City Guide Filming in Tribeca, NY
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Fee: $300
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability:
- Worker’s Compensation
- Automobile Liability
- Aviation Insurance Coverage:
- UAS/Drone Insurance
- Product Liability Insurance
- Liquor Liability Insurance:
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Tribeca
New York has generally been warm and receptive to film productions throughout the years – the city has had a very bold romance with cinema and its neighborhoods have appeared repeatedly on the big screen. Tribeca, also given as TriBeCa, is no exception. This New York City neighborhood is part of the Lower Manhattan area, and its name is short for "Triangle Below Canal Street" which designates its geographic location in the area. This part of New York has seen a lot of transformations over the years – what started as a farmland community soon transitioned into a residential space and then into a commercial/mercantile zone, finally bursting out of the cocoon as a neighborhood catering to celebrities, artists, entrepreneurs, models, and other inspirational figures. The neighborhood has also been pivotal in helping the local community live past the tragedy of 9/11 through the Tribeca Festival – a local event aimed at reinvigorating the neighborhood and affected community.
The neighborhood has also had its fair share of screentime on Hollywood, with productions like Enchanted, Side Effects, I Am Legend, Deep Impact, Independence Day, Ghost, Limitless, Revolutionary Road, Tiny Furniture, New York Stories, Taxi, Hitch, News from Home, Picture Perfect, Basket Case, and Love with the Proper Stranger. Apart from this, it has also earned prominent mentions on Wizards of Waverly Place (remember Tribeca Prep?), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (a fictional Tribeca High School is featured in an episode titled Granting Immunity), and Witches of East End (the third book features a titanic character named Asgard who resides in Tribeca). Now you're probably thinking of going straight to the neighborhood, getting your permit, and starting your film project, but hold on a sec – let's do a quick review of the filming guidelines in Tribeca first so you know what to expect.
Also, when you do come to the area, you don’t have to roam around to find the perfect filming venues. Instead, you can browse through our top picks for filming destinations in Tribeca on Giggster and make your choice from the options given there!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Tribeca?
Before you can film in public in Tribeca, you must first get a filming permit from the NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting, unless you’re not required to get one. Usually, all film productions operating on public property or seeking assistance from local government departments require filming permits before they can continue. This, of course, only applies to commercial film productions of a certain crew size and not to solo vloggers or YouTubers. Also, if you’re filming exclusively on private property, you don’t have to get a permit from the city, but you will need express permission (best to get it in written form) from the property owner/manager. Lastly, the filming guidelines in Tribeca dictate that apart from general filming permits, you also need to get some additional permissions/permits in special cases:
Pyrotechnics Permit
for using fire-based special effects such as fireworks, explosions, gunfire, and more under the supervision and guidance of the local fire safety department.
Animal Control Permit
for using animals such as horses, cats, dogs, and so on in your film project under the guidance and supervision of the local animal control department.
Aircraft Usage Permit
for using helicopters/aircraft in film production as per the rules of the local aviation authorities; additional insurance requirements will also apply.
Drone Filming Permit
for using camera drones for your project as per the FAA regulations for drone usage; additional insurance coverage will also be needed.
Student/Non-Commercial Filming Permit
these permits are the same as general filming permits but are free of cost, only for students and non-commercial filming crews though.
Permit Management in Tribeca
NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting
All filming permits in Tribeca are issued by the NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting which is an umbrella organization for all filmmaking activities in and around New York City. The film office not only issues filming permits to filmmakers but also offers a ton of online resources that any newcomer would benefit from, liaises with the local police and fire departments to ensure complete on-set safety, and provides a supportive role to film production crew as and when needed. You can visit them in person at 1697 Broadway, Suite 602, New York, NY 10019, but this won’t be necessary in most cases as you can get all the help you need online and even file your application for a filming permit via their permit application portal – all you have to do is to log onto the site, select “online application,” fill in all the required details and then hit submit.
Filming permit applicants must also provide proof of carrying the required levels of insurance policies for their applications to be processed and approved. Once you get your permit, you will have access (not necessarily exclusive) to the public areas you wish to film on (and have mentioned on the permit application). But some restrictions will also apply. For instance, student filming permits are only valid for filming up-till 11:00 at night. General filming permits are only valid till midnight in commercial areas for film productions requiring police assistance on the site – if the latter is not the case, then this limitation does not apply. However, when filming indoors, no time limitations apply. Also, as we mentioned earlier, you don't have to get a permit from the city if you're filming exclusively on private property and don't require any assistance from the local authorities.
