City Guide Filming in Morristown, NJ
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: $500 per day
- Film Permit Application Fee: $500 (Free for students)
Minimum Insurance
- Bodily injury per person per occurrence of $1,000,000
- Aggregate cover of $3,000,000
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Morristown
Since the mid-1900s, Morristown has been one of the places in Morris County, New Jersey, that has played host to filmmakers and production teams who love to use fine settings for their work. Despite filming being a common practice in the town since then, it was not until recently that the ordinance to regulate commercial filmmaking was put in place in Morristown. This town, a few miles southwest of the borough of Hanover, is the birthplace of some of the world’s leading actors and actresses such as Peter Dinklage, Karin Justman, and Fran Lebowitz.
Morristown is a delight to visit for tourists and filmmakers alike because of its well-known history as a pivotal location in the war for independence from Great Britain. Today, the majority of the attractive sites in this town, which is dubbed The Military Capital of the American Revolution, make for fascinating backdrops in motion pictures and documentaries. This is why filmmakers never hesitate to come here with their cast and crew for their projects.
Some of the more popular productions here include American Gangster, Stepmom, Far from Heaven, The Messenger (I), Little America, One True Thing, and Firstborn. If you are considering making your own film production in Morristown, use Giggster to find all the best locations in the town.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Morristown?
Before you can set out to film in Morristown, you should first find out whether you require a film permit or not, because you want to ensure you are in line with Morristown filming laws to avoid inadvertent lawbreaking. There are two circumstances under which you do not require a film permit in Morristown:
You are filming a news story; and/or
You are filming all by yourself with a hand-held camera and do not have any assistance from another person.
To film outside of these two aforementioned conditions in Morristown, you need to first get a permit. Typically, your production would either be still or motion pictures for commercial or educational purposes such that your audience would be viewing the recording on TV, over the internet, or in theaters.
There are provisions for students to also obtain film permits in Morristown; however, students must meet certain criteria to be granted these permits. Moreover, where it is deemed necessary because of the scope and scale of a project, a filmmaker may be required to apply for a fire permit as well, in addition to the film permit.
Permit Management in Morristown
Office of the Town Clerk
The Office of the Town Clerk in Morristown handles and issues film permits to production companies and filmmakers who wish to roll their cameras in the town. Filmmakers are to submit their permit applications to the Town Clerk via email at least thirty days before the first filming date. This is regardless of whether the filming is going to take place on municipal property or on private property in the town.
Here are some additional things to consider if a filmmaker seeking a permit wishes to comply with the Morristown filming guidelines:
A full schedule must be provided for film shoots that will take place for multiple days;
A Certificate of Insurance must accompany the application;
A completed and signed Hold Harmless Agreement is required;
There must be a written notification to the residents and business owners in the area where the filming will take place;
Film permits are not transferable.
As part of the application review process, it may be such that the services of additional agencies are required during the duration of the filming if deemed necessary. Such agencies include the Division of Public Works, Morristown Police Bureau, Morristown Fire Department, Morristown Parking Authority (MPA), etc.
In some cases, it will be the sole responsibility of the filmmaker to establish contact with the external agency (such as in the case of the MPA). In some other cases, the Town Clerk will liaise with these agencies directly and have their input on what will be required for the project before the permit is issued. The filmmaker must operate within the guidelines and ordinances provided by these agencies for the entire period of the film production. For instance, if the Morristown’s Chief of Police deems it necessary, then the permittee must agree to hire firefighters, police, or other security personnel.
For students to obtain a film permit in Morristown, they have to show evidence of enrolment in a bona fide education institution by providing a letter from an administrator or teacher that verifies that the filming is for education purposes only.
What Insurance Do I Need in Morristown?
For a filmmaker’s permit application in Morristown to be reviewed and approved, the filmmaker must meet the production insurance requirements of the town
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 Morristown?
The experience of filming in Morristown is always delightful, thanks in large part to the amazing locations in the town. Here, filmmakers will find beautiful tree-lined streets, picturesque parks, museums, landmarks, a lively downtown area, and many historic homes and places ideal for film shoots.
