Taking Video since 9/11

MichelleDVX

MichelleDVX

Member
I am an amateur when it comes to filmmaking, and want to go around the city taking video. I worry however, of being hassled by the Police thinking I am some terrorist sizing up a place for something violent.

I heard of so many stories where people taking pictures in Toronto (the CN tower), and in train stations (London - ok I understand being paranoid there), where very innocent people were searched, detained, and harassed for taking a pic on a camera. I'm not a rocket scientist, but something tells me (maybe common sense) that if a terrorist was going to target some place, they'd be very discrete and not so blatant as most tourists or say, me with a proconsumer camcorder on a manfrotto tripod.

I live in Edmonton, which is probably far down the list of targets for any terrorism. I want to take video of "Edmonton specific" locations like I was trying to promote the city. As I said I am amateur and want to do this project just to learn more about taking the shots and doing the editing (with appropriate music).


btw... I've been on DVXuser for a few years, but havent seen a whole lot of people on the group from here yet. Any other people from the city who want to dabble in this kind of stuff? If so, please raise your hand ;)

Michelle
 
yeah it would funny, to see a terrorist with a huge camera tripod, lights and microphone... (i do not mean the funny that way)
 
Welcome to today's reality.

In Pearl Harbor in the 40's the 'spies' took tourist tours while snapping photos; so it's not too far-fetched.
 
MichelleDVX said:
I am an amateur when it comes to filmmaking, and want to go around the city taking video. I worry however, of being hassled by the Police thinking I am some terrorist sizing up a place for something violent.

I heard of so many stories where people taking pictures in Toronto (the CN tower), and in train stations (London - ok I understand being paranoid there), where very innocent people were searched, detained, and harassed for taking a pic on a camera. I'm not a rocket scientist, but something tells me (maybe common sense) that if a terrorist was going to target some place, they'd be very discrete and not so blatant as most tourists or say, me with a proconsumer camcorder on a manfrotto tripod.

I live in Edmonton, which is probably far down the list of targets for any terrorism. I want to take video of "Edmonton specific" locations like I was trying to promote the city. As I said I am amateur and want to do this project just to learn more about taking the shots and doing the editing (with appropriate music).


btw... I've been on DVXuser for a few years, but havent seen a whole lot of people on the group from here yet. Any other people from the city who want to dabble in this kind of stuff? If so, please raise your hand ;)

Michelle
Click to expand...

First off, it's good to be planning ahead like that but most likely you will not be that unlucky. As a precaution though, you could call/meet face to face with the police department there and explain to them what you're doing.

When I was filming over the summer, I had a similar situation and I just walked in there and spoke with the chief of police and told him what we were doing. He let the cars in the area we were filming know what was going on. While we were filming, one car stopped just to watch us and I even struck up a conversation with the guy. So as long as you let them know, I think you'll be okay.
 
When I visited the white house, they let absolutely nothing in that could help you remember where anything is set, so you can't devise a place to put an explosive or something like that.

Not even your eyes!
 
There's a PDF out there called thephotographersright.pdf outlining what you can and can't do.

Basically, you can do just about anything. (No obvious no-nos like military installations and suchlike, of course.)

While it's probably not a good idea, I really want to just laugh in their faces when someone spouts nonsense. "Oh, you can't take a photo in an airport." And why? If a "terrorist" wanted the layout...well, hell...don't security folks watch TV? Don't they know you can get a camera small enough to be disguised as a brooch? Even an earring? In the frame of your glasses?

And they're gonna hassle a guy in plaid shorts and Hawaiian shirt taking a shot of Maw and the three little munchkins?

Well, they should, in that case. Just on general principles.
 
Michelle I live in Edmonton as does about 20 others signed up on this board ( I think about 5 active members) Jarred is even originally from Edmonton.

Anyway's I guess I should post this since I live here, The edmonton film commision ( http://www.filminedmonton.com/portal.asp?page=654 ) is the only people that would have a problem and to date there is currently no permits required for filmming anywhere on city streets or property. ( i.e. walk around and film anything you want anywhere and no ones going to give you a problem especially the police they don't care...period) the only time you'd have a problem is if you say went into a store or down into the lrt tunnels then you'd need to obtain permision from people like the store managment or city services,

I'm curious as to what you are using for a camera these days, I remember a while ago that you sold the equipment that you had?

There is also a film group that was started up about a month ago here's the link http://filmind.meetup.com/242/boards/

Additionally you should look into fava ( www.fava.ca ) if you haven't there assistance as a indie film support is phenomenal ( especially low cost equipment rentals)

Also if you want to PM me or e-mail me at info@newartfilms.com I can talk to you more and maybe get together sometime about projects.
 
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Hi Nick,
Ya.. I sold my DVX a year or two ago.. or something like that because I didnt use it as much as I wanted to. I learned the bug in me isnt going away, so I caved in again. However, because I had an HD tv (60" HDTV), and also tried some HD video on the HC1 (which was the top rated camcorder on this site: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/ratings.php ), and loved the crispness and size.
I was at vistek in calgary and decided to get a proconsumer camcorder and got the FX1 because I wanted to do HD. I'll get an HVX when the prices drop and I can figure on some financial return. Buying an HVX would be silly for me if it was just a hobby. Just the FX1 with the accessories (manfrotto pod, wireless mic, a lanc, etc etc) was over $7100 anyways and I just started again. :)
 
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