I learnt this trick years ago. It won't work in all places as many of the security heavies hired by events managers are beyond being negotiators; they are simply there to be a threat and won't listen to any reason. But sometimes, just to get 10 minutes of video or a money shot can be gained by a little sweet talking and some verbal - and visual - bluff.

The trick is to look the part. Do you look like a punter or do you look like a serious pro? Are you wearing shorts and thongs to a sporting event or serious trainers, a hat, NOT a sporting logo'd shirt (they scream tacky) and a backpack.

But the key to video is to get a bracket mount on the bottom of the cameraand run at right angle to the lens ie: across the body. This should have two mounts on it - one for a light and one for a mic. At worst get one with a single bracket and have the light top mounted.

For the mic, get a proper one - I use a Rode Video Mic with a dead wombat on it. This alone screams "professional". And then the coup de gras, get a small set of headphones - not earbuds - and wear them around your neck. If you carry a small tripod, or have it hanging from your back pack, even better.

As I say, with a bit of bluff and being nice, you will find doors suddenly opening that were not before.

By David Hague

David is the owner and publisher of AusCam Online. He has a background in media dating back to 1979 when he first got involved with photojournalism in motorsport, and went from there into technology via a 5 year stint with Tandy Computers. Following that, he ran a software distribution company on the Gold Coast and was one of the first to recognise the potential of Microsoft Windows.

Moving back to WA, David wrote scripts for Computer Television for video training for the just released Windows and Office 95 among others, and was then lured to Sydney to create web sites for the newly commercial Internet in 1995, building hundreds of sites under contract to OzEmail including Coates Hire, Hertz Queensland, John Williamson, the NSW Board of Studies and many, many more.

He went back into full time journalism as the Managing Editor for Channel 7's 'Gadget Guy', Peter Blasina's publications VideoCamera and Pixelmag, before starting Australasian Camcorder magazine when these publications were shelved. He lives at Sydney's Avalon Beaches nearly on the ocean front with dog Budweiser and in his spare time is a nut for motor sport, road safety, fishing, science fiction - especially Dr Who - and technology.

David can be contacted via david@auscamonline.com