About - Chicago Filming

Whether you are a location scout, a freelance crew member seeking job leads, or a local resident tracking neighborhood activity, we provide a clean, real-time dashboard of the city’s production landscape.

Real-Time Data

Daily updates on project names, work descriptions, and milestones.

Crew Intelligence

Access to applicant names and contact info for production inquiries.

Geospatial Mapping

Every permit is geocoded and displayed on an interactive map.

How It Works

Our dedicated Linux server executes a proprietary synchronization at 5:05 AM daily, pulling the latest data from the City of Chicago Data Portal.

The Production Pipeline

Data Retrieval: We pull the most recent DOT Special Event permits filtered specifically for “Filming.”
Geocoding: Missing coordinates are automatically processed via Google Maps API for precise placement.
Verification: We filter out incomplete or cancelled applications to show only actionable data.
Daily Alerting: At 6:05 AM, our “Daily Call Sheet” is dispatched to industry subscribers.

Monitored Data

Our system tracks 26 distinct data points per permit, including:

Project Identity: Name, Permit Number, Type.
Logistics: Dates, Work Descriptions, Ward location.
Street Impacts: Closures, staging, and parking.
The Lead: Applicant names, Studio origin, Emergency Contacts.