Tennessee State Filming Laws for Producers
Coming to Tennessee to produce a motion picture or other commercial film project is certainly exciting for a producer. Especially one that’s never been to the Volunteer State before. Filmmakers that come to Tennessee must adhere to local policies. As well as Tennessee state filming laws as they pertain to film production projects. Before you plan your commercial film shoot in Tennessee? Make sure that you’re fully aware of the local laws that pertain to your production. So that you don’t land yourself in any legal or civil trouble.
Tennessee Recording Laws
Tennessee has a one-party consent law. Which makes it illegal to “overhear” or otherwise record a conversation without the consent of at least one party that is involved.
This means that filmmakers could find themselves in legal trouble if they record a conversation or interaction between two parties in public unless they obtain consent.
As with most states, it’s best to obtain written or filmed consent from anyone that you film prior to using the footage in a commercial production project.
By obtaining a release form that is signed by any and all individuals that you film, the risk for future liability to come out of the situation is incredibly slim for the filmmaker.
Reasonable Expectation of Privacy
Like other southern states, Tennessee has a law that specifies rights to individuals that have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
This means that for individuals that are in a private location, as well as for those in certain publicly accessible.
But private locations such as restaurants, retail stores, and similar areas, if an individual has a reasonable right to expect privacy. Then a filmmaker must not film them without their consent to do so.
Tennessee State Filming Laws Regarding Right to Work
Tennessee is a right to work state. Which means that filmmakers from both union, and non-union, productions are welcome in the state.
No person can be forced to join a union as a right of employment in the state. And no person should face job loss should they decide not to be a part of a union. Or should they decide that they want to be a part of a union in Tennessee.
Under the right-to-work laws, filmmakers and film industry workers in Tennessee have a right to work whether they are, or are not, unionized.
Tennessee Laws on Insurance for Filmmakers
Commercial filmmakers that intend to film in the State of Tennessee must carry a Certificate of Insurance. It provides coverage for filming on state property.
This means that filmmakers which will perform any commercial recording in Tennessee. On state roads, in state parks, or within state public locations. You must have Certificate of Insurance in order to legally film in the Volunteer State.
Child Labor Laws for Filmmakers in Tennessee
Tennessee state filming laws that pertain to the use of child labor on the film set specifically protect children that are employed in productions that are incentivized by the TEC.
The Child Labor Act provides protections for those under 18 working in Tennessee. And it limits working hours based on age.
The Takeaway
Under Tennessee law, children that work on film productions must not work more than 3 hours per day while in school if under 16.
And for those between 16 and 17? Work must be performed during the hours 6am and 10pm when they are not required to attend class.
Additional laws regarding child labor, and other Tennessee state filming laws can be found on the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development website.
