Filming for Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram are great ways for emerging filmmaker to demonstrate and hone their skills. Much of what you might want to film for these platforms won’t require filming permission, however there are somethings to bear in mind when creating content:

  • Is the content being made for commercial purposes? If you have been commissioned to create content and are being paid to create it, then you should be going through the same application process as any other commercial filmmaker. You still may not need permits or be charged a fee, but you should be aware of permit requirements and footage rights, particularly at locations that are privately owned or managed. You can find out more information here: https://filmlondon.org.uk/filming-in-london/plan-your-shoot/permission
  • Are you filming people? People have a right to privacy, even in public places, so if you are filming someone without their consent, the person may well be able to get your video removed from the platform. Visit our pages on filming people for some dos and don’ts: https://filmlondon.org.uk/resource/filming-people Most social media platforms also have advice on filming people.
  • Are you featuring logos or trademark? Generally it won’t be an issue if the logo or trademark is seen incidentally (e.g. if you’re filming on a street and high street brand names and logos are in the background) however if you are filming for commercial purposes and a logo or trademark is heavily featured, then you may need permission from the licence holder. There is a section on trademarks and logos on our Filming Buildings pages: https://filmlondon.org.uk/resource/filming-buildings
  • Are you going to be causing an obstruction or placing equipment on the highway? If you are filming without permits, you still need to ensure that you are not causing an obstruction. On the public highway, you have a right to film, but you do not have the right to cause an obstruction to vehicles, pedestrians or any other road user. Ensure that you have left enough space on the pathway for people, wheelchairs, buggies etc to pass you easily (usually at least 1.2m) and ensure you are not causing a distraction to drivers or other road users. In some areas of London, you will need a permit if you plan to use a tripod. Find out more about filming on the street, getting permission to obstruct the street and tripod permits here: https://filmlondon.org.uk/resource/advice-for-small-crews
  • Is what you are doing likely to cause alarm? If what you intend to film is likely to cause alarm, then you need to consider where you are filming and if it is viewable to passers-by. If you think it is possible that people might be concerned about what you’re filming, then you should discuss this with the relevant borough film service and / or the Met Police Service Film Unit before you shoot. Bear in mind that passers-by might not be aware that what you’re filming is staged especially if you’re filming with a mobile phone. If you intend to use any kind of weapon (replica or otherwise), film any scene of violence or recreation of a crime, or use any kind of replica emergency services uniform you MUST obtain permission from the Met Police Service Film Unit well in advance of filming. Find out more about working with the police here: https://filmlondon.org.uk/resource/working-with-the-police
  • Are you going to be using a drone? Regardless of whether you are filming for commercial purposes, you need to follow the aerial filming guidance. You can find out more here: https://filmlondon.org.uk/resource/aerial-filming

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Platforms

Some incredible AI tools have been developed to help filmmakers and photographers generate and manipulate images and footage.

It is important when using these tools that you are aware of what happens to these images, particularly if you are uploading images or footage to third party platforms. AI Platforms often re-utilise content for dataset training, or permit the content to be redistributed to or modified by third parties, meaning images or footage can be replicated and reused without the permission of the location owner. Ensure you have read the terms and conditions of the site that you are using and if (as many AI platforms allow) your images / footage is retained by the platform and shared with third parties, make sure that you have the full rights to what you are uploading.

If you have been given permission to film at a location, it is unlikely that this permission extends to you sharing this footage with anyone who is not affiliated with the production, so ensure that if you do upload the footage to an AI Platform, the footage is not accessible to anyone else. AI Platforms which share footage can pose a significant risk to the commercial viability, intellectual property rights and reputation of filming locations and venues.

If you wish to use a platform that will then share your footage, ensure that you have permission to do so as part of your filming agreement with the location.

Popular AI Platforms falling under this restriction may include, but are not limited to:

  • Online generative AI tools such as Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Chat GPT and DALL-E
  • Professional editing tools such as Luma AI, Flawless AI, Runway, Metaphysic, Acrobat AI Assistant and Adobe Premiere Pro, unless the Production has disabled or otherwise prevented the software from sharing the uploaded content with third parties or using it for AI algorithm training

This restriction is imposed to protect the commercial interests of locations and venues, ensuring that their proprietary assets and brand are not misused or distributed without permission. Requests to the location for authorisation should detail the purpose for which the AI Platform will be used.

Scanning or Filming Locations for Digital Recreation

In recent years, there have been huge developments in the technology used in Virtual Production (VP), making it easier to both create new worlds and recreate real locations in studios.

If you intend to scan or film a location with the intent to recreate it digitally, you will need express permission from the location. This includes any form of virtual production where recognisable physical attributes of the location are reproduced for digital settings and backdrops. Digitised locations may also appear in virtual reality environments, immersive tours digital backdrops, 3D models, augmented reality applications and interactive digital map.

A variety of commercially available tools and technologies may be used to scan and recreate locations digitally. These include but are not limited to:

  • Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) tools such as Leica BLK360 and Faro Focus
  • Photogrammetry software such as Agisoft Metashape and RealityCapture
  • Virtual production platforms such as Unreal Engine and Unity
  • 360-degree cameras used for immersive imaging, virtual tours and digital backdrops
  • Volumetric capture systems such as Metastage, 4DR, and Dimension Studio

(It is important to note that restrictions do not related to the tools or equipment, but rather the purpose for which they are used).

Restrictions on digital recreation apply to locations and situations under which permission would be required to film. Including:

  • at private locations
  • any interiors
  • filming on privately owned / controlled land, including some pedestrian areas, such as Trafalgar Square and the South Bank
  • filming in parks, market places, housing estates

There are exceptions to re-creation of areas of public highway or locations viewable from the public highway, where permission may not be required, although it is important to consider:

Code of Practice:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools and Platforms

The Production should ensure that they have express permission from the location prior to using AI platforms or tools for processing and sharing footage of the location. This includes uploading footage to generative AI platforms or AI-enabled photo editing software, unless the production can ensure that the platform / software does not retain, re-utilise or allow the content to be redistributed or modified by third parties. Visit: www.filmlondon/AI for more information.

Digital Recreation of Locations

The Production should ensure they have express permission from the location prior to recreating a location digitally, including for the use of virtual backdrops and virtual realities.

Permission should be sought at the time of capturing the footage. Visit www.filmlondon/digital or more information.