I hav done a lot of street magic and some restaurant magic. Recently i hav been thinking about having a friend video tape some of my effects and making a movie. Does anyone know if you have to have a city permit to video tape this type of stuff in public I have heard of people getting in trouble because of video tapeing his tricks in public. I don't know if it is different in other cities or not. If anyone has any info it will definetly be appreciated. Thanx.

Nate[/quote]

I would probably call your city hall and they would be able to give you alot more information than we could provide. Just look in your phone book for a number,it should be listed under Govt listing. Good luck.

Technically you need a permit just to do "street magic."

The only thing I would do is make up a form for spectators to sign after the show (yes, this is hard) so that they can't sue you if you show others the vid.

I believe that the video thign is a bad idea unless you can get a permit. I have just seen on the television that someone was taken in for questioning for like 12 hours because they were caught videotaping around the city and amtraks ( I live near philly). but if you show them a permit it should be fine. I also think if you plan to film in the restaurant then you should probably ask your boss.

Yea, definetely get your spectators to sign a release form of sorts.

i made a tape of my street magic. in my city thats perfectly legal. i took it to my local magic shop and its actually selling pretty good there. im makin lots of money from it.

Here in Holland we don't even think about getting a permit...how ridicolous, just film wherever you want

It's a brave new world. There was a time when you could use your camara to take pictures of anything and anyone you wanted to. Unfortunately, those times are gone. Look on the bright side. If you're a person in power, you can video tape anyone you want to. They're allowed to do that because they have interest they have to protect.

The average person is video taped 36 times a day.

Is that true? 36 times? I must be a movie star somewhere! . Where did you hear that?

It was on the news. I'm not sure if I have the exact number.

Let me explain it to you. I'm going to put arbitrary numbers in parenthesis after each example which specifies the amount of camaras.

When you step in your car and drive down the highway you are recorded for News programs and traffic control centers and stuff (5).

If you go through a tollbooth, your picture is taken of both your license and your face (4).

Once you get to work, your seen on several camaras. If you have some idle time at work, it's fun to count up the video camaras (16).

Once you go out for lunch, you can expect to be watched by more camaras (3).

When you're on the way home and have to stop for gas, you're on camara (1).

Since the wife asked you to get some milk, you stop at the convenience store and once again you're on camara (1 or 2).

If you go home the way you came, you're on those camaras again (5).

Let's say you have to do some shopping at Macys after dinner. Lots of camaras there (14).


You get the idea.