Night filming guidelines

To create a positive filming environment in residential and commercial areas requires effective consultation and planning with all those people/businesses that will be directly affected by the activity.

Whilst there are no set restrictions on filming, we recommend that you take note of the following guidelines for filming in residential areas at night/unsociable hours:

Guidelines:

• A permit application should be made to Screen Salford detailing the scenes/action to be shot along with the requested filming equipment to be present on site.
• There is an 11pm (2300hrs) curfew for filming. If this needs to be extended then each request is judged on its individual merit and based on resident consultation and agreement.
• There will be a letter drop to residents in the area confirming the requested filming to take place (copy to be sent to Screen Salford for circulation to SCC, GMP and other key stakeholders) which provides a contact on the production for residents who wish to obtain more information.
• Where generators are used they should be silenced.
• Lighting systems used shall be set up so that light is not obtrusive into residential properties, there should not be any light glare from lighting into residential properties, especially bedrooms and procedures shall be put into place to minimise light spill from the filming.
• Radio communication between crew should be carried out via earpiece equipment
• Crew should be reminded to respect the local community and where possible staff amenities and meeting places shall be sited away from residential properties. The moving of technical vehicles should also be done in a respectful manner and depending on the requested wrap time from the production some technical vehicles may be asked to remain on site until the following morning (7.30am/0730hrs). 

If complaints were received, an assessment of nuisance would take into account the level of noise, its length and timing, the location and source. Salford City Council has a legal duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to serve an Abatement Notice if a nuisance is found to exist, or if one is likely to occur or recur. It is important to note that night time hours (Monday to Friday) are considered between 11pm and 7.30am, and that any disturbing noise outside of these times would likely be considered a nuisance and could result in enforcement action being taken.

• Filming guidelines

  • Filming agreement

  • Code of Practice

  • Camera drone guidelines