Production Legal Guide by Jurisdiction
Printable reference for permits, child labor rules, drone/aerial filming, insurance, unions/guilds, and incentives. Educational only — verify locally.
Replace placeholders with verified statutes, agency guidance, and film office rules. Keep an internal change log and a visible “last updated” date.
Comparison Matrix (Illustrative)
| Jurisdiction | Permitting Authority | Child Labor | Drone/Aerial | Insurance (GL) | Union Presence | Incentives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California (US) | City/County film offices (e.g., FilmLA) | Work permits; studio teacher; hour limits | FAA Part 107 + local rules | $1–2M typical | High | Tax credit (competitive) |
| New York City (US) | Mayor’s Office (MOME) | Child performer permits; education reqs | FAA + city restrictions | $1–5M; City as additional insured | High | State/City credits |
| Ontario (CA) | Municipal film offices | Child performer guidelines | Transport Canada + municipal rules | CAD $2–5M typical | Moderate | Provincial + federal credits |
| United Kingdom | Local councils (e.g., Film London) | Child performance licenses | CAA authorisations | £5–10M public liability | Moderate | AV Expenditure Credit |
Matrix is an orientation aid. Replace with authoritative, current figures and links on your site.
California (Statewide, US)
Region: US – Union presence: High – Incentives: Yes – Updated: [YYYY‑MM‑DD]
Permits
Child Labor
Drone
Insurance
Unions
Incentives
Permits & Authorities
Authority
Varies by city/county (e.g., FilmLA, SF Film Office)
Turnaround
~3–5 business days typical; rush options vary
Street/Traffic
Traffic control/Special events permits may be required
Firearms/SFX
Police coordination; qualified armorers and SFX protocols
Child Labor / Performance
Permits
Entertainment work permits; studio teacher/tutor
Hours
Strict age-based limits; meal/rest rules
Guardian
Parent/guardian presence; trust accounts (Coogan)
Drone / Aerial Filming
Regime
FAA Part 107; local NOTAMs; municipal restrictions possible
Waivers
Night/over-people operations may need waivers
Coordination
Film office and law enforcement as required
Insurance / Safety
General Liability
$1–2M per occurrence common
Auto
Hired/Non-owned auto coverage
Workers’ Comp
Mandatory for employees; stunt coverage specifics
Unions & Guilds
Performers
SAG‑AFTRA (various low‑budget agreements)
Directors
DGA (staffing ratios, safety meetings)
Crew
IATSE locals; turnaround and overtime rules
Incentives / Rebates
Program
Tax credit (competitive allocation)
Headline
~25–30% depending on category/spend
Notes
Application windows; audits/reporting
Notes
[Insert jurisdictional notes, links to official film office pages, and submission checklists.]
New York City (Municipal, US)
Region: US – Union presence: High – Incentives: Yes – Updated: [YYYY‑MM‑DD]
PermitsChild LaborDrone
InsuranceUnionsIncentives
Permits & Authorities
Authority
Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment (MOME)
Turnaround
~2–3 business days typical (longer if complex)
Street/Police
Parking/street permits; NYPD details for stunts
Firearms
NYPD Film Unit coordination
Child Labor / Performance
Permits
Child performer permits; education requirements
Hours
Age-based caps; nightlife restrictions
Guardian
Parent/guardian; teacher requirements; trust accounts common
Drone / Aerial Filming
Regime
FAA Part 107 plus NYC restrictions
Waivers
City permissions; limited legal takeoff/landing
Coordination
MOME and NYPD Aviation
Insurance / Safety
General Liability
$1–5M; City named as additional insured
Auto
HNOL; vehicle permits for closures
Workers’ Comp
Workers’ comp & disability coverage required
Unions & Guilds
Performers
SAG‑AFTRA; background ratios enforced
Directors
DGA; safety officers for large sets
Crew
IATSE locals; grip/electric/location rules
Incentives / Rebates
Program
State/City credits
Headline
~25% state, potential add‑ons
Notes
Caps and residency spend requirements
Notes
[Insert local forms list, COI requirements, and sample timelines.]
