Philadelphia

About Philadelphia

There's no debating that Philadelphia has been the location for several important events, some that, while not historic, are iconic.

Founded in the late 17th century on the banks of the Delaware River, Philadelphia has been the country's capital, witnessed the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and heard the ringing of the Liberty Bell. While it's a city undeniably steeped in history, does it offer anything for filmmakers not producing period dramas? It certainly does.

Most film fans will already know that one of the many memorable scenes in Sylvester Stallone's first Rocky movie took place at the Philadelphia Museum of Art's steps.

The 1983 movie Trading Places, one of the all-time great comedies starring Dan Ackroyd and Eddie Murphy, was filmed in Philadelphia. M. Night Shyamalan chose the city for his 2006 psychological fantasy thriller Lady In The Water, for the outstanding and unforgettable Sixth Sense, starring Bruce Willis, and for Split, starring James McAvoy.

Choose Philadelphia as your film shoot location, and you'll be joining the ranks of the A-listers who have already been there. Philadelphia is a huge city, so rather than scouting the streets on foot, save yourself time, energy, and leg work by checking out available locations on Giggster. It's a great way to see what's where, so you can start weeding out the places you don't want to film from the places you do.

Do I Need a Filming Permit in Philadelphia?

All commercial film productions taking place in Philadelphia are required to have a Commercial Activity License. If you've chosen the city as your filming location, you should go through some paperwork rigmarole before you can start shooting.

Applications for a Commercial Activity License can be made online via the phila.gov website on the permits, violations, and licenses page. Alternatively, applications can be made in person at the following address:-

Permit and License Center

1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard

MSB Public Service Concourse

Philadelphia, PA 1902

NB: Office hours are Monday to Friday from eight in the morning until three-thirty in the afternoon. Prior appointments are essential.

You must have a current city tax account to obtain a Commercial Activity License. You can apply for one on the phili.gov website.

Whether or not you will need any other type of filming permit to film in Philadelphia depends on the location you have chosen for your shoot, whether you will need road or sidewalk closures, require temporary parking spaces, will be filming in one of the city's parks, or want to film somewhere like the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The City Of Philadelphia has strict rules on how and when to apply for a film permit. Follow the application guidelines, or don't leave it to the last minute, or you'll incur extra fees. To avoid surplus charges, submit your film permit application ten working days before your estimated start date.

You will also be charged extra fees for rescheduling shoot dates because of bad weather or any other inconvenience that might delay the stated date of the start of the shoot.

Submitting a film permit application cannot be made online or by fax. You will need to download the application form from the phila.gov website — it's on the permits, violations, and licenses page —complete it and return it by mail or in person.

Any fees relevant to your film permit must be paid by check when submitting the permit application. Credit cards are not accepted for any payments.

Student Permits

Students are required to submit a letter from a professor on a faculty-headed paper stating the filming they want to do in the city is part of their course work. If the filming isn't relevant to their studies, then normal fees and procedures apply.

Tip

Don't try to obtain lower permit fees by applying as a student, b-roll, or public service announcement production if you're not. All applications for these categories are thoroughly vetted, and it doesn't go down well if you get caught out.

Special Effects Permit

If you are going to use any type of special effect which incorporates pyrotechnics, bonfires, cooking on grills, lanterns, and candles, plus the shooting of any fake weapons, you will need a permit. The special effects permit is issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspection. Prior to the department issuing the permit, your initial application for a special effects permit has to be made to the City of Philadelphia Fire Department. They will assess the effects and then, if it's okayed, will pass your application to the Department of Licenses and Inspection. You will need to submit your application to the fire department at least fifteen working days in advance of your estimated filming start date. The fire department issues a list of requisites you must comply with when submitting the application, which includes a certificate of insurance, the special effects company's federal license, and a site diagram. The full list of the fire department's requirements and an application form can be downloaded in pdf format from the Greater Philadelphia Film Office website.

