Guerrilla type inquiry

F

firehawk

Veteran
Received an inquiry from an out of state company looking to hire for a job similar to below description:
Looking for a company to help us with a potential shoot that would involve a guerrilla style shoot getting exit intercepts with customers at a Retail Store. We would not have permission to be on the premises, so discretion for the shoot would be advised. Please respond with availability and price.

This is a 1st for me
 
Some people like this type of thing, I personally would not take it. Had my fill of getting chased off of properties when I worked in news. Keep in mind that you could potentially be arrested and have your gear held as evidence for as long as it takes to reach a conclusion. Might be the far end of what can happen, but it is a possibility.
 
I've done discreet shooting for some docs. But what kind of gig is this? Corporate? Advocacy/Activist? Wannabe Candid Camera? Regardless, I'd want to be sure they don't think this is piecework. I'd want to be paid my day rate even if I got chased off the premises after getting only two or zero bites.

Also, I'd want them to cover any Loss & Damage to my equipment (including having it seized). And any potential legal fees. And getting appearance releases might be tricky. And if the store in in a mall or strip mall or something, the sidewalk and parking lot and all that will probably be private property.

If they're sending out a producer and bring their own equipment (or equipment they rented) then may.... Nah, I still wouldn't do it.

discretion for the shoot would be advised.
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If I had to, I guess I could get by with a 1-ton grip truck.

Firehawk, does the gig kinda appeal to you?
 
I am a huge fan of only shooting in places where you have explicit permission (if it can be an issue). Dont care what the law says, having uncomfortable discussions with business owners or security or cops is not a good time.
 
Thanks guys. No way I'm going to do the job, but I was curious if this type thing was unususual. I looked up the production company wanting to hire and they look to be an established business in New York that serves clients all around ("anywhere", they say) by means of a network of hiring others. The store they want to do this at is a major national giant. I don't know any more than that.
 
Let me do a bit of a counter argument (but not necessarily against the gist of what Jim wrote) - everything has its price. A vast majority of people would not accept clearly illegal jobs. Some would. For something in the above vein, fees + insurance is what one has to look at. Would a pro do this for $1,000? Probably not. What about $10,000? $20,000? Are we getting warmer? I doubt anyone would decline if $50,000 was offered. It won't be but, to refer to an old Winston Churchill exchange, "now that we've established who you are, the rest is haggling about the price".
 
firehawk said:
We would not have permission to be on the premises, so discretion for the shoot would be advised.
Click to expand...

That lone sentence should be enough for anyone to make up there mind. But let's say someone was dumb enough to accept this assignment. If it is at some type of mall or other similar establishment, you MAY be lucky to get ONE interview before security would be on you. The surveillance at these places is insane and they don't wait around for something to happen to approach you. I've been hassled in the parking lot in my vehicle AFTER making a purchase, because someone watching the cameras thought I was sitting there too long. And if you're lucky enough to just be "run off", the producer or whomever is probably dumb enough to want to "sneak back in" or come back later at which time you better believe you're going to be arrested for trespassing.
 
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