West Sussex falls within the boundaries of the South Downs National Park and offers much potential to the movie industry with a variety of:
- land and seascapes
- ports
- estuaries
- yacht basins
- rivers
- quaint rural villages
- modern towns
- ancient architecture dating back to times of the Romans and through the ages
- historical buildings such as:
- cathedrals
- castles (for example, Arundel Castle)
- stately homes (for example, Goodwood and Petworth House)
Whether you are looking for a location, conducting a photo shoot, creating an advertisement, music video, documentary or the next Oscar-winning blockbuster there are a number of regulatory permissions and insurances required.
Getting permission to film
All filming and photography requires a permit or permission from the council, as well as from land and property owners. These need to be completed before any production or filming starts on council-owned land or property. They could include:
- licences and permits for road closures
- placement of equipment on the highway, such as cranes, skips or scaffolding
- the suspension of parking bays
Filming on the public highway and roads, pedestrianised streets and public places include, and are not restricted to:
- parks and green open spaces
- car parks and on-street parking areas
- beaches
- markets
- schools
- shopping centres
- leisure centres
- libraries
- cemeteries
- crematoriums
- council-owned land and property
- privately-owned land and property
To find your perfect location quickly and easily, the county council work closely with Sussex Film Office, who undertake investigations following an application for a permit. They will also advise on filming locations and source cast, crew and industry suppliers within West Sussex.