Permit Management in Philadelphia

City of Philadelphia & NPS

The City of Philadelphia and the National Parks Service issue filming permits.

City of Philadelphia

For filming at any of the following locations, you will need to apply for a filming permit from the City of Philadelphia Permits, violations, and Licenses Department:-

The Philadelphia Art Museum

Any city park

Any Philadelphia recreation and park facility

Filming On National Parks Property

You may not be required to apply for a film permit for NPS property if yours is a low-impact-classed production. Low-impact productions have less than five cast and crew members that don't use heavy equipment. If you doubt whether you qualify as a low-impact production, always contact the relevant park superintendent to check before you start filming.

If you have a sizeable cast and crew or intend on using heavy equipment, you need to contact the superintendent in charge of the park you want to film at least ten days before your estimated shoot date. It's entirely up to the superintendent whether you will be issued with a permit or not.

Filming With A Drone

To be able to film with a drone in Philadelphia, you are required to apply for a separate permit from the Federal Aviation Administration.

About The Greater Philadelphia Film Office

The Greater Philadelphia Film Office does not issue film permits. What the GPFO provides, should you require it, is a coordination service. The GPFO will assist you in liaising with all the necessary government departments at a fee to ensure you have the correct permits in place before you begin filming. They will also provide an outreach service.

Greater Philadelphia Film Office Coordination Fees

Independent Features - $250 per day

Single Episode TV & Documentary - $200 per day

Web Shorts - $175 per day

Student Filming – Free

If you wait to request the coordination services of the GPFO until within five working days from your shoot date, you will be charged -

Late Fee - $50

Additional Daily Charge - $50 per day for the shoot duration.

What Insurance Do I Need in Philadelphia?

You will need general liability insurance to film in Philadelphia and obtain a film permit should your filming require it.

An endorsed insurance certificate must state The City of Philadelphia, its officers, employees, and agents are additionally insured, or the insurance won't be accepted as valid.

General Liability

$1,000,000 per occurrence

Advertising injury

$1,000,000 per occurrence

General Aggregate

$2,000,000

Property Damage

$1,000,000

Worker's Compensation

$100,000 per accident

Employers' Liability

$100,000 per incident

Bodily Injury Limit

$500,000

Commercial Automobile Liability

$1,000,000

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 Philadelphia?

Think of filming in Philadelphia, and the first shoot locations that come to mind will probably be Boathouse Row, that idyllic setting on the Schuylkill River, Rittenhouse Square with its emblematic historic buildings, or the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

They're understandable choices, but they're locations that will push your budget through the roof as you'll need to fork out hefty fees to be able to film at either of the three. Old City is a great alternative and a square mile crammed with cobbled streets, characterful buildings, and summertime sidewalk cafes.

For scenes that need a classic skyscraper background and a busy city vibe, Downtown Philly is your place. For more Latino-European screen appeal, check out colorful South Philly. Penn's Landing is the spot to consider for a background with historic buildings, bridges, ships, and the Delaware River. The Delaware Riverfront is fantastic, and for that romantic nighttime scene, where else other than Spruce Street Harbor Park?

They are a small selection of outdoor shoot locations in Philadelphia, and when you start scouting for indoor ones, you soon discover that the choice is just as wide.

The types of internal filming locations on offer in Philadelphia are enough to fill the pages of a book if they were typed one after the other. Start looking, and you'll come across smartly decorated studios with amazing views from the windows of the Old City. In contrast, a Gothic mansion would be suitable for a remake of the Addams Family.

There are other large independent houses surrounded by manicured gardens that could serve as a presidential summer retreat. A renovated stone barn with a swimming pool would be ideal for a romantic hideaway or a rock star's private abode.

Million-dollar condos, urban lofts, and penthouses abound, as do event spaces, bars, restaurants, and offices. Dance studios, yoga studios, gyms, art galleries, and any-purpose showrooms are all there waiting to be adapted to suit the script. All you have to do is find the right one.

