City Guide Filming in Waterbury, CT
Production Permit Fees
- Permit Fee: $500 per day
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability: $1 million
- Worker’s Compensation: For the entire production crew, as per state requirements in Connecticut
Additional Permits
- Police & Firefighter Monitoring: To be organized by the film production
Discounts
About Waterbury
Long past the relevance of its nickname, the "Brass City," Waterbury is today economically diversified and has amassed popular culture references in media, both for its past and present. The city also remains closely associated with the clock and watch manufacturing industry, with popular brands like Timex earning recognition internationally. Sitting on the Naugatuck River in New Haven County, the city is the second largest populated and the fifth largest in the state.
It has been featured repeatedly in works like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, which is set in the city during the thirties; similarly, the "Waterbury Open" golf tournament, as shown in Happy Gilmore, a 1996 movie, is a direct reference to the city, and Give Me the Stars, a romance novel written in 1945, by Gladys Taber, is set in the manufacturing plant of Chase Brass and Copper Company, based in Waterbury, during the Second World War.
On top of this, Hollywood production crews have also had an eye for the city, featuring it multiple times in some of their best work. Some of the most iconic titles featuring the city include Friday the 13th Part 2, The War, Series 7: The Contenders, All Good Things, Sensory Perception, The Sadist, Disconnected, Psychos in Love, Wanda, Credible, Stanley & Iris, and Twenty Questions. This shows that the city not only has a ton of filming venues, all suited for different scripts, offering a rich and unique atmosphere that inspires big-time productions.
You, too, might be intrigued by the prospect of filming in the city and capturing its magic in your next project, and about time. You briefly reviewed the general filming guidelines in Waterbury to get an idea of what to expect. Not to worry about finding the best locations for filming in Waterbury or nearby either, because Giggster has you covered!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Waterbury?
The filming guidelines in Waterbury are clear on this — you need a general filming permit issued by the local authorities to film in public spaces. You'll have to specify the locations you plan on occupying for your film production on your permit application. You will have to share the maps of areas you need access to.
If you're filming on private property and don't require any assistance from the local departments or access to any public space or right of way, you need written permission from the property owner. Plus, on top of general filming permits, other permissions may also be necessary if any elements are part of your film production efforts:
Pyrotechnics Permit
for the use of explosions, gunfire, and similar fire-based special effects, you’ll need a special permit from the local fire department, and you’ll also have to hire fire safety officers to operate the said special effects safely.
Animal Control Permit
for the involvement of dogs, horses, and other such animals that can cause bodily harm or property damage, you’ll need a special animal control permit.
Aircraft Usage Permit
for the use of aircraft or helicopters in the film production, you’ll need to first arrange for $5 million in liability insurance, apply for a permit with the local aviation department, and also conduct a resident survey if you plan on flying low over a residential area.
Drone Filming Permit
to use a camera drone for your film, you’ll have to get $2 million in liability insurance, apply for a special permit, ensure privacy protection for all locals, and comply with the FAA regulations.
Permit Management in Waterbury
The Office of Film, Television & Digital Media
All general filming permits in Connecticut are issued by the local authorities, and the same also goes for film permits in Waterbury. The best approach, however, is to first reach out to The Office of Film, Television & Digital Media to initiate the film permitting process and for assistance with your film production efforts. The office not only issues permits for filming on state-owned properties, including buildings, parks, airports, highways, roads, railway stations, and railroads. You can reach out to the staff at the film office either via phone (860-500-2318) or email (mark.dixon@ct.gov).
The state-level film permit application is available online; you can download it, fill it out, and submit it online. If you plan on applying for a local permit, you can still contact the state film office for assistance. The City Planning Department in Waterbury is the authority for issuing general filming permits in the city, and you can reach out to them at 26 Kendrick Avenue, Waterbury, Connecticut, 06702. You can also call them at 203 574-6818.
Besides the general filming permit, however, you will also have to acquire additional authorizations and permissions for special effects and more. You'll also have to contact the local departments, especially the police, fire, transport, and parks and recreation departments, for assistance wherever needed. While communicating with these departments, you can still count on the support of The Office of Film, Television & Digital Media — Connecticut in this matter.
What Insurance Do I Need in Waterbury?
Insurance requirements for film productions are not fixed and are based on the risk associated with the script. This is not a very specific metric because the underlying principle is simple — the higher the chance of things getting out of hand (and the extent of the possible damage that may result if they do) will affect the insurance coverage requirements. This coverage is needed to ensure that any mishap or accident resulting from the film production activities can be compensated for by the film production. The city and its officials can't be required to pay for the reimbursement of any damages that result from your film production, so you better be prepared to pay.
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 Waterbury?
Moving beyond our discussion on the filming laws in Waterbury, let us look at what the city has to offer. Waterbury is dotted with sites and filming venues of historic and cultural importance, and you can film at these public locations. For instance, Union Station is over a century old. The Holy Land USA theme park earned acclaim and awe from tourists in the 70s. The Municipal Stadium dates back to 1930, and the Apothecary Building is even older, hailing from the end of the 19th century.
You can also check out some local monuments and see if they fit your script’s setting, such as the Carrie Welton Fountain and the associated statue, the Soldiers' Monument, which serves as a tribute to the men who fought in the American Civil War, and a statue of Ben Franklin, dating back to 1921. There is also a Christopher Columbus statue, erected in 1984, and the Harrub Pilgrim Memorial.
Other landmarks include the Elton Hotel, Cass Gilbert National Register District, buildings of the Waterbury Clock Company, Chief Two Moon Merida’s Laboratory (associated with his work on herbal concoctions and medicine), and the Mattatuck Museum Arts and History Center.
