Filming in Prolific Club

Slimothy

Slimothy

Veteran
Hello,
I have a question and am totally clueless as to how these things work. I've got some stuff I need to shoot inside a club, specifically in Vegas. I need to do it in the clubs that are located inside the casinos. It will not be scripted style stuff, mainly me following around a guy w/ a camera in my hands. What would I have to do? Would I need insurance? What are my chances of getting the club's permission? What are the stipulations they usually have in order for you to film there?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Tim.
 
I would say just sneak the camera in.

Hell, you might not even need to do that. They might not stop you.
 
I thought of that, but it won't be quite that inconspicuous. Matter of fact, there will be like 3 cameras. All probably, the DVX. Maybe mounted w/ some kind of light or something.
 
Ask the club's permission. If they have something to gain from it - such as good publicity - then they'll probably give you permission. If it seems like you're from a big production company or a TV station, then they won't even ask if you have insurance.
 
Ain't there that scene in Swingers where they talkin' bout how hard it is to film in a casino? Might go down better if you were actually staying at the casino, spending cash there. Good luck, brother.
 
why dose it have to be a casino club. You can't shoot the gaming floor so what would be the difference in just shooting at a club that is a stand alone like ICE in vegas or Club Seven.
 
I will be staying at the casino. It does have to be the casino clubs though for reasons I can't explain. I can't talk too much about the project, but thanks so much for everyone's input. Any more advice/insight is thoroughly appreciated.

Tim.
 
Well Can you stage a shoot and make it look like the club was in a casino? Like shot the entrance but do the int. inside a different club? I just know how much a pain it is to shoot anything in a casino. And I can't remember right but I think in Nevada it is against the law to film the playing floor. But don't quote me on that.
 
Yeah man, not sure how feasible it's gonna be to do what you're trying to do. For club scenes I've had to shoot in some of my narrative work, I've done ext. shots wherever I wanted, and then I found a club owner who was real supportive of my no budget creative projects so he let me shoot in his club after last call. He even pointed out prospective "extras" for the scene from his patrons. He was very insistent on me getting verbal permission at the very least of everyone appearing on camera. It turned out really well. The DJ was more than happy to keep the lights and music going while I filmed and there were tons of drunk people totally willing to dance and cajole about for me. I'd say your best bet would be to substitute the casino clubs for a smaller place that'd be supportive of your artistic vision, but if it HAS to be at the casino, then the best of luck to you. Go guerilla style, shoot fast, get your shots and expect to get kicked out eventually. Just hide your tapes down your pants so they don't get confiscated!

Cheers,
Mikey
 
I'd say the substituting thing is your best bet.

Your chances of shooting in a real casino are slim -> none.

Security watches the floor from their overhead cams all the time. You'll never get a shot off.

They're probably worried primarily about people trying to figure how to rip them off, but no matter what you say, they're not going to give permission.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, but I think you're missing my question. The questions is: How likely am I to get permission? I'm not talking about tricking security, hiding cameras or any type of guerilla style.

Thanks, Tim.
 
Slimothy said:
How likely am I to get permission? I'm not talking about tricking security, hiding cameras or any type of guerilla style.
Click to expand...

No one here can answer that question. You may as well ask them. It would be good to pitch what you're doing to them in the best light possible. You never know, they might say yes.
 
Slimothy said:
Thanks for the advice guys, but I think you're missing my question. The questions is: How likely am I to get permission? I'm not talking about tricking security, hiding cameras or any type of guerilla style.

Thanks, Tim.
Click to expand...

That's a tough call. Depends on the project. You might want to approach one of the smaller casinos outside of Vegas.

Good luck. :thumbup:
 
I've heard that Vegas has turned around a lot on shooting in casinos since the swingers issue. then again it may just have been because they had no budget and names at the time. Swingers 2 won't have a problem.

You can shoot video in a casino with palmcorders and such so just keep the DVX's stripped down to the bare-bones. If it's not scripted and you're not giving direction then maybe you can get away with it.

I would call the casino first and ask what their rules are on camcorders. Don't say upfront what kind of camcorders.

Since you can't tell what it's about it must be a porn, so count me in. :)

EDIT: The club part is what's going to be tough. Not the casinos. Make friends with the manager as soon as you get into town. Don't take the camera on the first visit.
 
Joe Kras said:
but no matter what you say, they're not going to give permission.
Click to expand...
How can you be sure they won't give permission? You have nothing to lose by asking and offering them some copies of the DVD and location credit on the film.
 
It seems as if it'd be good business for them. Basically, it would cause some interest and if it ever got on t.v. (which is what I'm shooting it for), that would be good publicity. The only thing is I don't to tell them everything about the show idea since ideas are like girlfriends. When you have a good one, everybody tries to steal it.
 
Casinos in Vegas? No way.
Casinos in smaller markets (IE Casinos on Indian Reservations -or- Casinos in Iowa -or- any state on this site that's not Nevada or New Jersey http://www.oagaa.org/html/body_states_with_casinos.html?) Possibly...

...In fact these other locations could double for Vegas (inside, on the casino floor) in most cases (of course I would leave off this little factor when pitching the powers that be.)
 
yeah i did super dave's vegas spectacular for fox networks and they had a corner of (awe i forgot the casinos name), anyways people were still playing the slots but they had it roped off somewhat. but believe me they paid some $. E.T was also filmimg us after the shoot to promote the show. there is a possiblity.....yeah right!
 
I hate to sound like a dick. But your little project even if it gets on network television doesn’t matter to them. These clubs you are talking about do not advertise and that is for good reason. They don't have to. Vegas has so many tourists, and these tourist need things to do. So they will go to the clubs if they put out advertising or not. Now if you are filming a feature film with name talent that is a different question. Or if you are HBO and filming entourage, then that is something as well. The only ads you will see for casino clubs are video on the casino grounds and print ads on taxies.

So not to get you down, I bet your project is awesome and I hope you do get it on TV. But don't think that by telling them that this is such a big advertising opportunity for them. That they are going to make your dreams come true. They don't care. Money helps; big name Production Company’s help, and named talent helps. But that is about it. Call them tell them you are doing a small production and you would really, really like it if you could shot there. Beg; don't make it sound like they will not have any busyness with out you. You are a small fish and they don't care.

Good luck and I wish you the best. Just don't get your hopes up and learn the hard way like I and so many others have. Work the problem
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top