City Guide Filming in Phoenix, AZ
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Application Fee: $100
Minimum Insurance
- Commercial General Liability
- Airport Tarmac Liability
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona, is a city that many people know and love. The city is not only popular among filmmakers, but also tourists, fun lovers, and entertainment buffs. Here, you’ll find lots of performing arts venues that host various acts and performances all year round. Plus, the over 300 days of sunshine in the city makes it a top tourist destination as there are so many places to visit for premium recreation. Of course, all that sunshine makes this a great city to film in. For filmmakers, it’s hard to find a place that beats Phoenix when it comes to a memorable production experience.
Home to film production since the mid-1900s, the city of Phoenix, which is more than 100 miles northwest of Tucson, has established itself as a go-to hub for film shoots. From television shows to commercials, major motion pictures, and various kinds of productions, the city has everything that every cast and crew may need for a successful outing. You can also add to that the Arizona Motion Picture Production Program which offers producers filming in Phoenix the opportunity to enjoy tax incentives for doing their business in the state.
There are many benefits to filming in Phoenix. For instance, the weather here supports production almost all year round. The filming locations? Amazing and abundant. Phoenix has been doubling as other cities around the world for a long time, and perfectly so too. Check out productions such as Mr. Robot, Gunsmoke, Moneyball, Little Miss Sunshine, Psycho, Jerry Maguire, The Karate Kid, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Just One of the Guys, and Anastasia to have a feel of what the city offers. You’ll see that you need to find your filming location in the city right away using Giggster.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Phoenix?
In the city of Phoenix, anyone who intends to shoot features, ads and commercials, TV series and shows, webcasts, and any other type of production for commercial use must first obtain a Phoenix Film and Digital Media Permit (FDM Permit). As a filmmaker, you will also require a Phoenix FDM permit if you intend to make use of locations that are managed by the city (such as City-owned buildings or parks) as well as places in the public right-of-way within the city boundaries.
Every filmmaker whose project involves the use of pyrotechnics must have a special effects operator with a valid federal ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) license. Moreover, the filmmaker must obtain the required special effects permits from the Phoenix Fire Prevention Department.
If you are here to film for personal reasons and your activities will not impact the public, you may not require a permit for such filming. However, it’s best to reach out to the city of Phoenix Film Office just to be sure. After all, you wouldn’t want to break any Phoenix filming laws while going about your business in the city.
Permit Management in Phoenix
Phoenix Film Office
The city of Phoenix Film Office is the agency that issues and manages film permits and coordinates all filming activities within city-owned locations in Phoenix. In addition, the Film Office also provides some other services that production companies may need to make their production hassle-free in the city. These services include:
Location assistance
Information gathering on hotel accommodations, talents, or technical crews
Liaison with government agencies and the local community
Consequently, the Phoenix Film Office acts as a one-stop shop for everything relating to film permits and production in the city, ultimately leading to a seamless production. This means that the filmmaker does not have to worry about contacting any city department directly as the Phoenix Film Office takes care of that.
There are three simple steps that every filmmaker that requires a Phoenix FDM permit must follow in Phoenix:
Complete an Intent to Film/Shoot Application in which the filmmaker will describe the details of the project
Provide a certificate of insurance that complies with the city’s production insurance requirements
Pay the permit application fee
You should fill in as much information as possible about your project in the Intent to Film/Shoot Application to ensure that a representative from the Phoenix Film Office will contact you within 24 business hours. If the Film Office is satisfied with your application, you will receive a link to pay the permit fee, and thereafter your permit will be issued to you.
There are some other additional requirements that you may need to meet before the FDM permit is issued. This will depend on the nature and scope of your project, and they include the following:
You may be required to submit the scope of work (containing scripts, etc.) for approval
You may be required to provide evidence of consent from the owners of properties where you intend to film in the city
You may be required to provide proof of neighborhood notification
Where other agencies such as the Police and Fire Departments will need to be involved in your production, you will need to cover the cost of their services (regardless of whether their personnel are acting as on-duty or off-duty officers)
You may need to pay a payment or performance bond
Regarding the timeframe for FDM permit applications, every filmmaker must submit the Intent to Film/Shoot Application at least one week before the proposed filming date. Furthermore, the permittee must submit the certificate of insurance and pay the permit fee at least 48 business hours before the filming date. Lastly, the permittee and Film Office must sign the Phoenix FDM permit at least 24 business hours before the start of filming.
What Insurance Do I Need in Phoenix?
