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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

New Side Handle. Shooting happened. Cops came. It was awkward.

Andrew PC Smith

Andrew PC Smith

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My first day out and about with the new side handle was incredible. It's extremely nice not to have to be tethered to a cord (cue: Free Bird) So there I was shooting some random shots outside a local grocery store, when in less than 5 minutes a cop drops by to question me for "suspicious behavior" while in the store's parking lot. Where I was just taking shots, and talking to a friend.

"Hey buddy, what you got there?"
"Well officer, this may be the only camera of it's kind in a 100-mile radius."
Then he listened very intently as I gave him a brief rundown on RED and HDRx. After that he looked me in the eye with a tinge of jealousy and said, "Carry on." Haha.

Then I had a harrowing thought: If I'm getting reported to local police within minutes of being on location, I can only imagine the kind of questions or stares I'm going to get when I'm out every other day.

What's your line when someone confronts you about shooting in a public place?
 
If I'm sneakin around I'm exceedingly polite. I tell them all the details of the project, real excited like, so they feel like they're now a part of something fun and not dangerous.

If its production's fault but we have to get the shot, I'm firm and a bit of an ass if I need to be. When security guards threaten cops and say I HAVE TO DO MY JOB i try to be calm and say I have to do mine

If someone big says HEY I stop and leave
 
I'd say that it'j just a huge DSLR and I'm shooting some stills for fun :biggrin5:

If a cop realizes that you have a professional cinema camera in hand he may or may not ask you for an official permit to shoot in this area, cause from now on you are qualified as "professional cinema guy".

That's if you're alone or with a friend, having a fully rigged Scarlet with bricks and a crew of 10 around it is a whole other situation)
 
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Demetri Zuev said:
I'd say that it's just a huge DSLR and I'm shooting some stills for fun :biggrin5: If a cop realizes that you have a professional cinema camera in hand he may or may not ask you for an official permit to shoot in this area, cause from now on you are qualified as "professional cinema guy".
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You're right, that's a pretty great line; unless you have it fully rigged out with rails and a matte box. Oh darn, I guess I'll have to get a production budget now, huh? =)

 
Steve Das said:
It is both......It is a public place...that most likely is on privately owned property.
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Its private property that has public access. This doesn't grant you the right to shoot without the owners permission.
Even true public property may require a permit, you should always check before shooting.
 
Greg M said:
Its private property that has public access. This doesn't grant you the right to shoot without the owners permission.
Even true public property may require a permit, you should always check before shooting.
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+1, If this was in LA they would have escorted you out and watched you drive away. I know, I've been there with a Red One haha. You have to be careful because by definition the camera is "professional" and not amateur. It sucks, I get kicked out of places all the time or at least hassled.

Also be careful because by law the Police can confiscate your gear if you don't have a permit. (Usually their lenient but you never know)
 
And I thought cops were bad in LA! One thing I've learned from my experience with cops, park patrols, etc is that you should ALWAYS eject your media and put it away elsewhere if you encounter any -- because you never know if you'll run into one that's having a really, really, bad day! lol

However, I was near a beautiful beach cliff in Big Sur, CA last weekend and had a small crew around me and my Scarlet, fully rigged out on a jib. Cop came, asked questions, I insisted that it's only a few shots for a wedding video, and he moved on. The wedding video and/or personal use excuses work for me 90% of the time. :)
 
Prince Bagdasarian said:
And I thought cops were bad in LA! One thing I've learned from my experience with cops, park patrols, etc is that you should ALWAYS eject your media and put it away elsewhere if you encounter any -- because you never know if you'll run into one that's having a really, really, bad day! lol

However, I was near a beautiful beach cliff in Big Sur, CA last weekend and had a small crew around me and my Scarlet, fully rigged out on a jib. Cop came, asked questions, I insisted that it's only a few shots for a wedding video, and he moved on. The wedding video and/or personal use excuses work for me 90% of the time. :)
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Good call on hiding your media! A friend of mine was shooting a scene on train tracks and lost almost an entire day of shooting to a cop in a sour mood.

I can imagine the "wedding video" excuse going down... "Then why is everyone dressed up in civil war uniforms?"

Although, I do remember one of my film buddies used to say every shoot was a "student music video". Quite brilliant, we were polite and we got to make noise and shoot a lot of places we probably would've been kicked out of otherwise.
 
Andrew PC Smith said:
Good call on hiding your media! A friend of mine was shooting a scene on train tracks and lost almost an entire day of shooting to a cop in a sour mood.

I can imagine the "wedding video" excuse going down... "Then why is everyone dressed up in civil war uniforms?"

Although, I do remember one of my film buddies used to say every shoot was a "student music video". Quite brilliant, we were polite and we got to make noise and shoot a lot of places we probably would've been kicked out of otherwise.
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"Then why is everyone dressed up in civil war uniforms?" HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA That's hilarious!

And yup, student music video works too. Couple years ago, I shot a short film that screened at my wedding...using SD cameras we were okay with breaking and such. Check out this lil documentary about all the "guerrilla shooting" we did. Looking back at it now -- I was nuts! lol
( http://vimeo.com/20145651 )
 
Carey Lee Coffey said:
I tell 'em I'm shooting a student film, if I have lights and a crew. If I'm solo, I just say I'm an amateur photographer.
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I was a student, and so was the crew, but that didn't matter without a permit. Im sure there are times you'll get away with it, but not every time. It all depends on the police officer or the people who called the cops on you.

For a real shoot just be safe and get permits. It will save a potential headache aka disaster.

If it's just a personal project and your solo, go for it. Just be careful...
 
What if this lady comes out? Oh shit... "I've had it with you illegal fertografers!!!"

Just give her your calling card...

 
Trevor Meeks said:
What if this lady comes out? Oh shit... "I've had it with you illegal fertografers!!!"

Just give her your calling card...

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that was one of the most entertaining video's I've seen in a while. WOW!

Look out for her
 
O
Trevor Meeks said:
What if this lady comes out? Oh shit... "I've had it with you illegal fertografers!!!"

Just give her your calling card..

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So that's where skrillex got the "call 911 now" sample from!!!!!!
 
Greg M said:
A Grocery Store parking lot is not a public place, its private property.
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That is correct. I shot news for 8 years, and even if the area was a public concourse, if it is private property, if you are asked to leave, you must do so, or you are trespassing at that point. Malls were a particular problem as well. You do not need a permit to do non commercial photography, or to shoot news on public property. That doesn't mean cops don't use their arrest powers, or just the threat of it illegally. I ignored a cop trying to get me to stop shooting once, and he grabbed me and pulled me away from what I was shooting, very likely the result of excessive force. I kept rolling. We brought it to the chief of police. The cop was reprimanded, and might think twice of it next time. Sorry, I just really bristle every time I hear a cop does that. One of the most important freedoms we have.
 
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