Hire a Video Production Agency That Understands Permits and Regulations

Demand for corporate videos is rising and will continue to grow, driven by their strong performance across different scenarios. Since San Francisco offers a fantastic backdrop for corporate videos, it can be easy to plan and leverage its cinematic landscape to achieve the desired theme. While it's a huge benefit, agencies must also navigate logistical challenges to meet their clients' expectations. From handling moody microclimates to adhering to local labor laws, the video production agency must be agile and adept in these matters. If you hire local video makers, you will be at an advantage.

You can trust a San Francisco video production company to take care of all these aspects, along with their creative output. Working with such a partner is crucial to avoid fines, exceeding your budget, missing timelines, etc. So, when you approach a company for your corporate videos, make sure they understand all labor rules, insurance requirements, permits, and related aspects. Here’s a quick overview to help you analyze your decision properly and take the right step.

Some assume that they don't need to secure permits for small shoots. On the contrary, even the most run-and-gun shoots require official permits to film on sidewalks, streets, and parks. An agency has to pay a non-refundable application fee, a location fee for using public areas, and so on. For approval of basic permits, they must submit their filming request at least 3 to 5 days in advance. But complex shoots, such as drone flights or street closures, require permits to be requested at least ten days in advance. Some locations require a separate license. Only a local video production agency can manage all of these requirements.

No matter the nature of the video shoot, a video production company must take care of the city and public property. For this, having auto liability, general liability, and workers’ compensation insurance policies is necessary. Without these, the agency cannot shoot video.

Labor laws in California are strict, and San Francisco, being part of the state, is subject to follow them. Any single incident of violation can lead to legal troubles or massive fines. A video production company must provide adequate meal breaks to the crew after 6 hours of work. They should be paid overtime if the work extends beyond eight hours. Basically, they have to take a disciplined approach. When they follow these rules, your project can also be completed on time and within budget.

When you talk to them, you can ask about their permitting expertise, labor law compliance, insurance coverage, and the quality of their in-house equipment. A well-equipped agency will have a complete, top-notch setup to manage most tasks on-site.

San Francisco is known for its cinematic landscapes and modern technologies. It's not a place for the unprepared. Those who cannot handle permits and compliance may not be reliable—you could get stuck with them. Hence, find a local, disciplined agency. It should be able to navigate complexities with ease. Working with a responsible partner can be advantageous in many ways.