City Guide Filming in Bloomington, MN
Production Permit Fees
Minimum Insurance
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Bloomington
While the City of Bloomington is not Hollywood, it has served as a major backdrop to several film productions over the years. Have you heard of blockbuster movies such as Grumpy Old Men, Fargo, and The Might? These have all been filmed here in Bloomington. Other notable films shot in the city include Best Man Down, Ice Castles, The End of the Tour, and Viva La Bam.
In fact, Bloomington is a thriving film production hub. It is home to hardworking film production crews comprising seasoned workers with expertise in feature, TV, commercial, and corporate production. This talent pool is deep, diverse, and dedicated, so they can work on stage and in front of cameras.
In addition, the city's parks, lakes, unique architectural styles, and downtown areas make it a great place to shoot different types of movies. All these make the city the ideal film location for film production companies looking to create top-rated shows.
However, before filming, if you want to shoot a commercial film in Bloomington, you must adhere to its filming rules and regulations to avoid getting into problems with the authorities. It is extremely important to thoroughly research and have proper documentation before filming, and that’s where the city’s film permit regulations come in.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Bloomington?
A film permit is necessary for any project with commercial value. Multiple permits may be required if the filming project is intended for distribution and sale. However, a filming permit is not needed if the project is for personal use and for the enjoyment of friends and family.
Filming permits help balance the needs of film production on set with the community's needs. The permission required for filming often depends on the location and type of filming. For instance, permission may be needed for any production that involves:
Film production involves the use of prop vehicles, prop weapons or actors in police uniforms.
Filming in a city building interiors, parks, subways, tunnels or bridges. Obtaining clearance from the relevant authorities is also necessary for these film productions.
Requiring exclusive use of City property.
Requiring parking rights for film production vehicles (you do not need a permit for personal automobiles).
Filming at night in a residential area using an external light source.
Utilizing non-handheld equipment such as jibs and dollies (handheld equipment includes bounce boards, cameras on tripods, boom mics, etc.)
If unsure whether your film production requires a filming permit, contact the City of Bloomington Office for more detailed information.
Permit Management in Bloomington
City of Bloomington Office
The City of Bloomington Office is the go-to agency for film production permits and other information related to filming permits in Bloomington. The agency works closely with city departments to ensure that your production has everything it needs to run smoothly.
With over 80 thousand people, Bloomington is a bustling city where film production and everyday life intersect. Recognizing this, the City of Bloomington Office strives to strike a balance between enhancing the production experience and respecting the needs of local communities. Whether it's addressing setting up base camps, parking issues, or managing lane closures, the agency can help you navigate the unique challenges of filming in different locations.
When filming in private locations, it's important to be aware that additional approvals may be required. For example, shooting a film in the Mall of America requires approval from the organization. To make the approval process as smooth as possible, provide an overall calendar for your shoot that includes each day's location and physical address.
Also, remember that obtaining a film permit takes effort, including securing a suitable insurance policy, drafting a well-written application, and allowing sufficient time for review. So, starting the process early and working with an experienced production insurance broker can simplify the process.
What Insurance Do I Need in Bloomington?
Film production insurance protects filmmakers, their teams, and their equipment from potential legal claims. Filmmaking is challenging, and despite the best efforts to prevent them, accidents and unforeseen events can occur. Delays in filming, equipment damage, and crew members' injuries are all possibilities that can happen on a set.
Having production insurance in place ensures that the financial burden is minimized in the event of any unforeseen circumstances. Without this coverage, these types of situations could cause severe financial strain on film production.
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 Bloomington?
The City of Bloomington has diverse filming locations to meet any project needs, including small suburban neighborhoods, urban areas, open prairies, thick forests, and bodies of water like lakes and rivers. Whatever kind of setting your film production requires, you are likely to find it in or close to Bloomington.
In addition, the Mall of America in Bloomington is not just a shopping center but an ideal filming location for filmmakers. With over 60 restaurants and 520 stores, it offers a variety of attractions such as arcades, a movie theater, a simulator ride, an indoor theme park, mini-golf, Minnesota's largest aquarium, and more that can be perfect for film production.
