City Guide Filming in Boston, MA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: To be determined by the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment
- Film Permit Application Fee: To be determined by the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment
Minimum Insurance
- Personal Injury Protection with at least $1 million in coverage
- Protection against damage to City property of at least $5,000 in coverage
Additional Permits
- Police and Fire Requirements: Although the Mayor’s Office of Tourism, Sport, and Entertainment assists, the filmmakers are primarily responsible for contacting and abiding by the requirements of the Boston Police and Fire Departments.
Discounts
About Boston
If you are a member of academia, you certainly would understand how highly the greater Boston area is esteemed because of the high-ranking and renowned educational institutions. That is the same way folks in the production industry revere the city of Boston for its prominence as a filmmaking destination.
Boston, located just southeast of Cambridge, has been home to filmmaking since 1903 and has remained among the top spots for everything production-related. The opening of the first movie theater in the city in 1906 — The Theatre Comique — was another driver of production and filming because it attracted creatives and filming enthusiasts when production was still in its infancy in the United States.
There are lots of benefits to filming in the city of Boston. One of the reasons the city remains an attractive filming location is the tax incentives that production companies are eligible for simply because they are filming in Massachusetts. These incentives come in the form of production credits, payroll credits, and sales tax exemptions. These are hard to resist.
Another thing that makes Boston a choice place to bring production cast and crew members is the sheer abundance of locations available in the city. Thanks to its rich history, the city is home to plenty of historical sites and buildings, cultural spots, and diverse urban centers that perfectly suit the requirements of filmmakers. Boston is indeed a production haven!
The list of movies, TV shows, ads, and commercial productions in Boston is endless, especially as the city has been in the game since the start of the 20th century. Some popular projects filmed here include Don't Look Up, Free Guy, Knives Out, Little Women, Shutter Island, The Departed, CODA, Cheers, Good Will Hunting, Transformers, Grown Ups, Moneyball, The Social Network, and The Proposal. The award-winning films set in the city are numerous. Find the location for your next production in Boston now using Giggster.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Boston?
If you are in Boston, using your smartphone, and won’t disturb public activities nor use the recording for commercial purposes, you may not require a permit for such filming. A good example is filming with family or friends while on vacation.
On the other hand, before you can engage in any form of commercial production (such as feature films, commercials, documentaries, student films, TV shows, etc.) in Boston, you will require a film permit.
If you require spots on streets for filming or parking production vehicles, you should obtain a Street Occupancy Permit from the Department of Public Works. If you will be filming on a public street or public way, you will require a Public Area Permit from the Department of Public Works.
Before using special effects or generators for your production in Boston, you must obtain a Special Hazards Permit through the Boston Fire Department.
If using a drone in Boston, you must contact the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for permission to use the drone and abide by the requirements for such activities.
Permit Management in Boston
The Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment
Every filmmaker who wishes to film in Boston must secure permits from several departments in the city before filming. The Mayor’s Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment is the office that guides film production companies through the permitting process in Boston. According to Boston filming laws, a filmmaker must apply for a film permit at least ten days before the filming date.
The first step for obtaining the required permits is to contact the Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment and book an appointment either via email or phone. The purpose of this first contact is for the Office to review your production plans and determine which permits you will need to get based on the scope of your project. At this point, you can begin visiting the various city departments (e.g., Public Works, Police, Fire, etc.) for additional permits for your production.
After your project is reviewed, you need to arrange for production insurance according to the provisions of Boston filming regulations. Thereafter, you can then proceed to submit a film permit request online. This is where you will provide more information about your project and the production crew.
After submitting the film permit request, the next step is to schedule a meeting at the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment at City Hall Square. You will need to come along with proof of insurance, production documents, and any other permit(s) you have secured.
As part of the requirements for your project, you may need to hire a Police or Emergency Medical Services detail for public and crew safety reasons. The Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment assists filmmakers with securing the services of city agencies; however, it is the primary responsibility of the filmmaker to contact these agencies and comply with the requirements for their services.
What Insurance Do I Need in Boston?
The production insurance requirements of the city of Boston that every filmmaker must comply with to secure a film permit are as follows:
Obtain a certificate of insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 coverage for personal injury protection. The cover must be valid for the entire duration of filming and list the City of Boston as the certificate holder.
Provide a minimum of $5,000 coverage for protection against damage to City property in the form of a security bond issued to the City of Boston. The bond company that issues the cover must be local, and there is usually an associated $50 bond fee.
If you need to provide additional insurance because of the scope of your production, the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment will notify you accordingly.
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 Boston?
