Filming in Fremantle

Productions can have long term benefits, boosting local employment, encouraging investment, and generally increasing the Fremantle profile. Filming projects can also create a potentially endless source of tourism opportunities. Capturing a community’s appeal like Fremantle on screen can ensure a steady stream of visitors for generations to come.

When screen production comes to town it can provide a quick injection of revenue to local businesses. Film crews often need accommodation, food and beverage along with other lesser-known benefits like costume and prop sales play a part

The short-term challenges with film production in Fremantle might involve an impact to parking, an increase in noise, and potentially traffic congestion.

On some major productions footpath access may be halted for 1-2 minutes while the film is rolling. Road closures may also be necessary, however every effort will be made to avoid this eventuality and will need approval by The City of Fremantle and Fremantle Police.

At all access points ‘open for business’ signage will be displayed for businesses within the filming zones.

An Obstruction Permit is required for an activity that obstructs any part of a public thoroughfare (e.g. roads, footpaths, car bays, or reserves) using any equipment including tripods, lighting equipment, or unit bases.

If you are planning on obstructing a public thoroughfare in order to film you will need to apply for a General Obstruction Permit, and if you require traffic management to close, re-route, or alter traffic on roads then you will need a Traffic Management Plan Permit and to submit an official Traffic Management Plan by a registered provider.

In order to minimise the requirement for an Obstruction Permit there are some things you can aim towards.

• Don’t block footpaths with filming equipment, including tripods, opt to use a hand held camera or Gimbal instead.
• If you need to use a footpath to film your actors, you must allow people to pass at any time, and cannot hold the public against their will or force them to cross a road to go around your production.
• Try and film in quieter times, during the week when foot traffic is low.
• Film inside a venue (with permission) instead of in the street. Obstruction Permits are only required for public places.

Film, television shows, commercials music videos are always looking for the perfect location for their production. Productions are on the lookout for homes, offices, warehouse, restaurants, bars or storage spaces, on short term leases.

The best way to get involved in film is to list your location on the Reelscout website, which allows Location Scouts to look for places that are open to filming in the area. Read this article about how others have gotten involved in productions.

If you’d like more information on the benefits of film, head to the Screenwest website.