City Guide Filming in Dupont Circle, DC
Production Permit Fees
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability Insurance - $1,000,00 per occurrence
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Dupont Circle
Dupont Circle is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Washington, DC, although that's something that's not so superficially noticeable today. This neighborhood is an eclectic fusion of early 20th-century mansions and rowhouses occupied by foreign embassies, political research institutions, and a high number of DC's LGBTQ community.
If there's one neighborhood in Washington, DC, with a Bohemian atmosphere, then it's Dupont Circle. At its heart are the Dupont Circle park and traffic circle. The park is the place where people gather, not just to enjoy the tranquility or play a quiet game of chess, but to demonstrate and voice their opinions on whatever political faux pas they want to draw attention to.
Not surprisingly, many of the movies that have been filmed in Dupont Circle tend to have an underlying political theme. Sadly, Dupont Circle doesn't often get the credit it should as a filming location, but one movie that gives it the attention in the credits it justly deserves is the 2021-released Without Remorse, starring Michael B. Jordan.
While you'd have to binge-watch all six seasons, which amounts to 70-plus episodes, of House of Cards to catch a glimpse of Dupont Circle, it will appear on screen eventually. That said, though, unlike Kevin Spacey, it didn't have a leading role, so if you want to spot it, you'll have to exercise a little patience.
The cast and crew of the 2010 action-drama TV series Covert Affairs, which had a fascinating storyline about a young undercover female CIA trainee, also made several brief appearances on the streets of Dupont Circle. It's a neighborhood that perfectly suits that sort of production, so if you're working on a political thriller, your own version of a Bond movie, or have a script about foreign diplomats, you could well be investigating the right Washington, DC filming location.
You can get a good close-up look at some of the filming locations available in Dupont Circle on Giggster. Once you've seen them, you're bound to give them your vote, but before you head to Dupont Circle with your camera in hand, make sure you're in the know about filming regulations in Washington, DC, and whether or not you need a film permit to shoot there.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Dupont Circle?
Yes, you will need to obtain a film permit if you want to film in Dupont Circle, as the neighborhood falls under the jurisdiction of Washington, DC. Depending on the location you have chosen to film at and the size of your cast and crew, you may need more than one film permit.
The film permitting authorities for Dupont Circle are pretty efficient, so unless your production involves special effects such as pyrotechnics or fake weapons, a permit is usually processed in five to ten days. If your production involves pyrotechnics or fake weapons, the film permit can take longer to process.
Student Filming Permit –
Student production companies need to follow the same permitting process as any other production company but are exempt from permit and daily location fees.
Non-profit Organization Film Permit –
Non-profit production companies must apply for a film permit like any other production company. There is no fee discount or waiver of charges for non-profit organizations wanting to film in Dupont Circle, so don’t expect to arrive and start filming on the same day.
Permit Management in Dupont Circle
Permit Management In Dupont Circle – OCTFME & NPS
Film permitting for Dupont Circle is managed by in Washington the District of Columbia's Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment and the National Park Service.
OCTFME Film Permits
The OCTFME deals with most of the film permits required for filming in Dupont Circle, with the exception of Dupont Circle Park, which falls under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.
All applications to the OCTFME for film permits can be made online. You will need to complete the film permit application form on their webpage and submit it, but be sure to answer all of the questions, or your application will be rejected. This can add an unnecessary delay to your project.
The film permit application processing takes between three to five working days but may take longer if yours is a complex production involving street or sidewalk closures. The best bet is to submit everything as soon as you can so that you don’t run into any issues.
NB: The latest you can submit a film permit application is three working days before your proposed filming date. Attempt to submit it any later than that, and the OCTFME's permitting app will reject it automatically.
What Insurance Do I Need in Dupont Circle?
It's a compulsory requirement that you have liability insurance when filming in Dupont Circle or anywhere else in Washington, DC. You will be required to submit a copy of a valid insurance certificate during the film permit application process.
Minimum Insurance Requirement
General Liability Insurance - $1,000,00 per occurrence
The insurance certificate must include a statement saying the Government of the District of Columbia is additionally insured.
Students are not exempt from having liability insurance and are required to submit a valid insurance certificate with their permit application.
The National Parks Service does not specify any insurance liability requirements, but it's sensible to have at least the minimum coverage. If you film on an NPS property and leave a mess or cause damage, then you could end up being liable for clean-up fees ranging anywhere from $50,000 to $500,000. If in doubt, contact the relevant park superintendent for advice.
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 Dupont Circle?
One Dupont Circle filming location that's on everyone's agenda to check out is the park at its heart. Dupont Circle Park, with its central fountain, is where you need to be if you have a demonstration scene in your script or a battle between two chess masters that will rival any that took place in the Queen's Gambit.
When you're scouting for a quiet residential area to film in, then you should have a look at the Strivers Section Historic District. There you'll find street after street of magnificent rowhouses, over 400 of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
For undeniably luxurious interior filming locations in Dupont Circle, then the hotels like the Mansion on O Street and the Dupont Circle Hotel will probably be exactly what you're seeking. They're not the only two places that offer a touch of class in this DC neighborhood, either.
In Dupont Circle, you'll come across amazing office spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows that are perfect for executive or politician's meetings. There are plenty of conference rooms, too, should you need one as a presidential campaign base. There are also houses with rooms and gardens that are so elegantly decked out they could stand in for rooms at the White House or be the home of a high-ranking foreign diplomat.
