film crews need permission ?

[tali122]

there are a lot of documentary programmes with film crews entering houses- do the film crews need permission from the occupier to film - and is it in writing with disclaimers?, as i never see a occupier say " sorry not letting you film in my house" and none of them appear surprised at the cameras and lights on their doorstep - or is it all pre- edited to give a "has it happens" documentary feel?

[Gef]

All pre-planned and, effectively, fake.

[jno]

note how many of them are filmed from the inside as they come in - cameras are already there. Yes, film crews (and anyone else except home secretaries) need permission to enter.

[brachiopod]

I think you answered your own question there, tali122. You "never see a (sic) occupier say .. 'not letting you film in my house' "

That's because it wouldn't make good television. Each programme from Antiques Roadshow to Wife Swap has a basic aim. Anything that is recorded, but doesn't satisfy that aim will not be broadcast.

I don't know what specific programme you are referring to, but, (assuming it's not 'live'), if the person says 'no', then filming stops and they don't bother broadcasting it.

You may know of a programme called 'This Is Your Life' (not sure if it's still on these days) where some 'celeb' is confronted with their past in the form of a big re-union with everyone from their primary school teacher to the (now well-known) actor they once shared a stage with in pantomime in Eastbourne. Well, some 'subjects' have famously declined to take part, which means the programme is never shown. Why broadcast a 'failure'?

Similarly, with a programme like 'Wife Swap', which I mentioned earlier, they will probably film a dozen or more 'swaps' and pick out the six best ones that satisfy their aims (ie arguments, aggro, swearing etc.)

The old adage that 'just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen' still holds true.

[brachiopod]

I missed the point of this question - didn't I really?

No, you don't have to let anyone into your house, (with a few notable exceptions - usually relating to one or more of the following words/phrases 'court order', 'warrant' 'execution', or 'reasonable suspicion' and 'crime in progress'.)

Film crews are certainly not one of them - and if memory serves me right, it is still legal to shoot 'Fly-on-the-Wall' documentary makers and Sun reporters on a Sunday if there's an 'R' in the month you're within 5 yards of a dwelling place.

 

(One to many ciders and a thousand miles from home.)

[londondave]

I gather you are talkin about crime type programmes and Bailiffs. Well you don't have to let the crew in and you can request that your face is blurred. I have seen a few where the crew waited outside.

[Dom Tuk]

And from what i saw in yesterdays Dispatches programme on Channel 4 even the bloke who shakes Blairs hands in a crowded street is fake. he is not a bystander but a plant. talking of plants.....see Derren Brown lately??. How many times do you think he records a situation where he guesses .....lets say.... bystanders mother in laws date of birth??. he records it once...and thats because the bystander is fake......or else derren brown would have to record 365 such takes to get one right.