Filming With the HMC150 in Public

B

Benjillion

Member
I have had enjoyment seeing footage from the HMC150 from various users on vimeo. The camcorder produces some wonderful colors. I quite like the look of the image. I am considering getting one myself. One question that I have not been able to find an answer for, is in regards to filming in public.

How easy is it for HMC150 owners to film in public places? Is the camcorder so big that it gets looks? Has anyone been asked to stop filming? What reactions do you get from others? Does it change the environment drastically?

I plan on doing some documentary work, so I am interested to hear from HMC150 owners. Thanks
 
What kind of question is that.

If you're trying to film up women's skirts or something then yeah I'm sure it's so big and will get looks and then people will ask you to stop filming.

If you're planning on filming a documentary and you want it to look good.. then get the necessary gear - follow the laws of where you are and aren't allowed to film.. and make your movie.

:bath:
 
It's not a big camera but it is noticeable.
I don think your a pro shooter if you dont mind me saying but I 'd say always respect the privacy of others and if you do a paid gig always try and ask persmission before hand even if it is right on the spot :)

My first gig got me into trouble with some soldiers in uniform who were helping a friend out at a bar .....That A hole was drunk but I was scared as hell for me and the sony 2000 (8 years ago) it turned out ok from there I shot alot of places .......still awkward sometimes .Something I do is talk to the people who passby just to break the ice .
Try and relax when your outside you draw less attention that way.
 
Also check audio laws.... In FL we cant record audio without informing the people being recorded.

But technically, public places are legal to record... private you will need to get a release signed.

Like Thomas said... This camera looks pro, so as long as you are acting like a pro videographer no one can really say anything.
 
Thomas Lew said:
What kind of question is that.
Click to expand...

Well, after watching Philip Bloom review the JVC hm 100 around London, I was quite impressed with some of the locations he was able to film at.

I wanted to see how easy it was for HMC 150 owners to head outside and film. As much as I enjoy having control over the lighting and working in the studio, I like being able to head outside and film exterior and nature shots. Knowing how easy it is to use the HMC150 while out and about I find to be one important aspect of using the camcorder.
 
Everts said:
I 'd say always respect the privacy of others and if you do a paid gig always try and ask persmission before hand even if it is right on the spot :)
Click to expand...

I agree that it is important to respect the privacy of others. And most of the time, asking on the spot has worked out quite well.

I'm more curious about shooting around town, like, some of the scenery in "In Bruges", just capturing simple, beautiful shots.
 
I still don't really understand your question lol. What exactly do you mean by how "easy" is it to film outside? I feel like what you're asking is if you look weird or something holding a big camera outdoors. That's not even something I think about when I'm getting the shots I need to get. Don't be bashful about filming outdoors with a camera larger than your average consumer cam. It's not weird or anything.

:bath:
 
I understand what he is asking. At my sons football game one Saturday morning a few weeks back I brought the HMC150 instead of the HV30 I usually use. I got many looks and a few comments to me inquiring if I was from some organization filming the event instead of just a parent. No one tried to tell me I couldn't film, but its clear that I was looked at differently.

I was also shooting a wedding back in March. I was getting some B-Roll shots on the outside of the hotel AFTER I had asked permission of the hotel to do so. While outside with the HMC, I was aggressively confronted by security who skidded up next to me in their hotel van. I explained the situation and they were cool with it ("No one told us..."), but such incidents never happened with the HV30.

The laws are the same regardless of the camera and you can certainly shoot wherever you are legally able to, and you should not be bashful about doing so. But there's a big difference in attitude when people think you are making money as opposed to just shooting home video.
 
Size does matter in this case... It's considerably LONG but not as LONG silver and ugly like the miniDV Sony VX200. It's a prosumer camera and you can expect people to think that you are holding on to an expensive piece of equipment suitable only for a tech geek shooting outstandingly in the stands together with the football mums during a home coming.

The least you can do to make it look small is to lift the eye piece pointing upwards when you shoot and take out the protective matte box from the lens. I do that every time I need to move fast and slip it into my small haversack. It's a conspicuous piece of equipment but the upside about it is that it is light. But once you let her out of the bag, the tendency of people noticing you is imminent. If you need to do detective work, I'd suggest a camcorder.

BTW could anyone link me to a good interview release form for documentary films?
 
It also matters because often you are NOT filming people nearby but scenic things, yet people often assume they are in the shop and eitehr try to get in it and wave (assuming that you are news crew), or yell and threaten you.

I rememeber years ago in film school and we were on our way to a shoot. We had pulled over to look at a map when 4 cop cars skipped the curb and ran into a guy. A guy we were with jumped out with an XL1 and was shooting what was happening (completely legal here) when a pimp nearby walked over with a tire iron cause he though were shooting his girls. Probably wouldn't of happed with a handy cam.
 
Desertfox said:
BTW could anyone link me to a good interview release form for documentary films?
Click to expand...

Try these? http://filmmakeriq.com/development/contracts-and-law/588-free-film-contracts-and-forms.html


Desertfox said:
Size does matter in this case... It's considerably LONG but not as LONG silver and ugly like the miniDV Sony VX200.
Click to expand...

Totally do agree here as a former VX2000 owner... I remember shooting a local fashion show... I went outside for B-roll and was confronted by a manager of a bar close by... He demanded I not film his location or his patrons - so I complied even though I was 'legally' allowed to video him all night if I wanted.

Long story short, the a-hole never got the free publicity the other local businesses in his area received.


Denwa said:
...when a pimp nearby walked over with a tire iron cause he though were shooting his girls.
Click to expand...

haha
 
Last edited:
It's a lot less noticeable than back when I'd drag out a betacam or a full size DV shoulder cam! The biggest problem I used to have is everyone thought it was the news and wanted to be on "TV"
=)

I was used to it though, shooting news we got that all the time when I'd pull up in the sat truck and try to find the bird.


Now I just worry about someone doing a snatch-n-run with my little cam!
 
I understand what he is asking. At my sons football game one Saturday morning a few weeks back I brought the HMC150 instead of the HV30 I usually use. I got many looks and a few comments to me inquiring if I was from some organization filming the event instead of just a parent. No one tried to tell me I couldn't film, but its clear that I was looked at differently.

I was also shooting a wedding back in March. I was getting some B-Roll shots on the outside of the hotel AFTER I had asked permission of the hotel to do so. While outside with the HMC, I was aggressively confronted by security who skidded up next to me in their hotel van. I explained the situation and they were cool with it ("No one told us..."), but such incidents never happened with the HV30.

The laws are the same regardless of the camera and you can certainly shoot wherever you are legally able to, and you should not be bashful about doing so. But there's a big difference in attitude when people think you are making money as opposed to just shooting home video.
______________________________

DaFireMedic summed it up quite well.

These is exactly the kind of reactions I have had too.

The HV30 has its limitations...but it's a heck of a stealth tool.

~DPS
 
Thomas Lew said:
I still don't really understand your question lol. What exactly do you mean by how "easy" is it to film outside? I feel like what you're asking is if you look weird or something holding a big camera outdoors. That's not even something I think about when I'm getting the shots I need to get. Don't be bashful about filming outdoors with a camera larger than your average consumer cam. It's not weird or anything.

:bath:
Click to expand...

its weird that you still dont get the question !
 
Reminds me of a coffee table photography book idea I jokingly came up with years ago. "Backsides of America".
 
Baatfam said:
It would have to be a big book....
Click to expand...


Easy now... I remember when I visited the U.K and Isle Of Mann the local news constantly took jabs at Americans for being overweight. You don't see our news bashing the U.K. for having pale skin and rotten teeth.

We get enough beating from our friends....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top