Press Credentials?

[7CS]

I've filmed a couple mountain bike races this year and had no problems. So this past weekend I drove 2 hours to film a race and since CBS was there taping the race I couldn't get access to the infield and had to shoot from outside the fence where everyone stands. How do you "credentialize" yourself if you don't work for anyone and sometimes need access to the infield or anything for that matter that becomes situationally restricted?

 

[tankgirl]

Sometimes you can just call the company doing the event and explain who you are and what you intentions are.

 

[Noiz2]

Before the event call there media relations person. If you really need to be associated with a news service you could offer your footage to your local TV station if they will make you an "official" stringer. Now your a news guy and should be able to get credentials. Often a plausible story works also. I'm working on a documentary on bike racing, Or I'm working up a treatment for a local segment. Unfortunately things like I really love bike racing and I just want to film it for myself will usually get you nowhere, and a big lie will get you in. Also keep all those press badges you collect and have them in a big bundle on your bag. Often you can walk up day of show with all that swag and they will give you credentials based on your "obvious" media credentials. THe up side is you get to go where the press go and that usually includes some very nice locations.