City Guide Filming in Appleton, WI
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: To be determined by the City Clerk’s Office
- Film Permit Application Fee: To be determined by the City Clerk’s Office
Minimum Insurance
- Liability of between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000
- Name the City of Appleton as additional insured on the certificate of insurance.
- Complete and sign an indemnification agreement.
- Provide a waiver of subrogation endorsement
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Appleton
The city of Appleton lies within three counties in the state of Wisconsin – Outagamie County, Calumet County, and Winnebago County, and doubles as the county seat of Outagamie County. As one of the localities in the Fox Cities metropolitan area– a term used to describe the communities that are located along the Fox River – Appleton is located about 30 miles southwest of Green Bay. The city is popular for its vibrant downtown area and the annual Mile of Music festival. Home to beautiful art scenes, natural wonders, and great people, Appleton has been a choice filming destination since the 1910s.
Appleton’s motto is One Great Place, and this indeed reflects in the quality of work that filmmakers do here. That is why countless feature films, television shows, documentaries, and other forms of commercial productions have been filmed in whole or in part here. Some of the popular projects filmed in Appleton include Super Size Me (2004), Dear Mr. Watterson (2013), Haunted State (2019 TV), Ed Gein: The Musical (2010), Bucky and the Squirrels (2015), Pilot Error (2020), Don't Go to the Reunion (2013), Irrational Fear (2017), and The Real American: Joe McCarthy (2011). Schedule your next production in Appleton and find the best filming locations now on Giggster.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Appleton?
Based on Appleton's filming guidelines, you are not required to obtain a film permit before rolling your camera(s) if you will be here to film for personal reasons, if you do not have a large crew, or require the use of any city or public property.
Commercial film productions, on the other hand, require a permit to take place in the city of Appleton. Therefore, to avoid violating Appleton's filming laws, you should first obtain a permit for your television show, feature film, documentary, or other projects that are solely intended for commercial purposes. Also, you need to get an Appleton film permit if you want to use a city street, sidewalk, park, airport, transit, or any other city-owned building or facility for your project.
Other city departments, such as the Health Department, Fire Department, Public Works Department, Police Department, and the Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department, may need to also grant you approvals or permits before your project in Appleton can kick off.
If you are unsure about whether you need a film permit for your project, reach out to the Office of the City Clerk for clarification.
Permit Management in Appleton
The Special Events Committee
In Appleton, the Special Events Committee is the team that evaluates applications for special events and commercial film productions. When a filmmaker submits their application to shoot in Appleton, the Special Events Committee – composed of City staff members from different City departments – reviews the application and recommends that it be approved or denied.
To start, reach out to the City Clerk’s office for guidance on what you may need to do before applying for the Appleton film permit, as this could save you valuable time as you prepare for your production. Thereafter, complete the permit application as early as possible since applications are treated on a first-come, first-served basis. As you fill out your application, prepare the following as well to accompany your submission:
An application fee.
Evidence of insurance that complies with the city’s production insurance requirements.
A letter to notify the folks in the neighborhood where the production is scheduled if required.
A signed hold harmless agreement.
A traffic or closure plan, if required.
A site plan or map, if required.
As part of the provisions of Appleton’s filming regulations, it is your responsibility as the filmmaker to contact all necessary agencies and departments in the city to obtain the required approvals or permits for your scheduled production.
What Insurance Do I Need in Appleton?
Filming in Appleton requires insurance, and filmmakers comply with this requirement by providing a certificate of insurance that covers all liabilities associated with the scheduled production. The liability insurance coverage typically includes commercial general liability and automobile liability. However, additional liability coverage may be required depending on the nature of your project in the city.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Appleton?
As a city that has hosted film production for over a century, Appleton is home to diverse filming locations. The city features indoor and outdoor locations that are easily accessible and adapted to suit the unique needs of filmmakers. For instance, filmmakers looking to film on railroads, streets, roads, and related locations will have an easy time in Appleton because several rail lines, alleys, streets, and roads crisscross the city.
For those seeking school environments for film shoots, Appleton has plenty of options to choose from. The Appleton Area School District consists of charter schools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Furthermore, the city is home to a technical college, a private liberal arts college, and university campuses like Lawrence University and Globe University.
