City council considers becoming film friendly

Feb. 20—The City of Norman is in the process of becoming more film friendly.

During Council's Tuesday meeting, the City discussed opportunities for filmmakers to apply for film permits for movies, music videos, television shows and other various other filmed media, excluding news broadcasts.

The City is no stranger to the Hollywood market with films like "Twister" (1996), "The Turkey Bowl" (2019) and "Rise and Walk: The Dennis Byrd Story" (1994) all having scenes shot in Norman, however, according to city staff, permit applications and ordinances could use an update.

According to Tuesday's presentation, a film could be registered to the City's CityView website, which launched in November of last year.

Application requirements for film permits would include listing dates/times (event start and end, site preparation, frequency), location, street closures, noise variances, vendors and food trucks, tents, stages, and other temporary structures, number of support personnel (staff and/or volunteers), restrooms on site and port-a-potties, security plan, health and safety plan and clean-up and trash removal.

Types of scenes that would apply for this kind of permit would include use of City buildings, park, land, streets, alleys, sidewalks, rights-of-way, etc., vehicle chases, explosions, fire, fireworks, pyrotechnics, animals (type and number), firearms/weapons, night shoots, staged fighting/loud arguments, heavy equipment, nudity, youth(s) (18 years or younger), flyovers (drone/airplane/helicopter), construction/alteration of existing building or temporary construction.

Other changes would be requirements for street closures and updated ordinance language that could be implemented.

The addition of language that would encompass a variety of film and television productions to the City's ordinance was recommended. This would include the possibility of adding a permit fee depending on the size of the production.

Council members unanimously expressed interest in the permit, but expressed concerns about fees for local filmmakers, business owners and students.