What Insurance Do I Need in Tribeca?
The only hard and fast condition for filming in the Tribeca neighborhood is production insurance. Production insurance requirements in Tribeca have been set in place to ensure that in the case of an accident, mishap, or equipment malfunction, the production will be able to compensate the victims, whether they be part of the production crew, residents, city officials, or otherwise. Your production does not have to be ultra-complex for these requirements to apply. As long as you have a sizeable crew and are filming in public or somewhere where the locals or their properties may be impacted in the event of an accident, adequate insurance coverage will be required. All film productions applying for a permit from the NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting must provide the required insurance documentation as proof of the said coverage. If your film involves risky stunts, car chases, dangerous action scenes, or other elements that pose serious threats to the safety of all involved if things go south, the limits for insurance coverage will be expanded further. There are no fixed insurance requirements that fit all cases, but for most productions, the following will suffice:
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 Tribeca?
Now that you've learned most of what you need to get a permit in the city, let’s put our discussion on the filming laws in Tribeca on the side for a while and explore some of the venue options that filmmakers have in town. And you’d be surprised by how many options you do have in this small part of town; to start, there is the Photo & Video Studio For Rental, which is a purpose-built facility offering all the equipment, lighting, and contrast you’ll need for the perfect shot. You also have venues like the Tribeca Loft and the Artist’s Loft Studio, both of which are spacious and colorful interiors flooded with natural light. The Unique Studio Gallery In Tribeca is another highly sought-after venue due to its ample natural lighting and beautiful panoramic displays of the city.
Other purpose-built studios and venues include the Tribeca Space For Photo Shoot, Film & Production, NY Furniture Showroom, and Large Loft-Like Venue In Tribeca – all of these are brightly lit, feature perfect contrast, and are fully furnished (ready to film). If you're looking for something more vibrant and creative, then the Colorful Penthouse Duplex In Tribeca won’t fail to impress you – it is beyond luxury, plus the colorful appearance makes all the difference. Another equally impressive, although smaller, themed location is the Tribeca Loft And Demo Kitchen, which will be perfect for filming your food prep videos; if you wish to leap into the past while you're at it, why not try the Vintage 70's Office Space? Coming back to the present, the Contemporary NY Loft Apartment is another modern, sleek, and spacious venue for filming your next project.
But maybe you want a residential space that looks homely but not so natural, or a bit darker. In that case, the Boho, Gothic Loft Apartment will be perfect for you with its unique dark theme and setting. In contrast, the Contemporary Tribeca Apartment is well-lit, feels homely, delivers a natural feeling to the viewers, and also boasts a wide view of the city. Another dark and horror-style venue is the Unique Gothic Apt In NYC with a slightly different décor and setting as compared to the one mentioned earlier. But if that's not what you're looking for, then you can't go wrong with the Upscale NY Duplex Penthouse or the Upscale NYC Townhouse, both of which are luxurious interiors with premium furnishing and fixtures. If you’re in town and have no idea where to look for premium filming venues that suit your needs, you can look up our listings on Giggster and pick the ones that fit your needs the best!
Special Requirements in Tribeca
Filming At Local School Districts
You can access the premises of local schools such as The Waldo School, P.S. 234 Independence School, and Pinnacle School, but for that:
You'll first have to reach out to the school board with your proposal to film on the premises
Then you’ll have to set a schedule for your project with the school administration as per the availability of the school premises
Following this, both parties must agree on the rent for the premises
Insurance coverage for general liability ($1 million) and worker’s compensation will also be needed
Lastly, you can get an optional permit from the city before you start filming.
Filming At Neighborhood Parks
To film at neighborhood parks, such as Tribeca Park, Duane Park, and Albert Capsouto Park, you’ll only have to mention so on the permit application and get in touch with the local parks department to secure exclusive access to the premises. You might also have to hire some officials from the local parks departments for production monitoring.