The mall not only serves as a suitable location for filming scenes but also offers ample space for storing sets and costumes, parking trucks, and maintaining production offices. Additionally, the cost of using the mall can be negotiated.
The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is an urban oasis where people, communities, and wildlife intersect. The refuge boasts a variety of habitats, including prairies, wetlands, bottomland forests, and woodlands, all of which offer a glimpse of wildlife in the midst of the Twin Cities. This protected area serves a vital role in preserving biodiversity, natural landscapes, and cultural heritage, making it a popular destination for filmmakers in Bloomington.
Additionally, the city boasts several parks and outdoor areas that are highly sought-after filming locations. For instance, Hyland Lake is a beautiful destination with picturesque prairie vistas and a large lake. The park also boasts the Richardson Nature Center, a playground, an 18-hole disc golf course, a three-hole disc golf practice area, and Hyland Hills Ski Area. With numerous facilities available, the park offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Normandale Lake Park is also a great location for production companies to consider. It features a variety of amenities, including a bandshell where summer concerts take place, hiking trails for visitors to explore, and picnic areas complete with a shelter.
Special Requirements in Bloomington
Filming at Parks and City Parks Properties
The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is in charge of overseeing several million dollars worth of assets within the city. They have a policy that allows film production as long as it does not harm the city's resources, disrupt the public's use of the park, or interfere with their normal activities.
Wildlife filming is authorized as long as no resident or free-roaming animals are disturbed, fed, teased, or manipulated. You are not allowed to use any wildlife captured outside of the park for filming, regardless of whether the animals have been trained or not.
The department reserves the right to revoke filming permission with 24 hours' notice or without notice if your film production company fails to follow the terms of the agreement.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
All commercial photography and filming need special use permits. Additional limitations may apply. You must contact the Deputy Refuge Manager for additional information.
Refuge areas and trails are open daily from sunrise to dusk. Items such as photographic blinds and game cams may not be left overnight.
Department of Labor and Industry
The Department of Labor and Industry is responsible for inspecting all electrical equipment and wiring for on-location filming and comparable operations in conformity with Minnesota law and rules. Portable and vehicle-mounted generators, as well as portable or temporary power distribution systems, must be assessed.
Changes or additions to premises wiring systems, permanent electrical infrastructure, or other fixed wiring systems must also be inspected independently. Before being activated and put to use, equipment must be examined and in conformity.
The film production firm or its authorized representative is responsible for contacting the department in sufficient time to allow completion of all needed electrical inspections, code violations repair, and reinspection.
Sound Amplification
A permit is required if you are conducting a private event, such as film production in a City park, and intend to utilize sound amplifiers or loudspeakers. This ensures that people holding these activities are informed of and have the opportunity to comply with the City's noise laws.
What Does it Cost to Film in Bloomington?
The cost of filming in the City of Bloomington varies based on the specific project and location. Obtaining a permit is necessary, and there may be additional fees for obtaining permits through other city agencies. These costs may include expenses for traffic control and street closures. Assembling a budget for a film is a difficult task. Creating a successful film requires a great deal of skill and preparation due to the intricate nature of the art form and the substantial financial commitment involved. Working with the City of Bloomington Office can help you manage costs and meet the production's needs, and they can serve as a useful guide for planning your film project in the city Although the cost of fees may accumulate rapidly, the repercussions of disregarding filming regulations in Bloomington are severe. The city may impose penalties for non-compliance or temporarily halt your film production until all compliance matters are resolved. Therefore, planning for all expenses necessary for filming is crucial to avoid violating city regulations.
Additional Fees
If you don't have your equipment, you may need to rent cameras, lighting, sound gear, etc., which can add to your expenses. Also, if your team is coming from out of town, you'll need to consider transportation costs and lodging for the duration of the shoot.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Bloomington?
Located in Hennepin County, Bloomington is a suburban city in Minnesota. It is located on the north bank of the Minnesota River, above where it meets the Mississippi River and 10 miles south of downtown Minneapolis and has a population of 89,987 as of the 2020 census, making it the fourth-largest city in Minnesota. As a result of the housing boom following World War II, the city was constructed as a suburban area connected to the urban street grid of Minneapolis. It can be easily reached via two major freeways: Interstate 494 and Interstate 35W.
