Documentary Unit: Testing Car Test Shoot
Today we wanted to test out how we would film inside a car. We came across a problem hen setting tup and that was under the educational authorities, we are unable to film handheld in a car as it is a hazard. This applies to both the test shoot and final shoot, which is an obstacle we need to work around. We will attempt to have the car stationary when filing handheld to get those Edgar Wright style montage close up shots. This is a little problem, however, we were still allowed to use a goPro to film interior car shots as it is not as much as a distraction/hazard to the driver.
We first attached the go pro to the left of Simon in the drivers seat. However, it did obstruct his vision of the road so we moved it to the right where it would not be as distracting. We need someone else in the car to keep awn eye on the go pro when filming. This is doable with a blind spot we found in the car where it is safe for the crew member to sit. Otherwise we could simply have the entire crew in shot; something that BBC Three do anyway. BBC three have also been known to film with go pros inside cars, like with the documentary Gang Girls and Tyger Takes On. We are yet to practice external car shots, including a drone one where it follows the built in remote tracker. This means it will be able to follow the car.
We also took this opportunity to test sound in the car. In doing so we used a clip mic on Simon and had him talk through the journey. This is the way it is usually done as it saves having a sound member in the car.
After testing filming inside the car and testing sound, we realised that it could even be quite effective having the crew occasionally visible. Documentaries will often show the crew because a lot of it depends on what happens at the time, and there won't always be time to set everything up perfectly. A really memorable example of this.
Checklist for filming inside a moving vehicle:
We first attached the go pro to the left of Simon in the drivers seat. However, it did obstruct his vision of the road so we moved it to the right where it would not be as distracting. We need someone else in the car to keep awn eye on the go pro when filming. This is doable with a blind spot we found in the car where it is safe for the crew member to sit. Otherwise we could simply have the entire crew in shot; something that BBC Three do anyway. BBC three have also been known to film with go pros inside cars, like with the documentary Gang Girls and Tyger Takes On. We are yet to practice external car shots, including a drone one where it follows the built in remote tracker. This means it will be able to follow the car.
We also took this opportunity to test sound in the car. In doing so we used a clip mic on Simon and had him talk through the journey. This is the way it is usually done as it saves having a sound member in the car.
After testing filming inside the car and testing sound, we realised that it could even be quite effective having the crew occasionally visible. Documentaries will often show the crew because a lot of it depends on what happens at the time, and there won't always be time to set everything up perfectly. A really memorable example of this.
Checklist for filming inside a moving vehicle:
- When filming vehicles on a public road, camera equipment and crew must remain at least 1 metre away from the edge of the road.
- A comprehensive Risk Assessment must be carried out prior to filming anything with a moving vehicle.
- A comprehensive Risk Assessment must be carried out prior to filming anything with a moving vehicle.
- Everyone must remain seated and restrained properly while the vehicle is in motion, and loose equipment must be appropriately secured.
- All relevant vehicle legislation must be complied with and safety checks carried out.
- The competence of all drivers should be assessed in relation to the activity they are to be involved in and fully briefed beforehand on what's required.
- Drivers should remain focused on the road at all times and keep both hands on the wheel.
- Use only foxed-position cameras (such as GoPro's) while the vehicle is in motion. Hand-held cameras are only to be used while the vehicle is stationary.
The footage we got turned out really grainy as we were rushed and didn't really have time to adjust the camera settings. We tried filming in 4K which was probably partly the reason why the footage was grainy.
- All relevant vehicle legislation must be complied with and safety checks carried out.
- The competence of all drivers should be assessed in relation to the activity they are to be involved in and fully briefed beforehand on what's required.
- Drivers should remain focused on the road at all times and keep both hands on the wheel.
- Use only foxed-position cameras (such as GoPro's) while the vehicle is in motion. Hand-held cameras are only to be used while the vehicle is stationary.
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