I need a train wreck.

ryan brown

ryan brown

lOwEr CaSe Member
Kind of... er... not really.

I need a shot of a TRAIN coming right at the camera (the wreck comes in post with greenscreen).

Any ideas??????

I've got a spare canon XL2 with the 20x zoom lens, and a DVX.
 
Build a protective cage for the camera with plexiglass (which you snuggle the camera lense against). Find maybe a railroad trestle (there's one south of me I've thought of shooting on) and set the camera so it is between crossties and low but high enough to get the shot you want (warranted, I do not know the clearance on the trains so it could be setting up for a demolished camera). Then wait for a train to set it up (asking for a schedule might get you a visit from homeland security).

Just remembered, I saw a sign a year or so where someone had a train for rent. I photographed the sign (one of the ways I take notes) so I'll try to look it up. Also, you might try one of these railroad clubs that have real trains but they tend to be wood or coal trains. Are you looking for old or new? I know in Chattanooga they have a "club" or whatever there with several trains, and I believe they have a diesel but not for sure.
 
If you really want the train to "hit" the camera .. then the cheapest way is to use a large - but preferably light, like Mylar - mirror placed on the tracks. Position the camera to the side of the tracks so it's shooting the oncoming train via the mirror.

Of course each take costs you a mirror .. and 7 years bad luck. But it's cheaper than a camera.

Obviously this method (as any full size one) involves closed off track and a train hired for the shoot.

- Mikko
 
Just be weary where you film. My dad went to shoot some trains (nothing fancy, just pictures of train cars) at a train yard, and had written permission from the owner of the train yard to be there. But such things matter not for the police patrols. Apparently the owner of the yard has no right to allow anyone to photograph trains (obviously, pictures of trains could be used for nothing but terrorism), so he couldn't get the shots he needed. It seems you need to be a full fledged production company to do things like this without getting arrested. Mikko's mirror idea works wonderfully, but it just raises that issue of not getting in trouble.
 
Ah Ha!... the mirror idea! fantastic, and I think it may work. I would've never thought of that.

Thanks Mikko, and everyone else for the insight. If anyone has any more ideas, I'd love to hear them.
 
mikkowilson said:
If you really want the train to "hit" the camera .. then the cheapest way is to use a large - but preferably light, like Mylar - mirror placed on the tracks. Position the camera to the side of the tracks so it's shooting the oncoming train via the mirror.

Of course each take costs you a mirror .. and 7 years bad luck. But it's cheaper than a camera.

Obviously this method (as any full size one) involves closed off track and a train hired for the shoot.

- Mikko
Click to expand...

Yes I saw this done in one chapter of Brainiac ( If I remember well).
 
Check out my "historic niles canyon railroad" on youtube. I have two shots of trains (delsel & steam) coming at the camera. I like the one at 2:40 best however the cam isnt directly on the tracks. If these are usable I could probably dig up the orig tape for you.
Paul M.
 
Hey Ryan

Not sure what camera or your budget

What if you went to train yard and there was a train; standing still of course.

Is there a way to come at the camera and then reverse it in post ? Not sure how elaborate of a shot you are looking for, but if you get a long dolly or steadi shot, it may work with the sound fx, etc

-

Also considering hitting up some CG forums; someone may just be able to assist you.
 
Just find a place where the track takes a decent semi-sharp turn. Position your camera so it's shooting head-on at the train before it makes that turn. Zoom in for a tight shot, which will compress the depth and make the train look even closer. Roll camera and let the train pass by. Then in post, do your cut right before the train turns. That should do the trick.

Hope that made sense.....
 
train wreck

train wreck

Look for a switch or a fork in the railroad. That's where the turns are. Zoom in and position the camera close to the left or right rail. Frame close. Pray for no flying debris or improvise a plexy shield.
 
Hey guys. Using real trains are out of the question.

My friend is a conductor for Norfolk Southern and there is no way in hell they will let you in the yard or even get close to a train, let alone near the tracks in front of a locomotive.

Don't even try stealing a shot of a train en route either. It's the best way to lose your life. One of my best friends was killed in South Africa this past October getting to close to the tracks with his camera trying to do a great POV money shot.

Putting anything on the tracks, including seemingly fragile mirrors puts the entire train in danger. Many conductors and engineers have lost their lives in derailments. You wouldn't want to be responsible for that would you?

Plus. if an Engineer sees you meddling near the tracks, a couple of things are going to happen, first, they'll stop the train, then they will call the police.

My buddy lives, eats and breaths safety while in the yards and near the trains. They have many safety regulations to follow amd if they break a safety rule, they could very well lose their job.

I say buy some stock footage.
 
There are private train museums that rent out trains. There's one here the foothills that rents for $200/hr.
 
You don't have to get into the yard to shoot a train making a turn. Just drive along a railroad track until you find a place where it takes a turn. It may take some scouting, but that's half the fun!

And you don't have to be close to the tracks at all -- that's what the zoom on your camera is for.

:)
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
You don't have to get into the yard to shoot a train making a turn. Just drive along a railroad track until you find a place where it takes a turn. It may take some scouting, but that's half the fun!

And you don't have to be close to the tracks at all -- that's what the zoom on your camera is for.

:)
Click to expand...

... sounds like a job for google earth!
 
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