Cape Town Photographer protest - PERMITS???

[elsahoffmann]

If you are a photographer in Cape Town, please read. If you wish to support this - thank you.

Permit Saga -
http://www.ctppa.co.za/

and also to participate -

http://ctppa.co.za/?p=117


For those who are just joining in, to sum up everything that has happened in nut shell. There has always been a permit system in place for commercial shoots however, non commercial and small shoots were always exempt in the past. The City of Cape Town (City) has now decided that all shoots on public property require a permit and that the photographer be registered with the City and provide proof of Public Liability Insurance.
There are numerous concerns about the structure and process of the new system. Principle among these is the lack of consultation with the very people who these new requirements affect. Us, the photographers working in the City and surrounds. The City is now hiding behind said legislation to try avoid dealing with the mess it has created. We believe that they have issues to answer to and that amendments need to be made to the system so that it is less draconian and more user-friendly. The sole aim of CTPPA at this point, is to bring about that change.
The City’s Proposal
The City’s proposal is set out below. We have highlighted what we can live with in Green. The issues we find unacceptable have been highlighted in Red.
The Film Permit Office has been engaging with film industry representative bodies (SAASP, CPA and CFC) regarding streamlining the process for permitting of micro-shoots.
The outcome as a direct result of these engagements with industry, is the piloting of Micro-Shoot Permits for small, mobile crews comprising no more than 10 cast/crew and 3 light vehicles/panel vans. This development seeks to address the needs of stills photographers, without compromising the rights of residents, businesses and other users of popular shoot locations.
The Micro-Shoot Permit option is available on the Online Film Permit System and is aimed at expediting and facilitating the permitting process for the majority of small stills and non commercial shoots. The success and future of micro-shoot permits will rely heavily on the cooperation of all industry players.
Micro-Shoot Permit Criteria and Conditions:

• No more than 10 cast and crew.
• No more than 3 vehicles (viz. cars, panel vans).
• No trucks/non essential vehicles.
• No set builds/large props, sfx, loud noise, simulated gunfire, etc. permitted.
• No or minimal impact shoots or disruption of businesses or other normal activity at any location.

• Micro-shoot permits are issued for the dates specified and will not exceed a 7 day period.
• Only valid for locations and/or dates specified.
• No city-wide, open-ended permits.
• Not be issued for film-sensitive areas, blue flag beaches, etc.
• Impacted and affected businesses/residents to be notified prior to shoot – once permit has been issued.
• Notifications to impacted or affected parties must advise of date or entire “window period” for which a micro–shoot permit has been applied for.

The following protocols have been work-shopped and agreed with the film industry bodies and the Cape Film Commission:

• 1 season/year trial period. City reserves right at its own discretion, to withdraw the micro-shoot permit facility at any time. The City will inform the CFC/Industry bodies of the reasons.
• Micro-shoot permits must be available for inspection on location at all times.
• Commercial/film shoots permits for the same location will have preference over micro-shoot permits.
• Consultation between commercial/film/stills permit holders and micro-shoot permit holders interested in same location is essential.
• Micro-shoot permits will only 2nd pencil status. If a production company wants exclusive rights/or a specific period at a location a “normal” film permit application must be submitted.
• Micro-shoots will not interfere with other commercial/film shoots, including camera angles, driving shots, etc.
• Any authorised Events, marches, other activities will take precedence over Micro-Shoots.

• All micro- shoots must apply for a PERMIT PER JOB, detailing the shoot days, and the proposed locations.
• The application must include details of Company, Job and production manager.
• The micro-shoot permit will be issued for the full period of a job.
• Micro-shoot permits will applicable only to outdoor spaces or locations free to public access.
• Micro-shoot permits will not be considered for film sensitive areas, e.g. Bo-Kaap, Constantia, or Blue Flag beaches at this stage.
• Micro-shoot permits will not apply to city buildings – these will require permits for access.

• Micro-shoots permitted through this pilot programme must always make way for shoots for which a “normal” permit has been issued.
• Micro-shoots must abide by all existing by-laws, regulations, etc.
• Micro-shoot permits will not be issued for shoots requiring road closures, interruption of traffic;
• No blocking sidewalks, blocking footpaths or public/pedestrian access/thoroughfare
• No public indecency, sfx, loud noise, simulated gunfire, etc. will be allowed.

Our concerns re the above are as follows:

1. A system that requires us to apply for permits 48 hours in advance and only on Monday to Friday is not workable. What happens if one meets a model on Saturday night and we want to do a test on Sunday morning? Why should be we denied the right to pursue our business, hobby and passion? A prime example of this would be a wedding photographer who may be required to shoot in a public area to give the bride and groom some memorable photographs on location at one of our beautiful beaches or public spaces.
2. The City cannot cope with the number of permits it currently processes. How does it think its going to cope with an additional few hundred a week?
3. A 1 year open location permit is an acceptable compromise but, the permit should not limit us with regards to locations like blue flag beaches, the permit should be free or nominal charge and easy to obtain. Having to apply on a per job basis for all shoots is not acceptable. (We support the idea of a permit, in the context we have indicated, for commercial photographers as there are always elements who will misbehave and try abuse the system. A permit means that the individual can be punished without the whole industry paying for their transgression).
4. We do not believe that having PL insurance should be criteria for the permit as it is not feasible for some of the hobby photographers. Additionally other users of public open space do not require PL insurance and we are of no more significant risk that say a roller blader or people playing with Frisbee’s.
5. We are happy to give full permit shoots preference as long as the city publishes the information about these on a website prior to the shoots so that we know which areas are off-limits.
6. Shoots with no equipment other than a camera and less than 3 people should be exempt from needing a permit but, we are happy that they still need to comply with (4) above. Shoots with gear would need to have the 1 year permit.

