City Guide Filming in Duluth, GA
Production Permit Fees
- Film permit application fee: $200 (non-refundable)
- High-Impact Permit Fee: $500 (production with more than 50 people on site)
- Change of Plans: $250 (Due to administrative time and scheduling)
- Timing: Minimum 3 business days for a simple shoot
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability Insurance
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Duluth
While Los Angeles remains the epicenter of film production, many film production companies and filmmakers know Georgia is the next biggest game in town. Thanks to a great tax incentive, several films have been shot in Georgia and the metro area, with several filmmakers setting up shop in Duluth, whether it was “Cobra Kai” making use of the Atlanta Ice Forum in Duluth or the star-studded “Queen Bees” filmed at Parc Retirement Community at Duluth.
The state tax incentive isn’t the only factor that brings film productions into Duluth. Experienced crew and well-equipped soundstages increase the city’s appeal. And the variety and diversity of locations available are also very enticing. The city location runs the gamut - expansive parks, Victorian homes, high schools, malls, banks, and more.
Duluth is a thriving hub for several film productions and is here to make your filming as streamlined and easy as possible. However, to film in Duluth, it is recommended that you learn about the City of Duluth’s film permit requirements, locations, public safety, road closures, and more.
So, you've been looking for the perfect filming location in the City of Duluth and have trouble choosing? Or perhaps you don't even know where to start looking? Check out some great locations here.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Duluth?
A film permit is a formal approval in the form of a license issued by the City of Duluth PIO Department that allows your production company to shoot a film in Duluth.
No person shall utilize any public right-of-way, public property, or facility for the purpose of making any film production unless such person has first applied to the Marketing Coordinator for and secured permission for each occurrence, as provided in the City’s Policy.
A filming permit may be required in the City of Duluth if your film project includes any of the following:
Filming on public property
Filming requiring street closure, setup of barricades, sidewalk closure, or lane closure
Use of property belonging to the City of Duluth
Use of a temporary structure, like a stage
Pyrotechnics or other explosives
Display of artificial or real firearms
Water effects, flame effects, or smoke effects
Car chases and crashes
Dangerous stunts
Use of wild animals regulated by law
Use of any equipment that may cause damage to public property
If your film production includes any of the features listed above, you’ll need to contact the agency to discuss your requirements further. Keep in mind that you do not need to request a filming permit while exercising your First Amendment rights. This means you can film protests, demonstrations, and rallies on public property without first acquiring a filming permit.
Even if you do not require a filming permit, the City of Duluth may request that you complete an information sheet regarding your film production. It comprises fundamental information about your film production, such as the film name, budget, crew size, and so on.
Permit Management in Duluth
City of Duluth PIO Department
The City of Duluth PIO Department offers a filming permit for any film production shooting on public property inside city limits. To support the City of Duluth's steadily growing film industry, the agency has simplified the filming permit process for filmmakers, accelerated the employment of local talent in the City, created film production-related educational resources, and works endlessly to protect the interests and rights of the community members affected by film production activities.
Any application submitted under this Policy will be investigated and processed by the City Manager. The City Manager shall forward the application required by the City to the proper public officials as deemed necessary upon receipt of your film permit application. Such departments and officials shall study and examine items pertinent to your application and shall report their findings and recommendations to the City Manager within the time limit designated by the City Manager.
Prior to issuing a permit, the City Manager or designee may impose any other conditions reasonably calculated to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Policy and to protect the safety, health, welfare, and property of citizens of the City, including a limitation on the permit's duration and the location of the production film activities.
If the City approves your filming permit application, a written permit will be issued detailing the time, date, and filming location as well as authorized activities within the range of the permit. The production business must always keep a copy of the permit on hand.
However, if the permittee or its employee fails, neglects, or refuses to fully comply with any or all film requirements and provisions set forth by the City, including the filming conditions imposed upon issuance of the permit, or with any or all provisions, ordinances, statutes, regulations, or other law incorporated by reference in its Policy, the City Manager or designee may revoke the permit.
What Insurance Do I Need in Duluth?
