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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
help on ammature police documentary

dment
New User

Nov 4, 2005, 7:59 AM

Post #1 of 9 (943 views)
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help on ammature police documentary	Can't Post

Please i need some help.
i am 15 years old and i would like to make a documentary of my local policeforce and mabey fire force. think "cops" i am not sure what needs to be prepared in advace. do i need to write a letter or go in person to ask for permission.
it is a smal friendly town and not realy busy, ifthat helps. please i need advice and any suggestions.

Storm Crow
Veteran

Nov 4, 2005, 8:21 AM

Post #2 of 9 (938 views)
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Re: [dment] help on ammature police documentary [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well seeing that you are a minor I'm sure they will require your parents to sign some sort of relaease if they are even willing to allow you to do this project. They will also more than likely want some sort of control of the final project and the direction that you are allowed to take with it.
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rodovideo
Enthusiast

Nov 4, 2005, 8:35 AM

Post #3 of 9 (937 views)
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Re: [dment] help on ammature police documentary [In reply to]	Can't Post

Write a letter & go in person. Smile

I would think the PD would have someone there that could help you get all the info you need (along with all of the legal paperwork)

Have fun and let us know how you make out

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adtr
Veteran

Nov 4, 2005, 9:26 AM

Post #4 of 9 (931 views)
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Re: [dment] help on ammature police documentary [In reply to]	Can't Post

Check out this thread. You might be able to get in touch with the original poster and see how he did it.
http://www.forums.dv.com/...p;threadID=300014266

Colvin Eccleston
manchesterweddingstudio.co.uk

Beverly
User

Nov 4, 2005, 11:16 AM

Post #5 of 9 (920 views)
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Re: [dment] help on ammature police documentary [In reply to]	Can't Post

OK, I am a mom, videographer, and a police officers wife so here are my thoughts. You might not like it.

The mom side Angelic

= NO YOU CAN NOT DO THIS ARE YOU CRAZY!!!!! DO YOU KNOW HOW POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS THIS IS. WHERE DO YOU LIVE, ARE YOU GOING TO BE WEARING A BULLET PROOF VEST, DO YOU HAVE A RABIES SHOT JUST IN CASE YOU GET BIT BY A DOG. STAY OUT OF THE WAY OF EVERYONE RUNNING. OH YOU DON'T RUN WITH THAT CAMERA. OH PLEASE BE CAREFUL, DON'T GET HURT. YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO DO THIS. WAIT 3 YEARS THEN IF YOU ARE STILL INTERESTED WE CAN TALK.

The videographer side Smile

= You will need to approach the police department and befriend a officer. Since you are the one interested in doing the project verses them approaching you it might be difficult. Also before you go into this you need a plan of action. What is the intent of the video. Is it a training video of what officers go through and that they need to be respected, are you wanting to start a TV show ie COPS, or is it for your own entertainment. You need to be upfront with them on your purpose and distribution of the video. Also know that you will need talent release forms to pass out and everyone that you film will need to sign it even the criminals. If they do not give you permission to be on the tape you can not use their face (say hello to face blur). Also because of your age you will need to get a parent to agree to go along with you just incase you get hurt and also it is good to have someone with you for assistance. Good Luck and have fun.

The police officers wife side Unsure

= From what I know from the department my husband works at you will probably not have full rain like you are wanting that is if they even allow you to do it. They do allow people to do ride alongs, however the person has to stay in the car during stops they can NOT get out. Cameras are not allowed. One alternative you might be able to do is see if you can get police survelance video from cars and security cameras from old robberies. Maybe you can make a video with that and then interview the officers involved in the videos. Unless you live in a really small town like Mayberry, Andy Griffith Show, you will probably not be allowed to do what you are wanting to do. Another option is if you are in a video class at your high school you can see if your teacher can back you on the project and is able to talk to the police department and go that route. You will need permission from your parents, police chief, Mayor and city council if it is a city law enforcment. Don't get frustrated if you can't get it done this weekend. It might take a little bit to plan out. Good luck

WLR
User

Nov 4, 2005, 2:39 PM

Post #6 of 9 (908 views)
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Re: [dment] help on ammature police documentary [In reply to]	Can't Post

And when you do write the letter to them, make sure spelling, punctuation, and things that are supposed to be capitalized, are.

Friends don't let friends shoot jpeg.

dment
New User

Nov 12, 2005, 11:05 AM

Post #7 of 9 (828 views)
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Re: [WLR] help on ammature police documentary [In reply to]	Can't Post

Beverly, I am in a small town England so I don"t think that safety will be much of a problem.
Please, does anyone know about release forms?
Also, initialy I thought about doing this as a personal project, but they might be more cooperative if it would be of use to them. Any ideas for this.
One more question. This will be during the christmas holidays. Does anyone think that this will make any difference to the response?

videobear
Veteran

Nov 13, 2005, 9:18 AM

Post #8 of 9 (799 views)
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Re: [dment] help on ammature police documentary [In reply to]	Can't Post

A small town in England (Great Britain) or New England?

Well, it doesn't matter much. You would be a minor putting yourself in harm's way. Riding patrol with cops, even in a small town, can be dangerous. There are drunks, shoplifters, druggies, biting dogs...there are domestic disputes, traffic stops. The whole spectrum of human behavior can be seen in a small town as well as in a big city.

A lot of these criminal-type people are not going to like the idea of appearing on camera, which could make a situation worse. Moreover, the cops are now going to have to look out for you, as well as do their jobs. The cops themselves may not be hot on the idea of someone taping their performances in the field...what if some of that footage is used to sue a policeman for an unjustified shooting, or for use of excessive violence?

Yes, safety and permission and agreed-to "rules of engagement" are going to be factors, and big ones.

As far as talent releases, do a web search on "talent release" or "model release" and you'll get a wide variety of sample forms.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

WLR
User

Nov 13, 2005, 10:27 PM

Post #9 of 9 (784 views)
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Re: [dment] help on ammature police documentary [In reply to]	Can't Post

I guess you've read the posts. It started out as a good idea, but here's another documentry idea you might consider depending how much time you have. Do one on a flight instructor at you local general aviation airport. Just a thought. Get creative. Perhaps something like "A day in the life of a......."
Could be anybody.........
The first was a good start, but loaded with safety & legal issues.

Friends don't let friends shoot jpeg.