But you can also check out any number of private production studios, recording studios, event spaces, restaurants, bars, and more. One of the most prominent private filming venues is the Colonial-style house titled "Your next location!" on Giggster. This house can accommodate a production crew of up to 60, is spread over 3516 square feet, and has been carefully designed to give an open feeling even though it appears small from the front. You cannot resist the charm and wow factor of this place, owing to its setup and all the amenities offered, including WiFi, a dedicated makeup and hairstyling area, high ceilings, an outdoor BBQ grill, a tropical-style garden, playground area, bar, library, piano, and an inground kidney-shaped pool. Apart from the parking space for three, there is also an expansive parking lot nearby to host more cars.
This may all seem a bit overwhelming, but not to worry, as you don’t have to spend precious time and resources scouting for suitable locations in the area. Giggster will connect you with our best picks, and you’ll find what you want.
Special Requirements in Waterbury
Filming In Waterbury Public School District
To film in the premises of the Waterbury Public School District, you’ll have to get in touch with the school board or administration and secure their approval for your request:
Send your request at least a month in advance so that they can schedule your shoot.
Discuss all anticipated filming activities you plan on performing on the school premises.
Present all required insurance documents, i.e., $1 million in general liability, $1 million in automobile liability, and worker’s compensation insurance.
Schedule your film production activities with the school administration.
After approval from the school, complete the general film permit issuance process.
Filming In Local Waterbury Parks
You can also film your project, or parts of it, in the neighborhood parks of the city, such as Fulton Park, City Mills Park, and Washington Park, all of which are managed by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. To seek approval, you must:
List the park you wish to film in as the film venue for your permit application.
Reach out to the Parks and Recreation Department and prepare a map for your filming needs as per their directions.
You may have to hire a park official to monitor the shoot.
Once you get approval and start filming, remember that all park regulations and rules will apply during the film production.
Filming In/Near Local Monuments In Waterbury
Waterbury is dotted with monuments and sites of historic and cultural importance, and you can film there too, but not without proper approval:
Landmarks and monuments are either managed by private organizations or the local government.
You can get the information via The Office of Film, Television & Digital Media.
Reach out to management with your proposal.
Request exclusive access to the site if needed.
Arrange for the required $1 million general liability insurance.
Get your film permit from the city.
Start filming after approval from all concerned parties.
Filming In Nearby State Parks
To film in any state-owned property, including state parks like Larkin State Bridle Trail, Whittemore Glen State Park Scenic Reserve, and Black Rock State Park, you’ll have to fill out the film permit application for The Office of Film, Television & Digital Media – Connecticut, submit it to them, and leave the rest to then. The film office will liaise with the park’s administration and arrange for your scheduled film activities there. All park rules and fees will still apply.
Seeking Extension For The Normal Filming Hours
Normally, you’re allowed to film Monday through Friday in residential spaces from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, but you can get an extension if you conduct a resident survey and get an overall positive response.
What Does it Cost to Film in Waterbury?
Apart from the site rentals and filming expenses, some costs and fees are associated with your production efforts as per the filming regulations in Waterbury. These include the fee for permit issuance and any city services rendered during the film production. The permit fees are charged based on the number of days required for filming in the city and are payable to the City Planning Department in Waterbury:
Additional Fees
You’ll also have to pay local departments for any services they offer during the film production. You will have to liaise with the regional departments on your own, but you can request assistance from the film office too. The following services are subject to hourly payments:
Other expenses will be quoted on a case-by-case basis by the relevant department: Police department equipment rental Parking signs set up for traffic control Closing access to streets or right of way Temporary water connection setup Temporary power source setup
Geographical Jurisdiction of Waterbury?
Now that we’ve gone through the filming laws in Waterbury let’s see to what geographical extent these regulations apply. To the north, Waterbury is bound by the city of Watertown and the Mattatown State Forest; to the east is Wolcott; Prospect and Naugatuck mark the southern boundary; Middlebury and Woodbury are to the west of the city.
Outreach in Waterbury
You must inform affected residents if you're filming in or near a residential neighborhood about your upcoming film production activities. You must send the notification at least two business days in advance and list your contact information, assorted details, and information regarding your film production activities in the letter. A copy of the letter must also be submitted to the local permit issuing authority. You don't have to conduct a resident survey for your film shoot, but if you plan on securing some special concessions like time extensions, you'll need to do one.
Community Management in Waterbury
Waterbury is a diverse and warm community known for its hospitality and acceptance, especially for filmmakers, reflected through the relaxed and easy-to-follow filming regulations in Waterbury. However, some areas have safety issues, so be vigilant. Overall, the people are cooperative and kind, so you don’t have much to worry about.
Conclusion
Waterbury may not be the first name that pops to mind when thinking of suitable filming destinations in the USA with light regulations, but it does stand the test and has been tried and tested numerous times. The city has had screentime on NBC's Today Show on several occasions, once in 1955, when the show broadcasted the city-wide festivities over the international premiere of "The Girl Rush," a locally produced film. The city also claimed screentime in "The War," a historical documentary series centered on residents' experiences during WWII. Friday the 13th Part 2, which failed to claim the same level of acclaim and excellence as the original, remains a cult classic and one of the fan-favorites in the series, and it was also partly based in the city.
We have also seen that the filming guidelines in Waterbury are not all that harsh. With the assistance of The Office of Film, Television & Digital Media – Connecticut, you should not have much trouble getting all the necessary permits. The local government welcomes filmmakers, does not put up many restrictions, and offers assistance with production efforts, granted, for a price, but it is still appreciable. One thing to note is that the film permit is expensive, so build this into your budget.
You also have access to dozens of cultural and landmarks throughout the city, and then there are private venues for filming in peace and serenity. In short, the city offers all that production crews need to get the best results.