Frequently Asked Questions
Explore Minnesota Film is here to help ensure the success of your project. Here is everything you need to know about rules and regulations, health and safety, weather patterns, guilds and unions, and green productions.
Green Production Checklist
- Reduce diesel generator use when possible
- Contact MnSEIA or CERTs for solar/battery options
- Partner with organizations (such as Second Harvest Heartland's MealConnect) to donate surplus meals
- Pre-arrange packaging and temperature-safe handling for donations
- Book hotels with recycling, linen reuse, and bulk amenities
- Prioritize locations with transit access to reduce crew driving
- Provide clearly labeled bins: recycling, compost, landfill
- Use city or county organics programs (e.g., Hennepin County Organics)
- Contact companies for zero-waste and organics setup (e.g., Eureka Recycling)
- Consult the Minnesota Composting Council, a directory of residential and drop-off collection programs and composter networks that can help productions set up on-site organics pickup
- Assign a Green Steward to track waste, energy and donations
- Report results for incentives and PR (waste diversion, food donated, hours without diesel)
- Plan salvage before strike: redirect lumber, paint, props
- Use Minnesota PCA (Pollution Control Agency) reuse/recycling resources for C&D (construction and demolition) materials
- Choose caterers with sustainable practices
- Request compostable/reusable dishware and local/seasonal menus
Local vendors who follow sustainable practices include:
Guilds & Unions
The International Cinematographers Guild represents the most talented camera professionals and publicists in the world.
Contact: Ashurina Atto, Central Region Business Representative, Chicago
IATSE 600
Phone: 312.940.3570
Email: [email protected]
Local 219 has trained theatre projectionists, audio, video, and A/V technicians for all your show needs in Minnesota.
Contact: Davin Anderson, Business Agent
Phone: 612.868.9711
Email: [email protected]
Local 490 supports studio films, local TV and advertising productions.
To join Local 490, contact the membership committee.
Rates and contracts:
Contact: Kellie Larson, Business Agent
Phone: 612.393.0550
Email: [email protected]
SAG-AFTRA membership and contract services and support for the Twin Cities Local are provided by the Chicago office.
Teamsters Local 638 represents over 5,000 members in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Meet your Local 638 Team.
Contact: Scott Lecy, Secretary Treasurer
Phone: 612.379.1533
Email: [email protected]
Health & Safety
Explore Minnesota Film calls on all production companies filming in the state to have a workplace harassment prevention policy in place to provide a work environment free from discrimination and harassment based on race, religion, national origin, color, sex, age, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected activity or class under state or federal law.
Learn about your rights and how to make a complaint under Minnesota’s Human Rights Act. Employers can also find resources and information available there.
Minnesota's Workers' Compensation Division strives to create an environment where injured workers receive benefits and services promptly.
Have any workers' compensation questions? Contact one of the following offices for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Compliance, Records and Training, the Special Compensation Fund, and Vocational Rehabilitation:
- St. Paul: 651.284.5032 or 800.342.5354 and press 3
- Duluth: 218.733.7810 or 800.342.5354 and press 3
- Email: [email protected]
For more workers' compensation reporting requirements around fatalities and serious injuries, please contact 651.284.5041.
Maps & Weather
The Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources Site has tons of detailed and interesting maps for all of Minnesota's ecological, topographical, and natural features. You can even create your own customized map of Minnesota based on your production needs!
Here's a detailed guide to fall colors around the state, including peak dates and locations in all five regions.
Month-by-month precipitation facts for Minnesota can be found here.
The definition of lake ice-out can vary from lake to lake. For citizen observers reporting data, ice-out occurs when the lake is completely free of ice. Or, it may be when it is possible to navigate from point A to point B. Ice-out may also be defined as when a lake is 90% free of ice.
Rules & Regulations
American Humane monitors animals in filmed media and holds the exclusive right to award its No Animals Were Harmed® end-credit certification to productions that meet its rigorous standard of care for animal actors.
Federal and state child labor laws apply to the employment of minors on set. Details of Minnesota's youth labor laws.
The information below is excerpted from the current Minnesota Child Labor Standards Act. More information can be found at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
A minor under age 14 may not be employed, except as:
- a newspaper carrier (at least 11 years of age)
- in agriculture (at least 12 years of age and with parental/guardian consent)
- an actor, actress or model
- a youth athletic program referee (at least 11 years of age and with parental/guardian consent)
Age and hours of work
A minor less than 16 years of age may not work:
- before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m.* with the exception of a newspaper carrier;
- for more than 40 hours a week or more than eight hours per 24-hour period*, except in agriculture;
- on school days during school hours, without an employment certificate issued by the school district superintendent (Minnesota Statutes 181A.05).
*During the school year, federal law restricts hours to no later than 7 p.m., no more than three hours a day and not more than 18 hours a week.
A minor age 16 or 17 years old:
- By state law, 16- and 17-year-old high school students may not work after 11 p.m. on evenings before school days or before 5 a.m. on school days.
- With written permission from a parent or guardian, these hours may be expanded to 11:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. No other limit is set for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Contact: Minnesota Department of Labor Standards
Phone: 651.284.5075 or 800.342.5354
Email: [email protected]
Explore Minnesota Film is a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI). The association's Filmmaker Code of Conduct was developed and adopted by its members to encourage best practices in our industry.
