Thank you for choosing the Town of Thunderbolt Chatham County for your film location needs.
Checklist For Professional Permits
- Register your project by completing the Savannah Regional Film Commission Project Registration Form. The Film Commission will reply with further details.
- Thunderbolt Film Production Application submitted in its entirety a least five business days prior to beginning of activity for consideration by the Town Administrator.
- Permit Application Fee.
- Upload Notification Letter and distribute on YELLOW paper at least 48hrs in advance of filming activity per location. For an example of a notification letter, please click HERE.
Warning
Failure of the production company to comply with the Savannah Regional Film Commission guidelines and conditions set forth in each permit, or the use of any location not specified in the permit, shall give the City of Thunderbolt grounds to revoke the permit or take other restrictive actions as necessary.
Notification of Affected Businesses and Residents
The production company is responsible for notifying all businesses and residents affected by the filming activity as per the Savannah Regional Film Commission guidelines. Notification shall take place following the Town of Thunderbolt’s review of the application and no less than two business days prior to the planned activity.
The Town of Thunderbolt reserves the right to deny or revoke permits where insufficient time has been allowed for proper notification, or when the notification process has been improperly applied.
Upload Notification Letter and distribute on YELLOW paper at least 48hrs in advance of filming activity per location. For an example of a notification letter, please click HERE
Permit Fees
Productions taking place for six (6) or more days or productions that require activity which includes more than two (2) street closures, traffic control, limit access to the sidewalks and / or access on the water shall complete and submit the application at least thirty (30) days prior to a regularly scheduled Town Council meeting. Monthly Town Council meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month.
| Type of Production | Base Permit Fee |
|---|---|
| Student Permit (with proof of insurance) | $25 |
| Still Photography/Documentary (no city services) | $100 |
| Commercial | $250 |
| Corporate Video | $250 |
| Music Video | $275 |
| Television Show | $350 |
| Feature Film | $500 |
| Drone Fee Per Location | $125 |
Rush Fees
| Rush Fee per Location | Fee |
|---|---|
| Within 72 hours of Production | $75 |
| Within 48 hours of Production | $75 |
| Within 24 hours of Production | $300 |
Police / Fire Fees
| Type of fee per hour | Fee |
|---|---|
| Police Staff Per Officer | $50/hr |
| Police Staff Per Supervisor | $75/hr |
| Fire Staff Per Firefighter | $50/hr |
| Fire Staff Per Supervisor | $75/hr |
| Fire Marshall (4-hour minimum) | $40/hr |
| City Vehicle | $10/hr |
Other Fees
| Type of Fee | Fee |
|---|---|
| On Site City Staff Per Day | $100 – $300 |
| City Facility Rental Per Day (City Hall, Community Center, Fire Dept, Parks, etc.) | $500 |
| Parking Fee Per Vehicle | $2 |
| Overweight/Extended Length Truck Per Vehicle Roundtrip | $250 |
NOTE: The production company is responsible to pay an additional non-refundable $500 to have a Special Called Council Meeting arranged in order to expedite consideration of the application.
For More on Permitting, please contact:
Deatre Denion
Town Clerk / Planning / Zoning and Permitting Officer
Main Office: 912.629.4652
ddenion@thunderboltga.org
2821 River Drive, Thunderbolt, GA 31404