There are so many places where producers can choose to set up their filming equipment in Boston. Whether it’s old vintage settings, rural areas, or urban centers, there’s always that place that will suit what the filmmaker wants. For instance, as one of the oldest municipalities in the country, Boston is home to lots of firsts - the first public park, the first public state school, the first large public library, and the first subway system. These are locations you won’t find anywhere else in the United States.
For filmmakers who are crazy about architecture, Boston’s architectural landscape continues to excite and amaze. The city features structurally significant buildings from the early 20th century but also has plenty of buildings that reflect modern tastes and biases. Spots to consider in the city include The Longfellow Bridge, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Horticultural Hall, Boston Opera House, and Jordan Hall.
Common architectural styles in the city include 21st Century/Contemporary, Art Deco, Art & Crafts/Bungalow, Beaux Arts, Brownstone, Cape Cod, Colonial, English Cottage, Federal, Georgian, German/Swiss, Gothic, Government, High Tech/Futuristic, Mid-Century Modern, and Victorian. There’s no way you won’t find what you need here.
If you visit Downtown Boston, you will find low-rise masonry Greek Revival and Federal-style buildings and modern high-rises. The Victorian-era structures are in the South End Historic District in the city. Residential buildings and single-family homes abound as well. Art galleries and museums are among several other prominent features of Boston.
Special Requirements in Boston
Boston National Historical Park
Boston National Historical Park owns and manages Charlestown Navy Yard, Bunker Hill Monument Grounds, and Dorchester Heights. To film in any of these locations, a filmmaker must contact the Special Park Use Office by email or phone to apply. Here are some of the things to consider while applying for a permit to film in Boston National Historical Park:
If significant Park personnel or resources are required to evaluate an application, the costs will be billed to the permittee
Attach every applicable supporting document to your application to make the review process quicker and more effective
Simple applications are processed within 14 days. However, more complex requests may take up to 30 days to process
You will need to submit your social security number or Federal Tax ID number as part of your application
There are restrictions on large production equipment, and these are treated on a case-by-case basis
The Park has a monitoring program for production which involves the use of Park Rangers or other staff, all of which are at the expense of the filmmaker
The Special Park Use Office will provide the filmmaker with a schedule of the total costs incurred during production.
State Parks
The Department of Conservation & Recreation manages film permits for state parks in Boston. If you wish to film here, you must apply for a state parks film/video production permit.
State parks in Boston are:
Boston Harbor Islands
Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach, and Carson Beach
Charles River Reservation
Constitution Beach Park
Francis D. Martini Memorial Shell Park and Moynihan Recreation Area
Lower Neponset River Trail
Pope John Paul II Park Reservation
Roxbury Heritage State Park
Southwest Corridor Park
Here is a guide to obtaining a film permit in any of the State parks in the city of Boston:
Create an account on the online application portal
Provide all supporting documents and information relevant to your project
Submit a certificate of insurance with at least $1,000,000 in liability and list the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Conservation and Recreation as additional insured.
Pay the applicable filming fee
$250 per day for commercial filmmakers
$100 per project for students
The parking fee schedule in effect within state parks is available here.
Municipal Buildings
The City of Boston Property Management Department manages the City Hall, Sam Adams Park, and Faneuil Hall. Therefore, all applications for filming in and around these facilities are treated by the Department.
The application is online and should be submitted at least 30 days before the date of filming. In the response to your request, you will be informed about which other permit(s) you will need for your project as well as the guidelines to follow.
Boston Public Library
Filmmakers that wish to make use of the Boston Public Library for filming are required to contact the Events Office via email or phone to make inquiries about the process and provide details of their production.
Massachusetts Port Authority
Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) manages Logan International Airport and the Port of Boston. Anyone that intends to engage in commercial filming on these premises is required to send their request and general inquiry to the Massport office.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority supports filming in Boston and welcomes filmmakers to make use of their properties and facilities in the city, so long as production does not significantly impact transportation activities.
Here is a guide on how to obtain a film permit from the MBTA:
Complete the Filming & Photography application at least 30 days before the proposed filming date
Upload a letter of intent, as well as your project plans while using MBTA’s services
Pay the non-refundable $1,000 license administration fee
If approved, you will receive a copy of the filming license for you to sign and return
Return the signed filming license with the required fees and insurance certificates acceptable to the MBTA
The production insurance requirement is a minimum of $1,000,000 general liability (the combined single limit for bodily injury/property damage)
Thereafter, you will be issued your film permit
Filming is not allowed between 6 am - 9:30 am and 4 pm -7 pm on weekdays
Location fees for commercial production vary from $5,000 to $10,000 for 8 hours and exclude fees for additional hours used.
What Does it Cost to Film in Boston?