PROPER LOCATION IDENTIFICATION
When filming in a neighborhood or business district, proper notification is to be provided to each merchant or neighbor who is directly affected by the company (this includes parking, base camps, and meal areas). The filming notice should include the following:
Name of company.
Name of the production.
Kind of production (e.g. feature film, television movie, tv pilot, commercial, etc.).
Type of activity and duration (i.e., times, dates & number of days, including prep and strike).
Company contact (first AD, Unit Production Manager, Location Manager, and phone number).
Contact name and number at Minnesota Film and TV.
Include any required notification from the municipality.
PRODUCTION VEHICLES
Shall not enter the area before the time stipulated in the permit.
Park one by one.
Turn off engines as soon as possible.
Shall observe designated parking areas.
Shall not park production vehicles in or block driveways without the express permission of the municipal jurisdiction of the driveway owner.
Shall leave at the designated time.
VEHICLES/TOWING
Moving or towing of the public's vehicles is prohibited without the express permission of the municipal jurisdiction or the owner of the vehicle.
CAST & CREW MEALS
Meals shall be confined to the area designated in the location agreement or permit.
All trash must be disposed of properly upon completion of the meal.
Remember to use the proper receptacles for disposal of all napkins, plates, and coffee cups that you may use in the general course of the working day.
BOUNDARIES
Do not trespass onto other neighbors' or merchants' property.
Remain within the boundaries of the property that has been permitted for filming.
VEGETATION
Removing, trimming and/or cutting of vegetation or trees is prohibited unless approved by the permit authority or property owner.
SIGNAGE
All signs erected or removed for filming purposes will be removed or replaced upon completion of the use of that location unless otherwise stipulated by the location agreement or permit. Please remove all signs posted to direct the company to the location.
NOISE
Every member of the cast and crew shall keep noise levels as low as possible and will refrain from the use of lewd or improper language within earshot of the general public.
IDENTIFICATION
Every member of the crew shall wear a production pass (badge) when issued.
Do not wear clothing that lacks common sense and good taste. Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times unless otherwise directed.
POSTERS
Crew members shall not display signs, posters, or pictures on vehicles that do not reflect common sense or good taste (e.g. pin-up posters).
SET VISITS
The cast and crew shall not bring guests or pets to the location unless expressly authorized in advance by the Company.
TRASH
All catering, craft service, construction, strike, and personal trash must be removed from the location.
SMOKING
Observe designated smoking areas and always extinguish cigarettes in butt cans.
TIME PROVISIONS
The Company will comply at all times with the provisions of the filming permit.
The FAA provides the latest details on drones and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for motion picture production.
The local Minnesota FAA office requests that you read and review the website above in its entirety before contacting their office.
If you have read through the website and still have questions, contact the Minneapolis Flight Standards District Office at 612.253.4400.
The Federal Aviation Administration published these rulings for drone hobbyists on June 21, 2016: faapart107summary.pdf
Know Before You Fly is an education campaign founded by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), in partnership with the FAA, to educate prospective users about the safe and responsible operation of unmanned aircraft systems. It's a good resource for anyone working (or playing) with drones.
MINNESOTA REQUIRES ELECTRICAL INSPECTION OF FILM SHOOTS & PRODUCTION
All electrical wiring and equipment for on-location filming, filmmaking productions, and similar projects requires inspection. Portable and vehicle-mounted generators and portable electrical distribution systems are required to be inspected. Additions or alterations to premises wiring systems, permanent electrical infrastructure, or other fixed wiring systems are also required to be separately inspected.
Equipment shall be inspected and be in compliance before it is energized and put into use.
Complete details of required electrical inspection
Contact: Dean Hunter, Assistant Chief Electrical Inspections
MN Department of Labor and Industry
443 Lafayette Road North
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Phone: 218.770.1263
Email: [email protected]
In May 2019, the Minnesota Legislature passed a new Wage Theft Prevention Act to create additional protections for workers, including the addition of criminal penalties for employers who commit wage theft. Wage theft occurs when employers fail to pay their workers what is owed to them for the work they have performed.
Contact: Jim Huntzicker, Fire Inspections Coordinator
Chief Steward AFSCME, Local 9
Phone: 612.201.2624
Email: [email protected]
The Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program
Contact: Customer Service for Applicants
Phone: Twin Cities area: 651.296.3644
Greater Minnesota: 877.898.9090
TTY users: 866.814.1252
Minnesota unemployment insurance rates vary depending on how long a company has been doing business in Minnesota. Please visit the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Tax Rate page for specifics.
Contact: Customer Service for Employers
Phone: 651.296.6141 (Press 4 to speak to a representative)
TTY users: 866.814.1252
Live weapons are strongly discouraged, and industry-recommended gun safety protocols must be followed. Please comply with industry guidelines recommended by the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee for the Motion Picture and Television Industry.
Production must notify the local police department of public brandishing of weapons and prop firearms in advance of the scene being filmed. Notify area residents and business owners to prevent misunderstandings and ensure public safety.
Secure necessary permits and documentation. Obtain any required permits for filming with firearms and maintain documentation that outlines safety measures and protocols. This documentation should detail the types of weapons used, safety procedures in place, and contact information for key personnel