Special Requirements in Philadelphia

Security Deposits

Some public properties in Philadelphia require a security deposit before you can film there. Security deposits apply to student filming. The good news is they're refundable. The amount payable for the security deposit depends on the location of the filming, the size of the production, and the impact on the surrounding community.

Security Deposit - $250 minimum

Filming at the Spruce Street Harbor Park & the Delaware River Waterfront

To film at the Spruce Street Harbor Park or along the Delaware River Waterfront, you should apply for a filming permit from the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC). Before being granted a film permit, you should have liability insurance naming the DRWC as additionally insured.

DRWC Film Permit

$100 per hour. Minimum 2 hours

What Does it Cost to Film in Philadelphia?

The City of Philadelphia initially only asks for a minimal application fee for processing a film permit. That fee does not include any charges you may be made for the use of public property or public employees.

Film Permit Application Fee

$25 non-refundable

Student Film Application Fee

$25 non-refundable

Additional Fees

Because they are so popular as film locations, the fees for filming at some places are published, while the fees for lesser-used locations are not. Final fees are decided at the discretion of the City of Philadelphia. You may incur some, or you may not.

Feature Film

Film Permit - $3500

TV Series Episode

Film Permit - $1000

Student Filming

Film Permit - Free

The above figures are just an example. Other fees apply for different locations, such as the museum steps, Boathouse Row, and other city park locations. Late Permit Application Charges You must apply for a film permit ten working days before your estimated filming start date. You must pay extra charges if you don't register within the set time limit. Applications received less than ten days before the shoot date incur a surcharge of $100 or, if greater, 25% percent of the site cost. Applications received less than three days before the shoot date incur a surcharge of $200 or, if greater, 30% percent of the site cost. Students who are late submitting their permit applications will be liable for the $100 or $200 charge only.

Geographical Jurisdiction of Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is a sprawling urban mass that covers over one-hundred and forty square miles, only eight and a half of which are water. It's also the sixth most populous city in the United States with one million, six-hundred thousand plus inhabitants. The Delaware River runs along the city's entire eastern boundary from north to south. To the northeast, the city is bordered by Bensalem and Feasterville-Trevose. To the southwest by Springfield and Drexel Hill. To the west by Bala Cynwyd and Elkins Park and to the northwest by Bryn Athyn. If you decide to take your film shoot outside of Philadelphia to somewhere like Bensalem in Bucks County, you will need to apply for a filming permit from the Bucks County Senior Marketing and Communications Officer.

Outreach in Philadelphia

You will be required to undertake outreach before starting filming in Philadelphia. It's not stated as a requisite for obtaining a film permit by the City of Philadelphia, but it's a good measure for preventing problems during the shoot.

You may want to consider employing the coordination services of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office if you don't have enough time or sufficient employees to help with the distribution of notifications. It's a service you will have to pay for, but at least you know the job will get done efficiently.

The GPFO's minimum pre-production fees start at $150.

Community Management in Philadelphia

Unless you've got some top stars or are making a parody of Rocky and have a Sylvester Stallone lookalike charge up those famous steps, which is something everyone will want to see, it's a good idea to have a community manager on your team.

You may have acquired a film permit to film on the museum steps, but there'll still be members of the public milling around. In this type of location, time is money, and any interruption will cost you plenty of it and possibly the inconvenience of going through the entire permit application process again.

Having a community manager on hand is always a wise investment. They'll smooth out any problems, and you'll be able to get on with getting the filming done.

Conclusion

Philadelphia is a fantastic city for filmmakers, and some great films came to life on its streets that have become absolute classics of the silver screen. Scout suitable locations, apply for the correct permits, and follow the City of Philadelphia's filming guidelines. The movie could be the next big hit. If it worked for M. Night Shyamalan, who is to say it won't work for you too?

City Guide Filming in Philadelphia, PH

Production Permit Fees

Minimum Insurance

Additional Permits

Discounts