Filming in Morristown is incomplete without exploring the magnificence of the Morristown National Historical Park and its historic sites. There are so many places within the park that meet different production requirements, ranging from farms to hiking trails, campsites, and unique architectural pieces like a Revolution-era Georgian-style mansion, etc.
Another top destination in Morristown is Morristown Green, popularly called “the Green”, a park in the town where several monuments from past wars in the region lie. Within the park, filmmakers will also find historic churches, a shopping district, and a colonial courthouse.
Special Requirements in Morristown
Morristown National Historical Park
Filming activities in Morristown National Historical Park may or may not require a permit depending on whether the filming falls under the “Low-Impact Filming” or “Non-Low-Impact Filming” category. These two categories are the ones used to classify filming in the park. Low-Impact Filming, which does not require a permit, generally takes place in public outdoor areas with less than five people and with simple equipment that’s easily carried around. Furthermore, the filming takes place during normal visitation hours. If your filming conditions differ from these, then a permit is required.
The first step to obtaining a film permit in Morristown National Historical Park is to contact the designated park representative via email before submitting an application. The Park requires filmmakers to allow at least four weeks for the processing of a permit after the application is submitted. As for the charges, the application fee is a non-refundable $75, while some additional fees may apply – the filmmaker will be duly notified. During the correspondence with the designated park representative, the production team will also be notified of what the insurance requirements for the project are.
Supporting documents that may be requested when you apply for the permit to film in Morristown National Historical Park are those that will provide information about your plans for staging, parking, sound systems, crowd control, site cleanup, and buildings to be used.
The Green
The permit to film at the Morristown Green is obtained from the Office of the Town Clerk. However, before any filmmaker can apply for such a permit, they first have to secure written approval from the Trustees of the Morristown Green. Without written approval, the permit request will be declined.
NJ Transit
To film on any of NJ Transit’s trains or buses in Morristown, a filmmaker needs to submit a Film and Photo Shoots request and also fulfill some other requirements. Some of these are highlighted below:
Schedule a walk-through at least five days before the intended date of filming to examine lighting, sound, location of vehicles, equipment, etc.;
Arrange a pre-production meeting immediately after the walk-through to finalize costs and fees;
Attend Safety Training Classes online to get temporary and permanent badges that should be worn for the duration of the filming;
Submit liability insurance that covers the following:
General liability of $5,000,000 per occurrence;
Protective liability of $2,000,000 per occurrence if filming will take place within 50 ft of the railway right-of-way;
Aggregate insurance of $6,000,000 if filming will take place within 50 ft of the railroad right of way;
Proof of Workers’ Compensation coverage;
List the State of New Jersey and NJ Transit as additional insured.
Agree to a $1,000 cancelation fee if the filming is canceled after the site visit;
Agree in writing to pay the designated fee for every additional site visit after the first one.
What Does it Cost to Film in Morristown?
To film in Morristown, production companies must pay certain fees as part of their application for a permit. These fees include:
Additional Fees
Apart from these fees, filmmakers will be charged standard rates for the services and assistance of city staff throughout the filming process, as well the as facilities and other resources used in production. Fees may be waived for students who are enrolled in a bona fide educational institution if it is proven that filming is strictly for educational purposes and not for commercial use.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Morristown?
Morristown is one of the doughnut towns in New Jersey as it is completely surrounded by Morris Township. Neighboring boroughs and townships include Morris Plains Borough to the north, Hanover Township to the northeast, Madison Borough to the southeast, and Mendham Township to the west.
Morris Plains
The Borough of Morris Plains Clerk’s office is responsible for issuing permits to film on public or private property in the borough. Film permit applications must be submitted at least ten calendar days before the first date of filming in Morris Plains Borough to be considered for review and approval. The permit usually covers a maximum of five days of filming per project, but this may be extended under certain conditions.
For the permit to be issued, the following considerations are essential: Filmmakers must notify business owners and residents within 200 ft of the filming location at least three business days before the submission of the application, and get their approvals where necessary; Meet the insurance requirements by providing a Certificate of Insurance that covers: $1,000,000 for bodily injury per person and $3,000,000 aggregate per occurrence; $1,000,000 for property damage per occurrence; $1,000,000 minimum for auto liability; $3,000,000 minimum umbrella liability per claim and aggregate; Workers’ Compensation Insurance and Employer’s Liability that meets statutory requirements; Include the Borough of Morris Plain as additional insured; Provide a waiver of subrogation endorsement and written hold harmless and indemnification agreement; Provide a refundable cash guarantee or surety bond of $1,000; Obtain written approval from the Morris Plains Police Department that states that the permit can be issued; Be prepared to hire off-duty Morris Plains police officers as required; Film only between 8 am and dusk, except otherwise approved.