Before you can film in Duluth, you will need proof of insurance. The insurance regulations for Duluth film licenses also indicate that the City of Duluth must be included as an extra insured. This is a standard film production policy regulation. Even if your project does not necessitate a film permit, you should consider insurance for protection on set and around equipment rentals.
The most common filming insurance policies required by the City of Duluth include the following:
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 Duluth?
The best part about filming in the City of Duluth is the variety of amazing locations available. The City is home to various schools, a fantastic downtown area, gorgeous beaches, wonderful natural settings, nice suburban towns, architectural gems, and much more. There's little reason to look outside the City for the ideal filming locations.
For a start, the Gas South District has everything you could need for your downtown shooting location. The 118-acre property houses an arena, a performing arts theater, and a convention facility that serves Metro Atlanta. These venues will hold concerts, trade exhibitions, and Broadway musicals at any given moment. The district is also home to Atlanta's professional lacrosse and hockey clubs, the Gladiators and the Swarm.
The McDaniel Farm Park is another great filming location. On this 125-acre property, the historic barn, blacksmith shop, farmhouse, and other structures have been restored. Picnic spaces and walking pathways are also available in the parks for film production.
The Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth is also notable for more than just railroad memorabilia. Georgia's official transportation history museum offers the largest collection of rolling stock, including carriages, life-sized trains, buses, and vehicles. Throughout 2017, the museum hosted a range of film and photographic projects. For instance, "Hangman," starring Al Pacino, has a cameo by the Georgia Railroad.
McDaniel Agricultural Park is also a historic farm property with several nature-focused attractions for filmmakers. There's a farm-themed playground on the site and three miles of nature paths to explore for the perfect shoot. You might also want to look into Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center, Stone Mountain Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, and Lake Sidney Lanier.
In addition to these features, Duluth offers several other magnificent natural and architectural settings perfect for film production.
Special Requirements in Duluth
Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center
You are required to contact the rental Coordinator to get a permit to shoot film at the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center.
You may not use tape, tacks, nails, or any adhesives on the woodwork or walls inside the buildings. Only silk/ faux petals are permitted inside the Summerour house; no authentic flower petals are permitted. There will be no confetti, candles, sparklers, or glitter.
All cleanup is the responsibility of your production company. Everything brought in by you, guests, or vendors must be removed. You are required to clear the tables and kitchen of food and beverages. After collecting all the waste, you can place the trash bags on the side of the road near the goat fence.
Street Closures
If streets are to be blocked or traffic is to be obstructed in any way, you must use police officers from the City of Duluth for at least four hours every day until the completion of your film project.
Patrol police are paid $35 per hour, whereas traffic cops are paid $45 per hour. You can make this arrangement through the Duluth Police Department. The Duluth Police Department can help you request street closures. A permit may be necessary.
Production Cleanup
You are responsible for the disposal of all film gear, materials, and debris, as well as any associated charges, immediately following the end of the film production. The right-of-way will be left in its original condition. If you fail to remove these items by the permitted production dates, they may be considered abandoned, and your production company will be issued an invoice for City disposal or cleanup fees.
Base Camps
Base camps are not permitted to be situated on public streets. Only production vehicles, such as grip vehicles used for electricity and/or lighting, may be parked on a public roadway at the filming area if necessary. Crew parking, caterers, the honey wagon, and other non-essential production vehicles must be kept in a certain spot.
City Departments Approvals
Police, Fire, Engineering, Downtown Development Authority, Public Services, and other departments, as appropriate, will examine and approve filming activities before approving your permit.
Your production company must follow all of the permit's criteria and restrictions. If the City of Duluth's production permit or policy terms are violated, the City may immediately suspend all your filming activities and cancel the permit.
Southeastern Railway Museum
Location fees for filming in Southeastern Railway Museum depend on the specifics of each film production. They are determined by several factors, including the purpose and nature of the film production, its potential promotional value to Southeastern Railway Museum, the date and time of day you’ll be shooting, disruption to the facility visitors and operations, production intended market, length of stay, the impact of the production on the Museum staff, and the extent to which the facility is required to provide support for the filming project.
