There’s a lot in the location of where you can and can’t film adult clips which, unfortunately, a lot of people do not know.
This may be that someone they trust told them something was OK. Or they saw someone else do something and assume it was fine.
There’s a lot I am going to say here which is meant entirely without judgement. However, going into something being aware of the risks will serve you better than doing something you didn’t know you couldn’t do and facing sanctions or legal action.
At it’s very simplest.
There has been speculation circulating for years around the concept of location release forms. The idea being a signed form from the venue owner stating you have permission to film adult based content on their premises. These are a requirement in commercial and indie movies. More info here.
This has only ever been speculative regarding expansion to online clips and content. But, if this became a requirement, would you be realistically able to get this form signed from the property owner?
If yes, you can film there.
If no, you cannot.
In reality, it’s a little more complicated than that.
YOUR HOME
If you rent, the property belongs to your landlord. While you are entitled to quiet enjoyment of your property, the current UK law means your landlord can invoke Section 21 at any time, that is giving you 2 months notice of eviction for no reason.
Even if they do not go down that route, they can simply refuse to renew your tenancy.
So if your landlord is not aware and wouldn’t be happy, there is a risk here.
If you own and have a mortgage. Technically you should be raising with your mortgage lender and the local authorities your intended use for the property. This, if nothing else, is to make sure you don’t need a commercial mortgage or to pay business rates.
In reality, you probably wouldn’t. Especially if you are only shooting with other industry professionals.
If non-industry performers are involved (including “fuck a fan”) you may fall foul of brothel laws.
If you are shooting at home. It is very important to make sure this doesn’t cause a disturbance to your neighbours. So avoid late night shoots or anything excessively noisy, especially on any form of regular basis.
Once every couple of months is a party. Once every couple of weeks is a nuisance.
OUTDOORS
Outdoors has to not only be private land, but private land which cannot be seen from public land.
This IS something some sites have started to crack down on if they do not believe the outdoors scene to be on genuine private land.
The onus is then on you to prove that it is.
STUDIOS
There are studios which have set up for the purpose of filming/photographing adult content and also those where it was not their primary function however they do permit it.
In these cases you are of course booking the space in good faith that they have taken care of legalities.
In most cases, many are on industrial estates or commercial blocks and while others around may be aware of the nature of what happens in the premises, discretion should still be exercised outside and in the surrounding area.
You should still only shoot content within the studio owners declared boundaries.
OTHER BUILDINGS WITH THE OWNERS CONSENT
As above. Same applies.
HOTELS/APARTMENTS/AIRBNB/ETC
The terms and conditions for most of these have a catch-all point about using their premises for commercial gain without permission.
Filming adult content comes under this.
But. A lot of places *know* but don’t care.
Providing you don’t disturb guests/neighbours, draw attention to yourself, make it obvious, or do anything which could damage their reputation.
Some places DO care. And if they catch you, either at the time or after the fact, they have a lot of rights.
They can ban you from the premises/site/chain, they can ask you to leave, they can call the police.
They may even seek damages or compensation.
And someone who doesn’t care, may become someone who does care if you draw attention to yourself or make it overly obvious what you’re doing and where.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The ideal, of course, is to use the studios which are set up who welcome adult content. As well as knowing you can film with one less stress, this is also supporting those who are working within the industry.
However, Of course. This is often prohibitive depending on your geographical location, travel costs, hire costs, availability, so on.
If you are somewhere where you don’t really have permission to shoot, keep things discreet and a low profile. Don’t have more guests than the room booking, avoid large groups and don’t have multiple performers come and go.
Make sure those you are filming with also respect the discretion. Respect the property you are in. And if it is your own home, make sure other performers will respect your home and neighbours.
The larger a group, the more likely it is to draw attention. This is regardless of if it is done as one large booking, or multiple smaller ones.
Be especially cautious on using unique or easily identifiable locations.
While ‘location release forms’ aren’t required or standard practice, if you can get one signed by the property owner it future proofs your shoot.
If something doesn’t feel right, bail. Losing money on an abandoned shoot is safer in the long run.