When filming on a public street or way in Boston, there is a $20 fee per location per day. If a Boston Police detail is required for production, the filmmaker will pay for at least four hours of their service. If they exceed four hours, the filmmaker will be charged for at least eight hours. Thereafter, the bill will be on an hourly basis. In addition to a 10% administrative charge, these are the rates for a Police detail:
Additional Fees
Emergency medical services detail is a minimum of three hours and commences from half an hour before filming to half an hour after filming. Here are the rates for Emergency medical services:
Geographical Jurisdiction of Boston?
The city of Boston, being the largest city in the Greater Boston metropolitan area, is bordered by lots of towns and cities. Boston Harbor Islands and Winthrop lie east, while Somerville and Cambridge are north of Boston. The town of Brookline and the city of Newton are located west, while Dedham, Milton, and Quincy are located south of the city. Some of the rivers that flow through Boston, separating it from nearby cities and towns, include the Charles River, Neponset River, and Mystic River. Cambridge If you wish to film in the city of Cambridge, complete the Filming Request Form. In addition, you may require a sidewalk obstruction permit, among other permits to film in the city. Rest assured that you will be notified about the permits you need after your request is received and reviewed. There may be the need for a Special Events meeting as well, where representatives from various city departments will meet with you to discuss your production and its requirements. Large commercial film shoots require a 60-day notice, while student films require only two weeks’ notice. Winthrop Every filmmaker that wishes to film in Winthrop must contact the Town Manager via email describing the details, purpose, and needs of the production. Revere To obtain a permit to film in Revere, send an email to the Fire Chief and include in it the details of the project as well as what you require for production. Everett Contact the Director of Communications in Everett via email for inquiries about a film permit in the city. Reach out to the Police Department Chief as well. Somerville The process of obtaining a film permit in the town of Somerville is rather easy and short. You simply need to contact the Deputy Director of Communications at least one month before filming and follow the instructions provided. You will only need a permit if you wish to film or park production equipment in public spaces. Watertown If your film production will require public space in Watertown, then you will need a permit. For that, you must submit a film permit application and await a response from the Public Arts & Culture Planner, who will discuss the needs of your project as well as the associated permit fees. These fees vary from project to project and depend on how many Watertown employees will be needed for the project. You may need to sign a location agreement too. Newton Contact the Citizen’s Assistance Officer in Newton for information about film production and you will receive all necessary forms for the film permit. After you fill out the application form, you will need to sign a Release & Indemnity form and provide insurance cover of at least $1,000,000 that lists the City of Newton as an additional insured. Brookline For small film productions in Brookline, contact the Police Department. However, production teams with large projects are to contact the Board of Selectmen in the town. Dedham Film permits are often required on a case-by-case basis in the town of Dedham. Therefore, filmmakers are to contact the office of the Assistant Town Manager with the needs and intent of their production. Milton To obtain a film permit in the town of Milton, complete the Filming Special Use Permit Application and pay the non-refundable $150 fee. Thereafter, your application will be sent to appropriate parties in the town for review. If there are additional costs for your project, you will receive an invoice for those fees which you must pay before the commencement of filming. An additional requirement is a certificate of insurance that includes the Town of Milton as an additional insured and covers the liability of at least $1,000,000. Quincy The Film Liaison Office is the one-stop shop for film production in the city of Quincy. The office provides services such as film permitting, parking, and location scouting, among others, to filmmakers that wish to do business in the city. Simply contact the office to get started.
Outreach in Boston
Although Boston filming guidelines do not require filmmakers intending to film in the city to reach out to residents and business owners in the proposed filming location before filming, it is good practice to do so. Sending a notification about the proposed filming activity ahead of the project prepares the residents for the upcoming activity and helps them adjust, if necessary.
Community Management in Boston
Production teams can ensure that every member of the community is only positively impacted by their production activities by strictly adhering to the filming guidelines in Boston. Where the project may disturb the community, the filmmaker can proactively avoid trouble by ensuring that people can easily contact them to express their concerns. If compensation is necessary and acceptable, the filmmaker can also make arrangements for it.
Conclusion
Since the city of Boston welcomed filmmaking and filmmakers in the early 1900s, it has continued to set the pace as one of the places to reckon with for production activities. The combined action of the film permitting agency and the residents and businesses further make visiting the city attractive to production companies. When you also consider how the city is awash with fascinating locations for film shoots, the temptation to visit with your production team becomes hard to resist.
Filmmakers can secure their permits to film in Boston by first reaching out to the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment to discuss the details of the project and find out which other permits may be required. Thereafter, the filmmakers will complete a permit request, provide required documentation, and visit the Film Office for a meeting with the designated representatives to tidy up the application. Within ten days, the permit can be in hand, and the filmmaker can get the show on the road.