There are many factors to take into account when filming outside social hours in commercial and residential areas, but perhaps one of the most important to bear in mind is noise – as you might well expect!
Social hours are usually between 22:00 at night and 08:00 in the morning – and as long as you consulted and communicated effectively with anyone who might be affected by your filming activities, there’s certainly no reason why you shouldn’t be able to go about your business and keep the cameras rolling.
You’ll need to get in touch with local residents and businesses well ahead of schedule so you know the production can go on as planned and there won’t be any delays while you wait for permissions.
Bear in mind that any filming (or, indeed, any other kind of activity) that’s due to take place outside social hours is regulated under the Environmental Protection Act in relation to noise and nuisance.
If a resident makes a legitimate complaint about the work you’re doing, the local authority in question may terminate the shoot, withdraw your film permits and even confiscate your equipment… so it’s certainly worth keeping everyone on side and doing all you can to mitigate the risks.
This should include making sure all scenes that require noise above conversation level are shot before 22:00. And if you’re in a residential area, aim to finish the project and take the rig down by 23:00 at the latest, unless you have agreed permission with the local council beforehand.
As for generator use, it’s essential that you explore all your options to keep noise to a minimum. Silent generators can prove particularly useful in this regard, which have long been the preferred option for many filmmakers and producers, as they’re not only incredibly quiet but are very reliable and have low emission levels into the bargain. It’s a win-win!
If you’d like to find out more about how to make your shoot as silent as you can, get in touch with the On Location Hire team today.