If your desired filming location in Appleton is a tourist attraction or point of interest, feel free to check out the Hearthstone House, completed in 1881, or the History Museum at the Castle, featuring exhibits about the history of Fox River Valley. For even more options, check out the Paper Discovery Center, Fox River Mall, Trout Museum of Art, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Fox Cities Exhibition Center, Gardens of the Fox Cities, J. B. Courtney Woolen Mills, John Hart Whorton House, and Houdini Plaza to name a few.
There are numerous neighborhood parks and community parks in Appleton that are perfect for outdoor shoots. The standout parks are Memorial Park – the largest community park in the city, and City Park – the oldest park in the city. Other cool venues include Pierce Park, Telulah Park, and Jones Park. Fox River is a great site too.
If you fancy shooting in the commercial district of the city, you will find lots of spots to film business settings as there are several company headquarters here in Appleton.
Special Requirements in Appleton
Appleton
If you require parking arrangements for your production in Appleton, reach out to the Department of Public Works for information about availability and rates. If you also need to close roads for your production, obtain necessary approvals from the Department of Public Works. The Police Department is required to coordinate road closures, traffic control, and safety during production.
There are noise regulations in place in Appleton that every filmmaker must adhere to. The noise ordinance prevents loud, disturbing noises and sounds. If your production requires deviation from the ordinance, you must apply for a noise variance from the city’s Health Department.
If you plan to film with fireworks, pyrotechnics, and/or open flames, you must contact the city’s Fire Department at least seven days before you start production to obtain the necessary permits. Only a certified company with appropriately trained staff can handle the fireworks activities.
If you wish to film using city parks or trails, reach out to the city’s Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Management for information on what you need to do.
Wisconsin State Parks
The Department of Natural Resources oversees Wisconsin State Parks. You must obtain a Commercial Use Permit from the park manager where you intend to film before you can engage in commercial filming activities in state parks within and around Appleton.
Complete the Application Form and submit it at least two weeks before the date you plan to begin filming to obtain the permit. When applying for the Commercial Use Permit, you are required to pay a non-refundable $50 application fee. To meet the requirements of the park where you intend to film, you may need to submit other documents in addition to the application form and fee, such as proof of liability insurance.
Fox Cities Exhibition Center
If you wish to make use of the Fox Cities Exhibition Center for your project, complete and submit the request form, and a representative of the Center will contact you about what you need to do.
Hearthstone Historic House Museum
Any filmmaker that intends to film in the Hearthstone Historic House Museum must contact the Executive Director by phone or email to find out what the requirements are and provide all relevant information about the scheduled production.
History Museum at the Castle
Before you schedule any commercial film production at the History Museum at the Castle in Appleton, first reach out to the Visitor Experience and Interpretation Coordinator by phone or email to discuss your proposed project’s details and requirements.
What Does it Cost to Film in Appleton?
Your application for a permit to film in Appleton must include a non-refundable fee. This amount is determined by the scale and scope of your production, and you will be notified of the exact amount by the City Clerk's Office. If you do not apply for the permit on time, you may be required to pay a late application fee as well. So, liaise with the City Clerk's Office as early as possible to avoid paying additional fees. Besides the application fee, there is a filming fee charged for every production in the city, and this varies from project to project.
Additional Fees
Filming in Appleton may come with additional costs, too, such as location fees and any fees for using city staff or equipment (such as firefighters or police officers). Whenever you need to make use of these services for your production, be prepared to pay the stipulated fees within the timeframe provided by the relevant agency.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Appleton?
The city of Appleton is located north of Lake Winnebago and is bordered to the east by Kimberly, Little Chute, and Kaukauna. Menasha, Doty Island, and Neenah are municipalities that lie southwest of Appleton. Grand Chute is located directly west of the city, while Mackville lies northwest. Harrison and Highland Beach are southeast of the city.
Green Bay
Before you apply for the permit to shoot production on public property or within public places in the city of Green Bay, contact the city’s special event coordinator to discuss your project and understand the process. Then, you can complete the Special Events Application for Filming or Photography in Public Spaces.
You must accompany your application with a non-refundable application fee which will cover the processing and administrative costs for the permit. If you cancel production within 15 days of the start date, you may be charged a cancellation fee as well. There is a Special Hazard Fee for projects deemed to be a special hazard event in the city. Additional fees may also apply depending on the scale and scope of your production in the city.
As for the production insurance requirements in Green Bay, provide a certificate of insurance (sample) with the following: Commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. Automobile liability of at least $1,000,000 per accident (when applicable to production). Workers’ compensation insurance that aligns with statutory requirements. List the City of Green Bay and its staff as additional insured.
