Filming in Auroville

Filming in Auroville

The terms ‘filming'/‘film' used in this document cover all forms of audio-visual recordings for broadcast or screening, including those for new media transmission/outlets.

Filming in Auroville requires official authorisation for both Indian and non-Indian productions. The Government of India, through its Ministry of External Affairs, prescribes a specific procedure to obtain permission for documentary filming in India . OutreachMedia is instrumental in this process. Its ‘Letter of Recommendation' is crucial to starting the process towards obtaining the official authorisation.

Letter of recommendation

The ‘Letter of Recommendation', addressed to the Auroville Foundation and issued by the OutreachMedia team, is the crucial document for your filming in Auroville. In order to issue this letter OutreachMedia needs to be fully informed of your intentions, so as to be able to recommend the application and set the wheels in motion. This applies to both Indian and non-Indian applicants.

For this purpose, send us a detailed synopsis/letter of intent of your film including duration, target audience, composition of the filming crew, equipment to be used, hosting channel, dates of shooting, etc, along with as much information as possible regarding the intent and motivation of the applicant. Please be aware that the original synopsis given in the application needs to be adhered to as the permission given is only for what is submitted in the synopsis.

Please note that mere submission of the application doesn't amount to authorisation. OutreachMedia will exercise its discretion in approving the application.

Official requirements

Indian applicants

Indian applicants require permission to film from the Auroville Foundation. This permission is based on the recommendation of Auroville OutreachMedia, which acts as the liaison body between the applicant and the Auroville Foundation office.

Having gone through the preliminary investigations and dialogue with the applicant, OutreachMedia will in due course supply the following documents to the Auroville Foundation:

•  The applicant's request to film in Auroville, including data such as synopsis, target audience, composition of filming crew, equipment to be used, hosting channel, etc.

•  The applicant's agreement to abide by OutreachMedia's 'Filming terms'

•  OutreachMedia's ‘Letter of Recommendation', requesting the Auroville Foundation to further process the application.

Non-Indian applicants

Non-Indian applicants will have to obtain permission for filming in Auroville from the Indian Embassy/Consulate/High Commission in their home country as well as from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs through the Auroville Foundation. This latter permission is based on the recommendation of Auroville OutreachMedia, which acts as the liaison body between the applicant and the Auroville Foundation office.

Having gone through the preliminary investigations and dialogue with the applicant, OutreachMedia will in due course supply the following documents to the Auroville Foundation:

1. Applicant's request to film in Auroville, addressed to the Auroville Foundation through the OutreachMedia Service, including data such as synopsis, target audience, duration of film, composition of filming crew, equipment to be used, hosting channel, etc.
2. Authorisation from the Embassy/Consulate/High Commission of India in the home country of applicant, which has been obtained by the applicant and sent to OutreachMedia.
3. The Government of India's ‘Undertaking' document
   (go to http://meaindia.nic.in/ , then click on tab:  Documentary Filming in India ), duly signed as specified by India 's Ministry of External Affairs, and sent to OutreachMedia, along with a copy of the relevant page in the passport of the applicant as proof of the signature in the Undertaking document.
4. The applicant's agreement to abide by OutreachMedia's ‘Filming terms'.
5. OutreachMedia's letter of recommendation, requesting the Auroville Foundation to further process the application.

The above procedure may take months, so it is important to allow adequate time!

Procedure

As soon as the Auroville Foundation gives the green light, OutreachMedia will assist the applicant and his/her crew with general logistics, such as co-selection of interviewees, scheduling of shooting, location selection, etc. Much can be organised beforehand via email or phone so that things are prepared when the crew arrives. As per the provisions of the Government of India's ‘Undertaking' document, a member of OutreachMedia will act as liaison and will escort the crew throughout the filming.

It is important to note that this procedure applies also to the filming of a pilot/trailer to an intended documentary.

January 2009