Ontario (Province, Canada)
Region: Canada – Union presence: Moderate – Incentives: Yes – Updated: [YYYY‑MM‑DD]
Permits & Authorities
Authority
Municipal film offices (e.g., Toronto Film Office)
Turnaround
~3–5 business days typical
Street/Traffic
Road occupancy/special event permits; police as needed
Child Labor / Performance
Guidelines
Child performer rules; education arrangements
Hours
Age-based limits; night restrictions
Guardian
Presence; welfare provisions
Drone / Aerial Filming
Regime
Transport Canada (Basic/Advanced) + municipal rules
Waivers
SFOC for certain operations; flight reviews
Insurance / Safety
General Liability
CAD $2–5M common; municipal additional insured
Workers’ Comp
WSIB or equivalent
Unions & Guilds
Performers
ACTRA
Directors
DGC
Crew
IATSE locals (provincial nuances)
Incentives / Rebates
Program
Provincial + federal tax credits
Headline
Effective ~30–40% eligible spend (stacked)
Notes
Cultural tests; Canadian content rules in some cases
Notes
[Insert municipal permitting portals and child performer guidance links.]
United Kingdom (Nationwide)
Region: UK – Union presence: Moderate – Incentives: Yes – Updated: [YYYY‑MM‑DD]
Permits & Authorities
Authority
Local councils/film offices (e.g., Film London)
Turnaround
~3–10 working days depending on complexity
Street/Traffic
Traffic orders, parking suspensions; police notifications
Child Labor / Performance
Child performance licenses via local authorities
Hours
Age-specific limits; tutoring requirements
Chaperone
Licensed chaperones; safeguarding rules
Drone / Aerial Filming
Regime
CAA (A2/Specific categories)
Authorisations
Operational Authorisation for specific ops
Insurance / Safety
Public Liability
Commonly £5–10M
Employer’s Liability
Required
Unions & Guilds
Performers
Equity
Crew
BECTU (working time rules)
Writers/Musicians
WGGB / MU
Incentives / Rebates
Program
Audio‑Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC)
Headline
Up to ~34% (category‑dependent)
Notes
Cultural test; HMRC rules
Notes
[Insert council application links, child license forms, and CAA guidance references.]
Printable Summary Template
JURISDICTION SUMMARY
Name: [ ]
Region: [ ] – Union presence: [ ] – Incentives: [ ] – Updated: [YYYY‑MM‑DD]PERMITS & AUTHORITIES
– Authority: [ ]
– Turnaround: [ ]
– Street/Traffic/Police: [ ]
– SFX/Firearms: [ ]CHILD LABOR / PERFORMANCE
– Permits/Licenses: [ ]
– Hours Limits: [ ]
– Guardian/Teacher: [ ]DRONE / AERIAL
– Regime: [ ]
– Waivers/Authorisations: [ ]
– Coordination: [ ]INSURANCE / SAFETY
– GL: [ ] – Employer’s/Workers’ Comp: [ ] – Auto: [ ]
– Safety bulletins/policies: [ ]
Name: [ ]
Region: [ ] – Union presence: [ ] – Incentives: [ ] – Updated: [YYYY‑MM‑DD]PERMITS & AUTHORITIES
– Authority: [ ]
– Turnaround: [ ]
– Street/Traffic/Police: [ ]
– SFX/Firearms: [ ]CHILD LABOR / PERFORMANCE
– Permits/Licenses: [ ]
– Hours Limits: [ ]
– Guardian/Teacher: [ ]DRONE / AERIAL
– Regime: [ ]
– Waivers/Authorisations: [ ]
– Coordination: [ ]INSURANCE / SAFETY
– GL: [ ] – Employer’s/Workers’ Comp: [ ] – Auto: [ ]
– Safety bulletins/policies: [ ]
UNIONS & GUILDS
– Performers: [ ]
– Directors: [ ]
– Crew: [ ]
– Notes: [ ]
INCENTIVES / REBATES
– Program: [ ]
– Rate/Headline: [ ]
– Key Conditions: [ ]
Disclaimer
This guide is an educational resource and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and can change. Verify with film offices, regulators, and unions/guilds before relying on this material for production decisions.