XN000022-1995-07-17 — Page 12

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For example, the Police has produced a set of advisory guidelines for film producers, setting out what activities are not allowed on location shooting and what activities need special approval by the Commissioner of Police or other authorities. Last year, the Police approved 97.5 per cent of the 20,677 requests and applications for location shooting permits. Those rejected were mainly applications which might pose unnecessary danger to the public or caused confusion or disorder in public places.

The guidelines also give advice to film producers of the appropriate actions and response in case of extortion. To deal with the problem of violence and triad infiltration in the film industry, a special team was established under the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau in 1992.

The two municipal councils also have specific guidelines on film location shootings in places managed by them. Statistics show that over 60 requests for location shooting at the Hong Kong Culture Centre, City Hall and Hong Kong Coliseum were approved in the past two years.

Furthermore, the Information Services Department is producing a handy guide to provide easy reference on procedures and regulations on location shooting.

As regards calls for Government assistance in the overseas promotion of local films, the representatives were told that the Trade and Industry Branch had commissioned a consultancy study on the overall promotion of Hong Kong services.

It was noted that a number of film industry associations such as the Movie Producers and Distributors Association and the Motion Picture Industry Association have been invited to give their views on the recommendations made in the report concerning the film industry.

Following a two-hour meeting, the Government representatives agreed to incorporate the film industry representatives' views into a revised report, setting out the very strong reasons why they would like to establish a Film Commission and what role it is expected to play. Attempt will also be made to quantify the financial resources required.

This report is expected to be completed in two months' time and further consultation with the film industry and interested Legislative Council members will be made.

End/Monday, July 17, 1995