Additional permits may be required for your project in the city. If you intend to shoot in a parking lot in the city, you must obtain a Temporary Use Permit. To use amplified sound during production, contact the Police Department for a Noise Permit. The Fire Department and Public Works Department are other relevant agencies that are involved in film production activities in the city.
Kaukauna
If you wish to shoot any form of commercial production on public property in the city of Kaukauna, or you require assistance from city departments for your production, you must complete a Special Event Application and submit it by email. There is no fee for the permit application. However, you must apply at least 30 days before your intended start date. As part of your application, you require proof of insurance that meets the following requirements: Commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. Automobile liability (if required). Aircraft liability (if required). List the City of Kaukauna as additional insured. Sign an indemnification agreement.
Greenville
Every filmmaker planning a production in the Village of Greenville must complete and submit a Special Event Application to the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department at least 60 days before the date that filming is scheduled to start. The Village’s Special Event Committee will assess the application. Accompany your application with the following: The non-refundable application fee of $25. A detailed parking plan. A detailed site map.
If your project requires street or road closures, contact the Public Works Department. For pyrotechnics or fire effects, obtain a Fireworks Display Permit from the Village Clerk. As for the production insurance requirements in Greenville, the following apply: Commercial general liability of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Automobile liability of at least $500,000 per accident. Aircraft liability of $5,000,000, if required. Workers’ compensation insurance and Employer's Liability that aligns with statutory requirements. List the Village of Greenville as additional insured.
Menasha
Complete and apply for the permit to film in Menasha to the Parks and Recreation Department in the City Hall if you wish to film here. Ensure your application is received no later than 60 days before the date you intend to commence filming. Additional requirements are as follows:
A $25 non-refundable administration fee must accompany the application. A certificate of liability insurance and endorsement that name the city of Menasha as additional insured: Commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. Automobile liability of at least $500,000 per accident. Workers’ compensation insurance and Employer's Liability that aligns with statutory requirements. List the City of Menasha as additional insured. A Street Use Application (and a $25 Street Use Permit fee) for productions on city streets or any public right of way. A Fireworks Permit Application for productions involving fireworks/pyrotechnics. Notification to businesses and residents that will be affected by the filming activity. For productions that require street closure, the filmmaker must notify Valley Transit and Gold Cross Ambulance about the closure.
Neenah
The Special Events Coordinator in the city of Neenah receives applications for a film permit from filmmakers. Complete the application form and submit it via email no later than ten days before the date of production. If you require street closure for your project, submit the permit application no later than 45 days before the day that filming will commence.
Other requirements for your film permit application to be processed are highlighted below: Pay a $75 non-refundable application fee payable to the Department of Legal and Administrative Services (if your project requires partial or full street closure). There is no application fee for productions that do not require street closure. Obtain any other necessary permits, e.g., a Fireworks Permit. Provide a crisis management plan. Provide a detailed site and/or route map. Provide a certificate of liability insurance: General liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence. Name the City of Neenah as additional insured. Provide a street closure notification letter. Submit a traffic control plan. Sign a hold harmless indemnification agreement.
Outreach in Appleton
According to Appleton's filming guidelines, you should let the folks affected by your film project know about your proposed production before you start shooting with your film crew. Notifying them at least two days in advance is appropriate. By handing out flyers at the homes and businesses that the production might impact, you can reach out to the community.
People who will be directly impacted by the production and who may be concerned about noise, limited parking, or traffic congestion because of the shoot should be informed. Letters containing information about your production and the contact information of a member of your team who can answer local questions about your filming activities in the area are an alternative method of notification.
Community Management in Appleton
Filmmakers have an additional responsibility to appropriately manage the members of the community once their project begins in Appleton. By actively engaging people through appropriate channels like public shows, town hall meetings, open activities, and other similar events, you create a positive neighborhood experience. Whenever possible, request an invitation to such meetings, and take care not to disrupt the businesses and residents' daily operations throughout your stay in the city.
Conclusion
Appleton was one of the first filming locations in the Fox River Valley and has since maintained its reputation as a choice production destination in Wisconsin. No matter the nature or scale of your project, you can rest assured that you will find spots that meet your requirements – be it for a long shoot or a quick recording. Additionally, the hospitality of the residents is something you won’t forget. Send your film permit application to the Office of the City Clerk in Appleton as early as possible and get your supporting documents and fees ready for what will be an unbeatable filming experience here.