Hey everyone. Im new here on the site. I've been producing short little skits for awhile now and am getting ready to produce my first short film (better editing, actual plot, unlike my usual stuff). I do want to do more of this stuff but because Im new I have a question.

This film in particular is scripted to take place mostly in a store. Its about a 5 minute movie. Does anyone know if legally, stores are allowed to let me come in and film for a few minutes later at night (off peak business hours)? (may sound like a stupid question but I've been told many won't)

It is up to the owner/person responsible for running the store. You need to get a location release saying you have permission to be there and film at that location. Within the release you should cover things like how much you have to pay (if anything at all) for the use, who is responsible for any damages, any injuries etc. Simply put you want a a piece of paper stating where both parties (you and the owner) stand incase anything happens. Usually you will have to take all resposibilities, especially if they are letting you film for free.

The only occasion that filming in a store would be illegal would be where you didn't gain permission and filmed anyway.

Goodluck with it. Hopefully the owner is nice and wants to be part of the film industry!

I filmed in Wal-Mart before, and put together a proposal and scene synopsis to give to the general manager. In it, I stated that this paricular film was a student film and that it would be used as a directed studies project for my graduate program (both of these claims, I think, helped my case). The scene synopsis was for the particular scene that would be filmed in Wally, and the proposal stated when we'd film, where we'd film, and that we would cause as little disruption to normal business. I also stated that we would not show specific prices or merchandise.

That seemed to work pretty well...I'd make the proposal as specific as possible (in addition to what CJK mentioned to include). Maybe even fluff it up a bit with the student film comment. But, it all depends on the business...if it's a mom and pop shop, they may be thrilled just to have something going on in the store, to bring attention to it, and to help out a filmmaker/artisit in need; I've had those experiences as well. I'm usually a lot more informal then. But covering your rear never hurts!