Car driving: rigging a camera to hood of a car legal?

[omar robles]

Just wondering if anyone knows the legal aspects of filming a car driving scene with a car rigged to the hood of a car? We want to film a car driving shot with the camera positioned outside the hood of a car filming the talent driving. We are low budget so we cant afford a camera car or cops to accompany us. I just dont want to get a ticket for something that is not allowed.

thanks

 

[Stacey Spears]

Might help if you mentioned country, state and city you are located in. You can also try contacting the local film office in your city.

 

[ericyoung]

Modern vehicles are designed to minimise damage to pedestrians wherever possible in the event of a collision - avoiding hard edged protrusions. Anything more than a lightweight plastic GoPro camera and mounting could compromise that safety design, and potentially get you in trouble in the event of either being stopped by police or an accident.

The type of road, the type of vehicle, the speed of travel, what car manoeuvres are required, the road and weather conditions, other road users, the camera type and weight, the type of car mount used, and type of safety tethering, will all affect how safe or not the shots are.

You have to consider what might happen in an accident. Does your camera & mount become a lethal projectile or impact point? Bear in mind, that it may well also affect whether you are covered by insurance too.

Best to follow local laws & filming guidelines as Stacey says. Or just use a GoPro 3 or 4.

 

[omar robles]

I am shooting in los angeles. What about a blackmagic pocket camera?

 

[Chris McKechnie]

Never been bothered in LA...may want to have a permit though in case you're stopped by the Police. Although if you're just using a pocket camera, you could probably even get away without a permit.

 

[omar robles]

Chris you have rigged a red on the hood of a car?

 

[PatrickFaith]

I'd worry much more about liability on a accident (on a uncontrolled production shoot) then an officer stopping you.

 

[Chris McKechnie]

Chris you have rigged a red on the hood of a car?

Yes, in multiple situations. Most have had permits. You can get away with it off the beaten path, but you're asking for it if you're right in the heart of LA. Make sure you have liability insurance too!

 

[ericyoung]

Yes, in multiple situations. Most have had permits. You can get away with it off thereafter path, but you're asking for it if you're right in the heart of LA. Make sure you have liability insurance too!

I'm guessing they weren't permits to rig a Red on the hood of a car self-driven by actors on a multi-lane public LA highway?

We'd have to have a low-loader or specialised tow vehicle in the UK once we got into bigger cameras & car mounts, especially being driven by actors trying to remember lines & giving a performance!

 

[ericyoung]

I am shooting in los angeles. What about a blackmagic pocket camera?

Without knowing your local LA laws & regulations, you may get away with a Pocket. Personally I would avoid the highway if your shot doesn't require it. Shooting on smaller, low speed, local roads is much safer. if you can, rig it with a low profile suction mount without hard sharp protrusions., such as hard mounting plates/cages/grip arms.

If it's a single suction mount, use lots of gaffer tape to tape the suction cup down as a secondary safety in case the cup loses suction. Use gaffer tape over the top to brace the camera against vibration rather than grip arms/rods.