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Our office is committed to good service. We've developed a network of troubleshooters and resources from around our county. We coordinate city, county, state and some federal film permits.
The St. Petersburg-Clearwater-Tampa area is a regional production center, the third largest in the state. We have a seamless relationship with the Tampa Bay Film Commission. If we can't find your location needs here, we'll refer you to the place in Florida where you can find it.
Locations and Production Resources
For a custom locations e-file and/or production guide, call us at 727-464-7241 or e-mail us. Several on-line sites have crew listings.
Permits and Notices
Most film permits are free, with a few exceptions: high-security locations or those with restrictions (e.g., airport, landfill, historic venues). Cities and the county must be reimbursed if they incur overtime, or other extraordinary costs, when assisting a production.
Film applications should be submitted for any production, regardless of size and location.
Film Permits: The film commission facilitates film applications for nearly all cities and county departments in Pinellas County. The client production company submits its application. Then,the film commission contacts the governing entity for approval, rejection, or an alternative. Permits are then sent to the client production with copies to all affected city, county and state departments.
No permits are required if a production is entirely situated on private property, is contained within the building or home, and does not impede traffic or the public.
Film Notices: When no governmental agency has jurisdiction to authorize filming in a particular area (e.g., open water or unrestricted air space), or if a production is very low impact (e.g., a small photography project), a film notice may be issued by the film commission. This advisory notifies departments of the film crew's activity on a "need to know" or "want to know" basis.
Pinellas County Film Permit Application
News media are not required to get film permits or notices.
Insurance
Standard liability insurance coverage for location filming is $1 million, with a certificate of insurance made out to the Pinellas BCC, and/or any city used as a location. A higher level of coverage will be required for large productions or those involving pyrotechnics and stunt work. The final decision to require insurance coverage is made by the respective agency or city's risk management department.
Security
Our film commission can help coordinate hiring off-duty police officers, along with marine, environmental, helicopter and other special operations personnel you may need. Police and sheriff officers must be paid at their department rate; most have a four-hour minimum charge. Our officers are reliable and experienced in film/video production.
Preliminary Location Scouting
Tell us your location requirements. Let us put together images for your review. Or even better, scout it yourself. We'll help arrange a customized scouting fam trip.
We maintain a library of location photo files available by email or Reel Scout. Call us at 727-464-7241 or e-mail us and we will take care of your needs.
Governor's Office of Film and Entertainment (State Film Commission)
The Florida state film commissioner Lucia Fishburne and staff may be reached by e-mail at film1@myflorida.com.
Florida opened the first full-time, full-service state office in Los Angeles more than 13 years ago. Contact LA Liaison Susan Simms for location requests, crew lists, maps and production guides. With one call, she can reach every film office within the state. She may be reached by e-mail at filmflorida@earthlink.net or phone 818-508-7772.
Sales Tax Exemptions and Incentives
Florida has an entertainment incentive program, and grants sales tax exemptions to production companies for many costs incurred in doing business. The production company must apply to the Department of Revenue for the exemption certificate. Contact the Governor's Office of Film and Entertainment for an application 877-FLA-FILM (877-352-3456). Download information and an application here.
Child Actors
Florida has strict child labor regulations. Producers must have their permits in hand prior to filming. However, the child labor officials can usually provide permits in one day.
Crews & Facilities
Several on-line production sites include regional and state crew listings. Contact us for up-to-date support services information, 727-464-7241 or e-mail us.
The complete state production guide is available, as well, at www.filmflorida.com.
Accommodations
For advice on hotel accommodations near your locations, contact the film commission. We can guide you based upon convenience and cost. For a hard copy of the Visitors Guide, call us at 727-464-7241 or e-mail us, and we will ship it immediately.
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