Interstate 35W informally separates Bloomington into two distinct areas known as "West Bloomington" and "East Bloomington." West Bloomington primarily consists of newer residential properties and high-rise office buildings located along Interstate Highway 494 in the northern region. In contrast, East Bloomington is home to a higher concentration of industrial buildings, popular retail centers, and a greater variety of affordable housing options. The dividing line between the two areas is often considered France Avenue, where the boundaries of high school attendance zones converge.
The city has a high number of jobs per capita, and houses the headquarters of major companies like Tor, HealthPartners, and Ceridian. Boasting a vast park system encompassing more than 1,000 square feet of parkland per person, the city is home to both Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Hyland Lake Park Reserve. Additionally, the city is known for housing the largest enclosed shopping center in the United States, the Mall of America.
The United States Census Bureau states that the city's area is 38.42 square miles, with 34.68 square miles of land and 3.74 square miles of water. It is composed of three main land types - a sand plain in the northeastern part, low hills in the western part, and a valley in the far south along the Minnesota River.
Additionally, a significant portion of the city is designated as parkland, including large natural areas such as the Hyland Lake Park Reserve and Minnesota Valley's wetlands. Bloomington also has several water bodies, including Bush Lake, Lake Normandale, Long Meadow Lake, Nine Mile Creek, Marsh Lake, and Penn Lake, as well as over 100 small lakes and ponds with their accompanying wetland habitats.
Outreach in Bloomington
When filming in a residential neighborhood or business district in the City of Bloomington, it is important to properly notify all merchants and residents whom your film production may directly impact. This includes notifying them of any parking, base camp, or catering areas that may be used. This should be done at least a few days prior to filming at the location.
To notify the community, you may be required to use a sample resident letter as a template and customize it for your specific production. Additionally, it is important to reach out to the local Community Board, Business Improvement District, and City Council District. This not only helps to make the filming process smoother but also allows for the film production to be connected to a long-term plan for improving the lives of the community's residents and businesses in Bloomington.
Community Management in Bloomington
To ensure the success of film production in any community, it is essential to gain the support and participation of local residents and business owners. Their input and feedback are crucial in determining the continuation of production activities in their neighborhood. If residents and business owners are dissatisfied, it can lead to negative reactions from elected officials and the potential restriction or prohibition of certain types of production.
However, these entities can also serve as valuable assets to the production process. The more involvement and assistance they provide, the greater the chances of a successful and satisfying project outcome. So, effective communication with neighborhood residents and business owners is crucial for the success of any film production.
Keeping residents informed and involved in the process is essential, as they can become upset if they feel left in the dark. It's important to remember that life continues as normal for residents and businesses during filming and minimizing disruptions to their daily routines is crucial.
The business community, in particular, should not feel that film activity is negatively impacting their operations. A mutually beneficial relationship can be achieved when businesses see an increase in sales or positive exposure due to the production's presence. It's up to the production team to effectively communicate these potential benefits to the community.
Conclusion
The City of Bloomington has the ideal neighborhoods and natural landscapes to adapt to any desired location. The city's popularity as a movie filming location makes it a great choice.
Bloomington is a highly respected Film & TV production city in Minnesota, recognized for its talented crews, diverse locations, and competitive production environment. Its main advantage is the extensive experience and expertise of its crews, who are renowned for delivering exceptional productions efficiently and cost-effectively. Additionally, the city boasts stunning natural beauty and a wide variety of locations.
When planning to shoot a film in the city, your initial point of contact should be the City of Bloomington Office. You need to partner with the agency to secure production filming permits. To ensure a smooth permitting process and benefit both productions and local communities for years to come, it is important to plan ahead and obtain a permit as soon as possible. Additionally, your production company will have a greater chance of receiving approval by preparing and organizing the necessary elements, such as production insurance.
Hopefully, this guide can help make the entire film production process in Bloomington easy. Also, allow enough time to complete the application and remain on schedule. Obtaining a Bloomington film permit can be overwhelming for filmmakers with many other production tasks to attend to.