Photo: “Symmetrical View of an Empty Escalator” by Michael DiMartino from Pexels.
RISKS
There are many risks to filming the subway including: proximity to moving trains and crowds, navigating people who rely on the stations for housing or who are struggling with mental health complications, not to mention the deadly third rail, hygienic concerns, or the old, aging infrastructure. Still, there are many stations to choose from and good qualities outweigh the bad. If your team wants to work on the tracks or in tunnels, a track safety course from the MTA during prep is mandatory to ensure “that the crew and actors will learn proper procedures to protect themselves against possible track dangers, as well as about being next to moving trains (NYC, 2025).” For my micro-budget short film, Nana, which had a zero dialogue scene on a moving-train - my needs were simpler. Even though the MTA Office of Film & Special Events has, “worked with TV and film crews for decades, and have met every kind of demanding technical, logistical, and scheduling requirement (NYC, 2025)” a minimum of three weeks lead time would be required to speak with them and I had days, not weeks, to prepare.
FILMING WITHOUT A PERMIT
Permits are seen as undesirable and cumbersome to indie filmmakers who often feel it’s a waste of their time and money which was tight to begin with. Luckily, bare bones film crews don’t need a permit if they are “(1) using hand-held camera, props, or equipment, (2) not asserting exclusive use of City property, (3) not using prop-weapons or -vehicles, stunts, actors in police uniform and (4) not requesting parking privileges for production vehicles (NYC, 2025).” In 2023, I received a grant that would kickstart production of my first short film titled Nana. In the script, I had a scene was just that simple: our lead would scroll a dating app on her phone while commuting home before exiting the train at her stop. I moved forward without a permit and scouted stations before our shoot day finding a clean, safe, above ground route and platform where we could film with natural light during a time that avoided crowds. I was able to safely direct my team, who complete with their hand-held boom mics, reflectors, slate, and camera went through the turnstiles and rolled. We filmed out scene and then conveniently rode back to set without any issues.
Photo: (Below) Behind-the-scenes of filming a scene in Nana. Used with permission, courtesy of Hillary Carrigan.
FILMING WITH A PERMIT (AND INSURANCE)
“It's your own little world down there... You have full control” - Anthony Ertle
Permits have a bad reputation amongst amateurs or low-budgets, but for teams who are going after more access, larger stunts, creative or complex angles - they come to expect them and rightfully so. Permits grant not only safety, security, and access - but also control. Anthony Ertle, a Unit PA on The Night Agent (a TV-Series created for Netflix), spoke with me about his experience on a High Budget Majors project based in New York City which filmed with the MTA on the subway. “It's your own little world down there [on the platform], like a soundstage. You have full control” Anthony shared. Less pressure and no strangers or pedestrians on-set bring a professional atmosphere which allows crew to make the most with their time. Projects with permits are not simply given a piece of paper and given a go-ahead: they are in collaboration with the MTA. Anthony recounted that, “for the shoot, they are essentially like crew members who work for the production.” Need the train to move on cue? Your team can provide a walkie-talkie to your designated MTA Train Operator. Need a straggler to be escorted off-set? Police are on-site. It can also open up new possibilities for location managers. Ertle added that the MTA had connected them with Grand Central Terminal, which allowed access after hours to mitigate gaping tourists and commuters for an additional scene. Buses, trains, historical bridges, commuter lines to and from suburban locations, and secured station platforms specifically used for filming purposes are all on the table: but only for productions going through the permit process. What's the catch? Money. Anthony estimated that "a minimum of six-figures for your budget…" is the type of project the MTA is used to working with, but don't let that stop you from reaching out if you have perhaps five figures, are insured, and have a project which is affiliated with a SAG-AFTRA.
conclusion
The MTA’s subway system is as diverse as their commuters. Whatever your budget and circumstances, you can create the film you envision, so long as you keep the safety of your cast and crew in the forefront of your mind. If working the MTA is right for your next film, at least three weeks out, production must include: a letter of intent, a script, a storyboard and most importantly insurance to the MTA Office of Film & Special Events. Click here to link to an overview of what’s needed for filming on MTA properties and click here to link to more info as to when a permit is required. Finally, notable for small productions who are working on period-pieces or have vintage or retro production design: The New York Transit Museum is currently open to filming requests on Mondays and Tuesdays: click here for more information from The Museum including their film request form.
Good luck!
Photo: (Below) Behind-the-scenes of crew filming a scene in Nana. Used with permission, courtesy of Hillary Carrigan.
REFERENCES
BFI. (2022, July 14). 10 great films set at train stations. BFI. https://www.bfi.org.uk/lists/10-great-films-set-train-stations
Myers, A [Andy Meyers]. 2020, Feb. 6. [Actual 4K Scan] The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station - Lumière Brothers - 1896. [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FAj9fJQRZA
NYC. (2025). When a Permit is Required and Fee Info. Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. https://www.nyc.gov/site/mome/permits/when-permit-required.page
Filming on MTA properties. MTA. (n.d.). https://www.mta.info/doing-business-with-us/filming
Four still images from the film and two behind-the-scenes photographs from Nana are courtesy of Hillary Carrigan and used with permission.