The Bohemian atmosphere of Dupont Circle means there's no shortage of artsy restaurants and cafes that are more than happy to accommodate a film crew. Let's face it, that's far more interesting than running a normal daily service, especially for the servers and kitchen staff.
When you want to include some scenes in your production that have a more cultural note, then the Phillips Collection, an art museum, or the museum at the Mansion on O Street Hotel is ideal. If you're filming a murder mystery or spy thriller, you may want to take an in-depth look at the Mansion on O Street Hotel. Its period furnishings will take you back to the 1950s, and you'll be enthralled by its secret doors.
The bottom line is that although it’s a relatively small area, Dupont Circle has so much to offer prospective filmmakers.
Special Requirements in Dupont Circle
Special Requirements
To date, there are no special requirements you should be aware of if you're planning to film in Dupont Circle. Just remember that the NPS manages Dupont Circle Park, so you must apply to them for a film permit.
You may need to remember that Dupont Circle is the location of Washington, DC's annual gay pride event, Capital Pride. The event takes place in June and has a habit of increasing the area's population with a staggering 200,000 or more visitors. As the parade passes through just about every street in the neighborhood, filming during Capital Pride would be impossible, and you probably wouldn't get a permit for those dates.
Another time of the year to avoid trying to film in Dupont Circle is the annual High Heel Race. It's only a three-block race, but the drag queens and the crowds they attract to view the spectacular cause complete mayhem. Again, you’d unlikely be granted a film permit to film anywhere near these blocks during this event.
What Does it Cost to Film in Dupont Circle?
The standard fees you will incur to obtain a filming permit from the OCTFME are listed below. Cost is based on cast and crew size but doesn't include any additional fees you may be charged for road closures, parking, or police and fire department presence. Standard OCTFME Filming Permit Fees Application Processing Fee - $30 Film Permit in Dupont Circle for productions with a cast and crew of under 10 First Day - $150 Additional Days - $50 to a maximum of $500 per project. Film Permit in Dupont Circle for productions with a cast and crew of 10 to 39 First Day - $300 Additional Days - $10 to a maximum of $1,500 per project. Film Permit in Dupont Circle for productions with a cast and crew of 40 to 69 First Day - $450 Additional Days - $150 to a maximum of $3000 per project. Film Permit in Dupont Circle for productions with a cast and crew of 70 or more First Day - $600 Additional Days - $200 with no maximum limit No fees are payable until your film permit has been granted, and as you can see, for a large-scale production of 70 cast and crew or more, the costs can really add up because there’s no ceiling. The NPS does not charge a fee for film permits.
Additional Fees
When filming in public areas like Dupont Circle for commercial or large-scale projects, filmmakers may need to acquire permits from the relevant local authorities. These permits often involve additional fees that cover administrative costs, location usage, potential disruption to the public, and any necessary services like security or cleanup.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Dupont Circle?
Dupont Circle is a neighborhood of Washington, DC, that takes up a mere 170 acres of the capital city. Approximately 18,000 people reside there on a permanent basis. Dupont Circle's boundaries are defined by Florida Avenue to the west, Swann Street to the north, 16th Street to the east, and Rhode Island Avenue to the south. The neighborhood of Kalorama borders Dupont Circle to the northwest, and West End borders it to the southwest. The Golden Triangle and Downtown Washington to the south, and Logan Circle to the east. If your chosen filming location should fall outside of the jurisdiction of Dupont Circle, it'll likely still be within Washington, DC, and so any film permit you require will be managed by either the OCTFME or the NPS. It’s nice when you don’t have to contact too many different permitting agencies!
Outreach in Dupont Circle
While the OCTFME doesn't publish any requirements concerning outreach in Dupont Circle, you should be prepared to do it.
There are several sensitive areas in Dupont Circle that will need prior notice of when your filming activities are going to be taking place. In some cases delivering a printed notification may prove to be difficult because of security measures, so you should be prepared to find alternative methods of communication, such as preliminary phone calls or emails.
If the area of Dupont Circle you're going to be filming in is more of a residential or commercial area, then it will be a lot simpler than notifying embassies or institutions.
To be respectful to the local residents and business owners, all you need to let them know is the locations, times, and dates where the filming is going to be taking place, the name of the production company, and a contact name, number, and email. Notifications should be delivered to all households and businesses within a 300-500 foot radius of each filming location at least two to three days prior to the shoot to give people time to respond.
Community Management in Dupont Circle
Having a great community manager on your team when filming in Dupont Circle is essential. You never know who you're going to have to deal with next. It could be anyone from a high-ranking foreign diplomat to a preening diva of a drag queen, so you'll need someone on your side with exceptional public relations skills.
There's always the likelihood of a self-important politician popping up, too, so your community manager will need to be fully prepared to cover all eventualities. Your community manager will need to be someone who can adapt quickly to any situation and know how to handle a variety of characters that may have very dominant or outgoing personalities. Yes, you may well need a superhuman community manager with enough verbal talents to talk themselves into Congress, but you'll be in exactly the right place to find someone who fits the bill.
Conclusion
Dupont Circle may be a small neighborhood, but it has a character all of its own. There are some amazing filming locations that are well worth taking a look at. The permitting may be a bit more complex than in other cities, but the OCTFME and the NPS are there to help, so make the most of the resources they'll put at your disposal.
From impressive period mansions to green spaces and perfect political backdrops, it’s never hard to find a perfect film location in Dupont Circle. Just apply for your Dupont Circle film permit as soon as possible and you’re unlikely to run into any major issues. Happy filming!