The Southeastern Railway Museum maintains the right to authorize final content for anything in which the Museum or its collection is mentioned or represented visually.
All filming and photography must be done in a way that does not interfere with Museum operations or restrict access to exhibits, rooms, high-traffic areas, entrances/exits, or other areas of interest to the Museum visitors.
What Does it Cost to Film in Duluth?
Depending on the scope of the filming project, application fees are required before the first production date. In addition, you will be expected to pay for any services supplied by the City related to the production to protect the citizens' safety, health, and welfare, such as police, streets, fire, and other departments considered essential.
Additional Fees
In addition to any fees required, your film company must reimburse the City of Duluth for any lost revenue, such as public property repairs. All filming permit fees are payable to the City of Duluth through the City of Duluth PIO Department. Also, remember that these fees are subject to change at any time.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Duluth?
Duluth is a city in the Georgia county of Gwinnett. It lies about 22 miles Northeast of Atlanta, just north of Interstate 85. Duluth has a population of 31,873 as of the 2020 census, and the United States Census Bureau predicted the population to be 31,864 in 2021.
The Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center, Gwinnett Place Mall, the Red Clay Theater, the Infinite Energy Center, and the Hudgens Center for the Arts are all located in Duluth. It also houses GMC's Glancy Campus (a 30-bed facility near downtown) and Northside Hospital-Duluth (an 81-bed hospital built in 2006).
Duluth's small-town charm and closeness to Atlanta and all of the City's attractions have made it a pull for residential growth in the City. In addition, the growth of the Gwinnett Place Mall area, the availability of sewer service and county water, the Duluth convenient interstate, the recreational and aesthetic appeal of the Chattahoochee River, and access to the highway have all been cited as major factors that contribute to the population growth of Duluth.
Downtown Duluth has a booming business district with numerous shops and restaurants to pick from. Every year on the last weekend of September, the City celebrates an annual Fall Festival in the town center. The Southeastern Railway Museum is the official transportation museum of Georgia, which is also located in Duluth. While Duluth is within Gwinnett, the City is considered a separate entity, and the filming permit is not administered by Gwinnett.
Outreach in Duluth
The City of Duluth PIO Department wants to ensure that every production company in the City has a good relationship with its neighbors. So, before you film in the City, the City of Duluth PIO Department requires the production company to notify affected residents, occupants, and businesses of the duration and location of production, including information about planned road and lane closures, special effects, sidewalk usage and no parking requests in advance of any production and as instructed by the City of Duluth Georgia.
The production company is required to minimize the impact on individuals and businesses affected by their film production. So, this poll will help the City of Duluth PIO Department assess the potential impact of your filming activities on the community.
Community Management in Duluth
Community management is fundamental to successful film production, which is why many production companies hire a community manager or a team to interact with a community and reply quickly to comments or inquiries. You need to do more to create connections with the community. Listening to them shows that you value their opinions and feedback.
For instance, if your production involves night filming, you can ease the mind of the residents by letting them know you have taken precautions to ensure that they are not kept up all night. Also, if production requires prop guns with blanks (which sound very real and are incredibly loud), residents should be informed so that they are not alarmed and believe an actual gunfight is going on.
It is simple to accomplish this. But, first, inquire about the interests of the residents and business. Then apply this to your community strategy. Speak to them like you are a human being, not a business robot. The better the communication between the production company and the community members, the more successful the project will be.
Conclusion
The City of Duluth is a diverse and thriving community that comprises not just attractive country scenery but also neighborhoods varying in size and character, along with community centers, parks, lakes, beaches, and trails. The city is bound to attract filmmakers worldwide because it is a cultural center with stunning architecture. As a result, many of the city views or localities have been shown on screens for several years.
In addition, the City of Duluth PIO Department has a knowledgeable staff that is ready to help in your quest to shoot a film in the City. The City of Duluth's distinct characteristics and helpful resources make it film friendly and open for business.
This guide is an excellent source of information on current film production requirements, regulation, and permit in the City of Duluth. In addition, it also provides information on ideal filming locations, special filming requirements, the cost of filming in the City, etc.