Filming At The Riverbank State Park
The nearby Riverbank State Park spreads over 28 acres in total and hugs the Hudson River; it is managed by the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department. You’ll need only the approval of the park management to film here but do keep in mind that as a state park, this is a conservation area, so all park rules must be respected throughout, and no harm must befall the flora and fauna in the area. The park will also require you to hire someone from the staff for production monitoring, and you’ll also have to pay entry and parking fees.
Filming With Camera Drones
Filming with camera drones is allowed but only if you get a special permit for it, submit additional insurance documents, ensure complete protection of the residents’ privacy, and agree to comply with the FAA regulations concerning the use of drones and UAS equipment.
What Does it Cost to Film in Tribeca?
The NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting will only charge you for the film permit issuance, and no additional fees will be charged beyond that. This single deposit will not only allow you to film in public as per the filming regulations in Tribeca but also let you seek assistance from local authorities without any additional payments needed (unless the said services are outside the coverage of the film permit fee, in that case, you'll have to pay an additional fee). The film permit application fee is as follows: $300 is the permit fee If you wish to get an optional permit (i.e., if one isn't needed in your case but you want to get one anyways), then nothing is charged as a permit fee For student filmmakers and non-commercial filmmakers, no film permit fees are applicable This $300 permit will also get you assistance from the local departments, such as: Safe access to public spaces for filming Assistance from the police Parking privileges for your production crew.
Additional Fees
There might be fees for their services if you need assistance or supervision from local authorities or personnel during filming. To obtain specific and up-to-date information regarding filming fees and permits in Tribeca or any other area in New York City, it's advisable to get in touch with the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) or the relevant film office.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Tribeca?
The filming laws in Tribeca that we've discussed so far are only applicable to the geographical extent of the neighborhood itself and not beyond it. Not to worry though, the Tribeca neighborhood has very well-defined boundaries, as reflected in the name – "Triangle Below Canal Street," although in all fairness, the area is more of a quadrilateral than a triangle in Lower Manhattan. It is bounded to the north by Canal Street, to the east by West Street, to the west by Broadway, and finally, to the south by Chambers Street.
Outreach in Tribeca
All film productions planning to film in public, for instance, near a residential space, need to notify the possible affectees at least two full days in advance. The filming laws in Tribeca necessitate that filmmakers first share a draft of the notification letter with the NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting before posting it to the affected residents and business owners. The letter must include your contact information, details of the places you’ll be filming at, your filming schedule, details of how your filming activities may affect the locals, information about any alternative routes if you’re blocking a right of way for your project, contact information of concerned local authorities, and so on. Once you get the green signal from the film office, post the letters to the neighborhood residents and business owners at least 48 hours before your filming activities are due.
Community Management in Tribeca
Tribeca is generally considered one of the best places to live in New York and we’ve also seen that the filming regulations in Tribeca are also on your side. Generally, the locals emanate a positive energy and are very welcoming. Overall, the neighborhood has a clean and serene atmosphere with lots of ultra-luxury buildings touching the sky, making it a luxurious haven for most in the city. People usually rent homes/apartments here, and overall, the community is used to the quaint atmosphere that dominates Tribeca, which means that they won’t respond too well to excessive noise or invasion of privacy (with camera drones), but if you stick by the book, you’ll love working here.
Conclusion
High-rise luxury apartment buildings, an abundance of purpose-built filming and recording studios, indoor and outdoor venues for rent (for film production), premium penthouses and lofts, and a generally calm and serene atmosphere are some of the major plus points for Tribeca as a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan. All of these factors and more have helped the neighborhood attract super-hit films like I Am Legend, Deep Impact, Independence Day, and Limitless – in short, Tribeca is ideal for filmmakers owing to its vibrant atmosphere, variety of filming venues, and easy-to-follow filming guidelines in Tribeca. Plus, we’ve seen that the NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting is as cooperative as you'd want it to be in the matter. You can count on the film office to help you with your film permit acquisition, providing assistance with the production efforts, aiding you via liaison with the local authorities, and offering all the resources you may need to get started. And lastly, you don't have to explore every nook and corner of the neighborhood to find premium and fairly priced filming venues for rent that suit your needs. You've got Giggster – we list the top venues in the area, nearby, and beyond, allowing you to make your booking with just a click or tap. Try it now!