We do not feel that any of what we are asking for is unreasonable. In fact, we feel it will lead to a far more workable system than that which the City is currently trying to impose upon us.
The outcome of this action affects all photographers in the City of Cape Town. Showing a united front by way of collective support, constructive input and feedback are really vital to the success of this process. Please let us know what you think CTPPA INFO .


further links
http://www.facebook.com/CTPPA

[jaytee]

Seems permits are quite the thing! First table mountain + now the city!

I can`t see who`s organising/running the CTPPA. Who are these people? (with apologies to a very old but good Nedbank ad.) I agree with their objectives, but I`d like to know who they are before I join them.

[Chris F]

Elsa thank you posting this thread.

Can/should amature photographers join CTPPA ??

CLEARLY point "6" will really benefit those of us that have an expensive looking camera, but is in actual fact an amature.


My one comment (and CONCERN) is that this is NOT SAFE !! The reality is that there is safety in numbers, and that is why so many of us like to go out in groups. I can carry on, but I am sure you get the point.

[elsahoffmann]

I have no idea. but if some of the stuff apply to you - go for it.

[Chris F]

The irony is I am NOT a pro. BUT as the rangers will be treating me like a pro, maybe it is better I add my vote to this group.

[jaytee]

Chris, this has nothing to do with the outdoors, or rangers. It`s about pro shoots in the city.

I`m a bit worried that no-one (so far) seems to know who the CTPPA are. I`ll see if I can find out.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

just following the thread

[jaytee]

Seems the CTPPA was founded by Robert Miller. I`ve mailed him/them + suggested that they post here.

[Panascape]

Hi All

Basically the CTPPA is currently me, Robert Miller and the reason for the CTPPA is that the City refused to engage in discussion regarding the permit saga unless there was an organisation who could speak for a group of photographers. Currently by joining the CTPPA all you are doing is authorising myself as the representative, to engage with council on your behalf to try resolve the permit issue and our stand point is clearly laid out in the response to the City's proposal which has been posted in this thread.

What I can tell you is that some very concerning facts have come to light regarding the City's proposal and the current permit system and we are talking to people high up in council and the province to get some answers as to how certain things occurred or were allowed to occur. We have also allied with the Cape Film Commission who share our concerns and also have a number of independent film makers who have the same concerns that we do.

What I can tell you is that running the CTPPA has become a very time consuming task and I am at the stage where my work is suffering because of it, but the implications of not fighting this are too serious for both Pro's and amateurs so I believe it is something hat needs to continue no matter the cost.

If you have any questions feel free to mail me in info@ctppa.co.za

Robert

[elsahoffmann]

Goodie. Glad to see you here Robert. I do realise this is a big thing you are doing.

[Mike Wrankmore]

Robert.....what can the amateur photographers from Cape Town do to help?

[Panascape]

Robert.....what can the amateur photographers from Cape Town do to help?

Basically just signup to let us represent you in the fight as the more people who sign up, the more power we have to change things.

[Panascape]

Goodie. Glad to see you here Robert. I do realise this is a big thing you are doing.

Just wait till you hear the full story, that is if i can find a way to tell it without getting sued unless an attorney wants to offer their services to read through it and make sure its ok?

[visagieh]

Hi All

Basically the CTPPA is currently me, Robert Miller

Robert, welcome here.

Can you give us number of the togs that have signed up.

Hannes

[elsahoffmann]

Robert - good thing then I posted it here hopefully adds some names for you

[Panascape]

Robert, welcome here.

Can you give us number of the togs that have signed up.

Hannes

So far we have 220 which means we have a lot of people who are not happy abut the current system.

[Panascape]

Robert - good thing then I posted it here hopefully adds some names for you

Thanks for helping with the cause

[Johann van Rensburg]

If this is such a problem even to amateurs, then what about tourists, both local and from abroad ?

You may also want to involve that entire industry (businesses) as it is their clientele that are impacted by this.

Looks like anyone wielding anything bigger than a cellphone or low level P&S will be experiencing difficulty.

Basically it now means my planned holiday to your city has just been cancelled, and I will have to spend my dollars elsewhere ...

What about other cities ? any evidence of similar restrictions to follow ?

[visagieh]

Basically it now means my planned holiday to your city has just been cancelled, and I will have to spend my dollars elsewhere ...

Johann, love this. Now suddenly that hurts.

[Panascape]

If this is such a problem even to amateurs, then what about tourists, both local and from abroad ?

You may also want to involve that entire industry (businesses) as it is their clientele that are impacted by this.

Looks like anyone wielding anything bigger than a cellphone or low level P&S will be experiencing difficulty.

Basically it now means my planned holiday to your city has just been cancelled, and I will have to spend my dollars elsewhere ...

What about other cities ? any evidence of similar restrictions to follow ?

The problem is with how council seem to be applying By-Law Relating to Filming, No. 30441. if we go by the letter of the law for example, everyone, tourist or not, using a tripod on a public side walk, road or in anyway restricting access, needs to have a permit. It does not differentiate between tourists, locals, amateurs and pros.

What council is doing is choosing how they want to apply it and also choosing to ignore sections of it hat put obligations on them. We belive if you read the By_law http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ehd/Do...n-v2011-06.pdf , its intent is pretty clear and that we should not be falling under it.