Written by new-contact on Feb 1, 2012. Posted in On Location

Likely filming restrictions at US Capitol could reduce District of Columbia appeal

Filming the iconic US Capitol building in Washington, DC, could get harder. Anything other than news footage at the Capitol is generally forbidden and so crews usually shoot from a nearby pavement. Now control over this spot has shifted to an agency not known for its film-friendly attitude.

The angle from the reflecting pool has been the best option open to film crews looking to get the Capitol in their shot in recent years, the Washington Post reports, but now they’ll have to get permission from the Capitol Police rather than the US Park Service. Unfortunately the Capitol Police doesn’t have a great relationship with filmmakers.

We have a two-fold problem. The first question they ask is ‘Do you have an incentive programme?’ The second is ‘Can I film inside the US Capitol?’ We basically have to say no to both.

Crystal Palmer, DC Office of Motion Picture and Television Development

Peggy Pridemore is a Location Manager based in the city and she spoke to the outlet: “The answer from the Capitol is always absolutely no. My entire industry was afraid we are going to lose that special spot [at the reflecting pool] to film the Capitol building.”

Many local film professionals are looking for more leeway when it comes to filming in the city. However, the reality is that authorities are focussing on securing their national landmarks and are not prioritising ways to boost their local filming industries.

As a result, productions are increasingly doubling locations in nearby cities like Baltimore. Crystal Palmer is Director of the DC Office of Motion Picture and Television Development and summed up the issue for the outlet: “We have a two-fold problem. The first question they ask is ‘Do you have an incentive programme?’ The second is ‘Can I film inside the US Capitol?’ We basically have to say no to both.”