SERVICES AND SUPPLIES IN PUBLIC AREAS

In addition to filming fees, production companies also have to cover the expenses of the services (local police, firemen, cleaning…) and supplies (electricity, water, gas…) derived from the filming carried out in the city’s streets or infrastructures.

CLOSING/OCCUPYING STREETS

Projects that require closing or occupying one or more streets and those impeding pedestrian access to any public area, should request the services of the Local Police, who will act on the municipal Traffic Department’s guidelines. SCFC is responsible for notifying the department about all of the filming details and for obtaining the said services.

AERIAL FILMING

All productions planning to film one or more shots from an aeroplane, helicopter or similar have to comply with current civil aviation regulations. In accordance with such, it is forbidden to fly below the following altitudes (except when taking off or landing):

• ABOVE CONGESTED AREAS within a city, town, colony or any place where people gather, at an altitude of 1,000 feet (around 300 m) above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 600 metres from the aeroplane.


• ABOVE OTHER AREAS at an altitude of 150 metres above the surface, except above the open sea or populated areas. In such cases, the aeroplane cannot fly below an altitude of 150 metres in the direction of a person, boat, vehicle or structure.

Flying above cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants (as is the case of Santiago de Compostela) is only possible in twin-engine aeroplanes. Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary to submit a detailed flight plan to Santiago-Lavacolla airport’s control centre beforehand, so that they can identify the aircraft on their radars. A planned flight cannot be changed under any circumstances without the approval of the pilot and/or flight coordinator. The said coordinator will be designated by Governmental Law or by the filming project’s chief pilot.

FILMING WITH PARACHUTISTS

All such jumps should be organised in accordance with Civil Aviation laws. The parachutists participating in the scene or scenes should have a license issued by the professional parachutists’ association or provide evidence that they have the necessary experience, in accordance with U.S.P.A. (United States Parachute Association) standards. Highly qualified parachutists with a Class-D USPA licence will be allowed to land within congested areas, always under the supervision of an aerial coordinator.

FILMING WITH ANIMALS

Law 1/93 of 13/4/93 (published on 22/4/1993) concerning the protection of domestic and wild animals in captivity, regulates the general principles regarding the respect, protection and defence of living beings in Galicia. In accordance with this law, it is forbidden to use animals in filming that may cause them harm, suffering or subject them to anti-natural treatment.

FILMING WITH ARMS AND/OR EXPLOSIVES

There are a series of regulations that production companies have to take into account before filming a scene requiring the use of firearms or explosives. First of all, the weapons used, whether detonators or blanks, should be disabled and not apt for live ammunition. If weapons are used in normal functioning, then only blank munitions can be used and they should be duly documented according to their category.

In Spain, the Civil Guard’s Weapons and Explosives Department is responsible for granting firearms licences. As licence holders, each production’s weapons experts normally satisfy all of the requirements established by this organism. However, it is also necessary to inform the person in charge of the place where filming will take place, in order to receive his authorisation and also to avoid any setbacks or misunderstandings. It is also advisable to inform the competent authorities (local, regional… police) and, as far as possible, the area’s residents. The transportation of explosives is subject to traffic laws.

SCFC will be responsible for providing production companies with the necessary authorisation for using firearms and/or explosives, on set or on location, as long as safety is guaranteed by duly qualified special effects experts.