To film in the city of Phoenix, you need to provide a certificate of insurance (COI) for $1,000,000 with an aggregate of $2,000,000 before you can receive a Phoenix FDM permit. Moreover, if you will be filming on an airport tarmac in the city, you also need to provide $5,000,000 liability insurance. In addition, you must include the following wording on the COI: "The City of Phoenix is an Additional Insured with respect to liability arising out of the activities performed by or on behalf of the permittee."
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 Phoenix?
Production teams are welcome to take advantage of the diverse landscapes and sceneries in Phoenix that make the city not only a choice filming destination but also an economical one. Imagine being able to conveniently present areas such as Los Angeles, Palm Springs, South Carolina, and even the Middle East, to name a few, all from within Phoenix. Here alone, you get to choose from options such as airports, buildings, desert areas, homes, stadia, parks, streets, and open spaces, among others.
As an entertainment hub, Phoenix is home to many performing arts centers that meet the requirements of filmmakers. Downtown Phoenix is the place to be if you wish to explore this option. Besides, the city has dozens of museums, some of which date back to the mid-20th century. A classic example is the Phoenix Art Museum. Other popular spots in town include the Historic Heritage Square, Hole in the Rock, Wrigley Mansion, Japanese Friendship Garden, Tovrea Castle, and Mystery Castle.
As for the architecture in Phoenix, the city is home to a unique architectural landscape that started with the arrival of Frank Lloyd Wright in 1937. Thanks to The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture and its influence in attracting top players in the design space, Phoenix has benefited from brilliant works that continue to be on display in the city.
Special Requirements in Phoenix
Airports in Phoenix
The Phoenix Film Office coordinates filming in three airports in the city. These airports are:
Sky Harbor International Airport
Deer Valley Airport
Phoenix Goodyear Airport
In addition, the Director of Aviation Services and/or the Deputy Aviation Director issues written approval to film in any of these airports.
If you wish to film in any of them, you must notify the film office at least five working days ahead of your proposed film date. The Phoenix Film Office will work with you to secure the approval. You will be required to pay every staff member of the airport whose service is deemed required for your production a fee of $125/hour with a four-hour minimum. Moreover, filming on the tarmac or ramp means that you must provide a $5,000,000 insurance liability.
Phoenix Public Library
Filmmakers are welcome to use any of the 17 branches of the Phoenix Public Library in the city, but only after securing the required approval. First and foremost, the filmmaker must submit an intent to film/shooting application at least two weeks before the proposed date of filming. The minimum fee for filming in any branch is $1,500, and this includes the fee for staff that will be required for the shoot.
Filming is not allowed when the library is open to the public, therefore filmmakers need to firm up their filming schedule before production.
Phoenix Parks
There are two types of parks in Phoenix – Community Parks and Desert Parks – and each of these parks has unique filming requirements.
To film in a Community Park in Phoenix, you must check with the Phoenix Film Office on availability, duration, and rates for Recreation Coordinators. Community Parks are usually available year-round.
Filming in a Desert Park in Phoenix (e.g., Papago Park, South Mountain, etc.) is not allowed on Wednesdays. Moreover, Desert Parks may not be available for filming on weekends and holidays. A Park Ranger must be available for all filming activities in a Desert Park and the rate is $50 per hour with a 4-hour minimum. Filming at Camelback Mountain/Echo Canyon is prohibited.
Valley Metro
Filmmakers can shoot films on Valley Metro’s trains, buses, and vehicles in Phoenix after securing approval for such production. To obtain permission to film using Valley Metro’s property, a filmmaker must adhere to the following:
Complete the Scope of Work of the film production
Provide a Certificate of Insurance:
$1,000,000 liability per occurrence
$2,000,000 general aggregate
$1,000,000 auto liability
Workers’ compensation according to state laws
Name Valley Metro as an additional insured
Pay the $100 application fee
Complete the location agreement
After completing the scope of work, a Valley Metro representative will be in touch within two business days to further discuss the project requirements. If support personnel is required, the filmmaker will be notified accordingly. Moreover, the filmmaker will be provided with the fee schedule for the project. Student filmmakers who present evidence of enrollment in an accredited institution can be exempted from paying filming fees on Valley Metro property.
What Does it Cost to Film in Phoenix?
Filming in Phoenix comes with associated costs. After the permittee pays the film permit application fee of $100, the Phoenix Film Office will provide the filmmaker with a schedule of the expected costs of filming as soon as they review the Scope of Work. When city personnel or staff need to be involved in one way or the other for the production, the filmmaker bears financial responsibility for their service(s).
