Signs were posted over the weekend around Monroe Place and Pierrepont Street informing residents that the CBS drama ‘Hostages’ would be filming in the area today.
The BHA’s Judy Stanton tells us that the towing permit for the shoot was denied by the mayor’s office yesterday. The production company has changed the signs to reflect the change, but are still putting down cones to hold spaces. This act, Stanton tells us, would likely suggest the threat of towing if one were to park there. Stanton says, “The truth is that they won’t be towed if they refuse to cooperate.”
How do you know what the deal is when a film shoot is coming to the neighborhood? Stanton says, ” The way it works is that when a sign says “VTU Permit Yes” – [Update: signs no longer carry this message, see next paragraph] it means that the Film Office has given permission to tow, and the production company is paying for the towing. A lot of productions don’t have the budget for towing and they know that Brooklyn Heights residents tend to be very compliant and cooperative about moving their cars. When the signs say “VTU Permit: No” it means towing has not been permitted by the Film Office and people cannot (or should not) be coerced to move.”
Still confused? Stanton sent us this clarification after this post was publshed. “The posted signs will use the towing word and specify either “car will be towed” or “car must be moved”. The sign color has no significance anymore. When the towing word is missing from a posted film shoot sign, the film company cannot tow cars that remain parked.”
