GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Pastors at several churches in Hall county want assurances that they will not have to pay permit fees if they film or videotape baptism ceremonies at Lake Lanier.
Hall county officials and the Lake Lanier Convention and Visitors Bureau are now drawing up permitting rules and regulations for film and television productions in the county.
“We want to have the freedom to worship and to gather. I wouldn't personally like the idea of having to apply for a permit that would impact that," said Westminister Church Pastor Stacey Cox.
Till now, the county hasn't needed permit rules and regulations for production work.
The pastor at Gainesville's Westminster Church told Channel 2’s Tom Regan he'd like assurances from county officials that non-profit religious organization will be exempt from permit rules on film and TV production.
The visitor’s bureau says they’re working on putting it in writing.
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"Nonprofits are exempt from that and that's new language that's been added,” said Stacey Dickson of the Lake Lanier Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Dickson told Regan the new permit process will enhance coordination and cooperation of movie productions.
“Basically know what filmed where, when, and what kind of public support they need," Dickson said.
And they will pay for that support.
“Any county services that's 100 percent reimbursable back to the county by the production,” Dickson told Regan. “We're really happy our location on Lake Lanier has made us a desirable spot for a lot of projects."
A major feature film production is set to be shot on Lake Lanier in April, but little is being said about what the production is and who will be in it.
Cox Media Group
