The Time To Comment Is NOW! The Deadline Is Thursday, Dec 13!

This Thursday December 13 is the deadline for public comment on the most recent version of camera regulations proposed by the Mayor’s Office of Film. Thursday at 10am is also the public hearing, where you can testify into the public record. We hear the time limit is 3-5 minutes. You can contact MOFTB to reserve a spot, or just show up before 10am and sign up.

Picture New York is concerned about the needlessly opaque language in the new regulations, and even more concerned about what will happen when this all shakes out on the street. MOFTB bases need for a permit on the concept of obstruction but
does not make clear in the actual rules that the mere presence of a filmmaker or photographer, even with a tripod, does not constitute an ‘obstruction.’

Perhaps you noted the recent ruling about someone standing on the sidewalk who was arrested. New York State’s highest court threw out the conviction but it took a few years to get through the courts. We’d like to avoid this kind of situation.