The guy with the flash thinks this policy's trash.
The public will no longer be allowed to leaf through the weekly stack of city film permits - a longtime treasure-trove for celebrity-hunting paparazzi - at the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting.
Instead, starting Dec. 1, anyone who wants to see the permits, which detail when and where movies, TV shows and ads are being made, must request them in writing under the Freedom of Information Law.
Mayoral spokesman Andrew Brent said the film office is committed to turning over requested documents within a week.
Christopher Peterson, a photog with Buzz Foto agency, fretted that by the time the agency gives up the info the lights, cameras and action may be long gone.
"If you shut down Fifth Ave. so Angelina Jolie can [film a movie], you're not entitled to think you can just sort of cloak it and keep it from people," he said.
The 15-year-old policy of letting the public leaf through the permit pile is being changed in part because of staffing issues, office space constraints and complaints about copies being pocketed - not complaints from the stars, officials said.
The permits "were essential to a number of people making a living," said freelancer Dennis Van Tine, who has photographed news and celebs in the city for 13 years.
It's not just the paparazzi who call the change questionable. "Access to that information should be as easily and readily available as possible," said AP Senior Managing Editor Michael Oreskes.
The public will no longer be allowed to leaf through the weekly stack of city film permits - a longtime treasure-trove for celebrity-hunting paparazzi - at the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting.
Instead, starting Dec. 1, anyone who wants to see the permits, which detail when and where movies, TV shows and ads are being made, must request them in writing under the Freedom of Information Law.
Mayoral spokesman Andrew Brent said the film office is committed to turning over requested documents within a week.
Christopher Peterson, a photog with Buzz Foto agency, fretted that by the time the agency gives up the info the lights, cameras and action may be long gone.
"If you shut down Fifth Ave. so Angelina Jolie can [film a movie], you're not entitled to think you can just sort of cloak it and keep it from people," he said.
The 15-year-old policy of letting the public leaf through the permit pile is being changed in part because of staffing issues, office space constraints and complaints about copies being pocketed - not complaints from the stars, officials said.
The permits "were essential to a number of people making a living," said freelancer Dennis Van Tine, who has photographed news and celebs in the city for 13 years.
It's not just the paparazzi who call the change questionable. "Access to that information should be as easily and readily available as possible," said AP Senior Managing Editor Michael Oreskes.
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