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Indie Filmmakers Mount Protest Over New Filming Law in NY

Independent filmmakers, civil libertarians, independent film journalists and tourists are joining to oppose proposed regulations drafted by the New York Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting that would require a permit and proof of liability insurance for any type of filming or photography involving two or more people at a single site for 30 minutes or more. The rules would also apply to five or more people using a tripod for more than 10 minutes. The proposed regulations have inspired a rap protest video from a comedy group called Olde English, which contains the lyrics: "Make no mistake these rules are heartless/Everyone knows they just target artists/ The video bloggaz at protest marches/And kidz making vids for the YouTube contests/It's garbage! Let's tell the people in power/We wanna film for more than half an hour!" The bloggers have also found support from the conservative New York Sun, which wrote in an editorial, "It would be a sad day if New York became a place where a family has to get a permit before making a home video." The new rules have also provoked an online petition campaign at http://www.pictureny.org/petition/index.php

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