mayor’s Office of Theater, Film, and Broadcasting, which coordinates film and television production and issues permits around the five boroughs, is considering rules that could potentially severely restrict the ability of even amateur photographers and filmmakers to operate in New York City. The NY Times reports that the city’s tentative rules include requiring any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour (including setup and breakdown time) to get a city permit and $1 million in liability insurance. The regulation would also apply to any group of five or more people who would be using a tripod for more than ten minutes, including setup and breakdown time.
Clearly the new regulations violate the spirit of independent filmmaking that made NYC great. It’s yet another example of how Manhattan is becoming a simulacrum of itself. But it doesn’t have to.
Please sign the petition here.
More info about the issue here.
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