Hanover Township
Film permits in Hanover Township are issued to filmmakers by the Township Business Administrator/Township Clerk, and each application for the permit must be submitted at least seven business days before the start date of filming.
A maximum of two permits can be issued to one applicant in any calendar year, and this will only be done if the filmmaker complies with the insurance requirements below: Minimum insurance of $500,000 for bodily injury to one person and an aggregate of $100,000,000 minimum; Property damage insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence.
Other requirements and considerations for the permit to be issued in Hanover Township are: Submit a completed Indemnity and Hold Harmless Agreement; Comply with directives by the Township agencies like the Police Department, Fire Department, etc.; Pay a refundable $500 cash bond or $1,000 maintenance bond; Film between the normal hours of 8 am and 8 pm or sunset, except otherwise approved; Accept police officers or any other personnel designated to the film project by the Town when deemed necessary and pay associated fees for their services;
As per filming rates: Public property – Either $1,500 per day or $5,000 per day (depending on the nature of the project); Private property – Either $500 per day or $2,000 per day (depending on the nature of the project); Non-profit filming rates - $200 per day for simple filming activities; Student rates – Free for simple films, $500 per day for complex film activities.
Madison Borough
Film permits in Madison Borough are issued by the Borough Clerk. Filmmakers are required to submit their permit applications at least ten days before the commencement of filming and comply with a number of requirements:
Provide a signed Indemnification Agreement and Filmmaker’s Code of Professional Responsibility document; Obtain clearance from the Madison Police Department for the permit to be issued; Provide a Certificate of Insurance that names the Borough of Madison as additional insured and covers bodily injury of $1,000,000 per person per occurrence with an aggregate of $3,000,000, and property damage insurance of $500,000; Provide proof that the property owners, residents, and businesses in the area of the filming location have been notified of the production at least three business days prior in writing; Make arrangements for police coverage during the film shoot;
Pay the applicable filming fees: Application fee - $100 (Students – free); Non-profit application fee - $25 Filming fee - $500 per day Non-profit filming fee - $100 per day Provide a refundable cash bond of $500 or a maintenance bond of $1,000. Each film permit is normally valid for a maximum of five calendar days, and normal filming in Madison is between 8 am and 10 pm.
Outreach in Morristown
Before a film permit can be approved by the Office of the Town Clerk in Morristown, the filmmaker has to provide evidence that they have provided written notification to the members of the community where the filming is scheduled to take place. This will ensure that they have complied with Morristown’s filming regulation on outreach. This notification is expected to contain the proposed dates of the filming as well as the specific areas where the filming activities will be carried out.
Community Management in Morristown
Filmmakers have a responsibility to the residents of Morristown, particularly those that are within the immediate vicinity of the approved filming location(s) that would foster better community relationships, including:
Conducting all filming activities in such a way that there is minimal inconvenience to the hosts, such as in the areas of parking, noise levels, etc.;
Cleaning up after each day of filming to keep the location neat and tidy;
Setting up a communication channel through which the community members can provide information to the film production team if required.
Conclusion
Ever since Morristown was opened up to the world of filmmaking, the town has attracted several reputable directors, producers, and actors. The town has also featured in a series of documentaries, TV shows, and commercials, further adding to its value in the production space within the county. The residents and business owners in town certainly make the film cast and crew welcome whenever they are around for business. Add to that the abundance of historic locations here, and you will see just why Morristown should not be overlooked.
To get a permit to film here, a filmmaker needs to plan ahead as the Office of the Town Clerk requires at least thirty days of processing time. The application goes through several agencies in the town just to ensure that all the aspects of the film project are properly examined and all the necessary services that will make the project a success are duly arranged for. At the end of the day, this thoroughness makes the filming experience in the town smooth, productive, and enjoyable for both the filming company and the host community.