Additional Fees
You need to pay additional fees when filming in Phoenix, depending on your film shoot location, duration, and type of production. Besides the film permit and the standard fees for any city staff or additional equipment used in the film activity, filmmakers should also set aside a budget for revenue-producing facilities with standard use fees and separate contracts.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Phoenix?
Phoenix lies in the south-central part of Arizona known as the Valley of the Sun, halfway between Flagstaff to the north and Tucson to the southeast. It is surrounded by mountains and bordered to the east by Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa, and Chandler. Tonto National Forest is located northeast, while Glendale lies west. Access to Wickenburg, northwest of the city, is via the Phoenix-Wickenburg Highway.
Tempe
All requests for film permits from the City of Tempe Special Events Office must be submitted at least seven business days before the proposed date of filming. If a filmmaker applies later than the 7 days, a $100 late submission fee will be charged.
The requirements for the film permit are as follows: Online application on FilmApp A permit application fee of $50 Filming rate of $25 per day (rates may vary per location) A certificate of insurance that covers General liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate Auto liability of $1,000,000 Workers’ Compensation that aligns with Arizona’s Statutory Requirements Inclusion of the City of Tempe and its staff as additional insured A completed Hold Harmless Agreement.
Where production activities require the use of parks or drones, a filmmaker must contact the Special Events Office before submitting their application. Police requirements and rates for filming in Tempe are available here, while Fire Officers’ rate is $65 per hour per employee, excluding fees for inspection and setup. At the end of the project, the filmmaker will receive an invoice from the Special Events Office, and this will cover the services incurred by the City during the project.
Mesa
The Office of Public Information and Communication manages film permit issuance in the city of Mesa. Film production companies that require a film permit in Mesa must complete the film permit application at least 15 working days before the date of filming.
Even though no permit fee is charged, every filmmaker must abide by these requirements to obtain a permit for filming in the city: Provide insurance with the following minimum amounts: Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate Aquatics Liability of $3,000,000 Auto Liability of $1,000,000 Workers’ Compensation/Employers’ Liability of $1,000,000 per accident, $500,000 each disease-employee; $500,000 each disease-policy limit Aviation Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate Include the city as an additional insured Obtain permission from the private property owner Obtain permission for sidewalk/lane/street/alley closures or restrictions, if required Secure approval from Mesa Police Department Obtain the permit/license from the Mesa Fire Department for pyrotechnics Notify the neighborhood of the filming activity
To film in city parks in Mesa, a filmmaker must obtain prior approval from the park’s facility manager before applying for a film permit from the Office of Public Information and Communication.
Tonto National Forest
Tonto National Forest is open to filming activities; however, this is only after the production company has secured the permit for filming. All film applications must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of filming to the local Forest Service Office.
Supporting documents that must accompany the application are as follows: Certificate of Insurance and Endorsement Form General liability of $300,000 per occurrence Property damage liability of $25,000 per occurrence Death or injury liability of $100,000 per person, and $300,000 aggregate Area maps of the filming location Filming Notification Form or Operating Plan Estimated Fee Worksheet
The filmmaker will be notified about the required fees for filming, and these include Occupancy and Use fees, Cost Recovery fees, and other associated costs.
Wickenburg
Contact the Wickenburg Film Commission via email or phone to discuss your film project before submitting your application to film in Wickenburg. You can also arrange location scouting as part of your preparation for filming in the town of Wickenburg.
Outreach in Phoenix
The Outreach requirement in the city of Phoenix is what makes provision for film production companies to notify the house owners and owners of commercial property in the city about the proposed filming activity. Although no specific time is specified in the Phoenix filming guidelines, filmmakers ought to send out the notification early enough so that the nearby residents will be adequately prepared for the upcoming activity. In some cases, the consent of the members of the neighborhood may be required.
Community Management in Phoenix
Film producers in Phoenix put themselves on better footing whenever they create a good relationship with the community members during filming. They achieve this through community engagement, open channels of communication, and diligence to ensure that filming activities do not disturb the peace of the residents or workers in the vicinity of the production.
Conclusion
The beautiful and vibrant city of Phoenix welcomes outdoor recreation lovers, vacationers, entertainment aficionados, and filmmakers. Having been a long-coveted destination for production, the city ranks among the top places in the world for filming, and for good reason too. From its friendly weather almost all year-round to the tax incentives, and stellar locations that double for lots of places around the world, there are so many reasons to choose to film here.
That the Phoenix Film Office offers several services that make film permitting and the entire production exercise stress-free is another reason why this city in the Salt River Valley must be one of your next production locations. You will certainly feel welcomed by the people and look forward to more projects here with your cast and crew.