hey,
american here.
any other people from the U.S. out there who know about the laws regarding shooting in a public space?
How about a commercial space (like a bar, or a parking lot at a supermarket)
I'm trying to interview the average joes in a few different cities and after trying a bunch of different search terms cant find U.S. specific pages dedicated to this topic
thanks!

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

That's a pretty good guide. Also - on private property, i.e. a bar, you can take pictures as long as there is no expectation of privacy (meaning, you can't take pictures in someone's house). But, if on private property, the owner has the right to ask you to leave. If you refuse, then you are trespassing; but, this is something different altogether. The pictures are still completely legal - you'll just get in trouble for trespassing.

If the filming disrupts a public place, like blocking a road or something, then i believe that you can be charged with "Disturbing the Peace" unless you have a filming permit. not to sure on that, but i think that's how it goes.

Private Property filming can be done if you have permission or nobody knows.

I find varsity campuses very helpful.