Why Can’t You Film in WalMart? It’s a question I see asked quite often by my friends and family who visit my local Wal-Mart. So I thought I would write an article to help answer that question. First of all, I have to admit, Wal-Mart is my favorite place to shop. Not only is the variety and pricing great, but there are also many employee friendly policies they have that make shopping there so much fun.
But does it have to be this way? Is it okay to film inside Wal-Mart? Well, as long as you stay in the parking lot. It’s not like they screen for your film and you walk out with your movie.
Of course, if you don’t want to pay the photographer and the prop assistant to get dressed and go into the “spaces” then you can film outside in the summer or on rainy days when the light is not as strong. But do you really want to film in there when there is snow outside? It gets chilly in there even in the middle of winter. Plus, there is always that threat of someone being hurt if you are not filming safely.
I have been asked why I don’t film inside Wal-Mart. There are a couple reasons. One is the cost. If you are going to spend money on an expensive camera and a crew and you don’t plan to release the film until it is produced, then it makes more sense to shoot outside.
But the other reason is because of the liability. When you are on location for an extended period of time, there is always a chance of something bad happening. If you are not shooting safely, there is a chance you could become a victim and the legal system can take months to settle. In some states, if the person filming you breaks state law, you can be held responsible.
If you are determined to shoot your scenes in a public location like Wal-Mart, you can do so. But make sure you do it in a safe manner. And be prepared to pay for any accidents or damages that happen on set. The US government has a website with a list of permits you need to get to film in Wal-Mart. Just Google “walgreens permit” or “production permit.”
I have been to Wal-Mart several times and while the environment is not bad at all, it is not the safest place to film. Especially if you are using a long lens as there are a lot of glass and even air to keep clean. The lighting is also limited, which means you aren’t able to get very long lenses. The one time I was on location at Wal-Mart and the fog was so thick that there was a breeze in the camera bag and I had to step into the fog to get a shot. So the question remains, why can’t you? Why can’t you just hire a crew and skip all of this?
The truth is, if you are looking to produce movies, you will need to acquire permits from the local government and the state. They can either be free or a nominal fee. The benefit of working with a commercial production company is they already know the local laws and can help you navigate the process. But since you are attempting to film outside of the United States, the laws may be a little different. It is best to check with a lawyer before beginning any film projects to avoid any issues that could be costly to you.
