It’s well known that as amateur videographers, you simply cannot get the best footage the pros do as they are allowed into places you aren’t. Many years ago I worked out one way when I started doing motor racing (and admittedly security was a bit more lax than today) by getting a Channel 9 jacket badge from my then sister-in-law who worked there. I got away with a whole season doing that!

Lately it has got a lot harder though, but the other week I hit on another way – not fool proof but a less than alert security guard will usually fall for it.

First, if you are at a venue where they have “bibs” for official media people, give up before you try. Yes I know you’ll find people from New Idea covering motor bikes (and your Bike Club Newsletter has more relevance), but trust me, these security people can be – umm – persuasive and it ain’t worth the grief or potential damage to gear. Second, you have to look the part; shorts and thongs are not going to cut it, especially at anything deemed to be even remotely dangerous. If they have an ambulance or fire engine there, jeans, decent shoes and a hat are the go at least with some sort of jacket.

The third is to remember anything you do outside the norm is at your own risk. If an official tells you to move, you move, even if you do have the right to be there as a fully signed in media representative. I once in my younger days foolishly ignored a Marshall at a particular circuit, and it was only when he threatened me with expulsion from the circuit and reporting me to the MEAA that I moved under sufferance.

Ten seconds later a car on fire rolled over the spot I had been standing at about 140kph. These guys KNOW where it is dangerous.

So what is the tip then? Easy, get yourself a Rode Video Mic and dead wombat to go over it, mount it to your camcorder and voila! Instant professional. I also have an Azden  remote system bolted on with twin antennas to reinforce the theme. A set of cans (headphones) around your kneck adds even more colour and if you can get a brace for camera, you’re laughing!

If nothing else, everyone in the crowd will think you are “TV” and give you some respect allowing you to get closer through the crowd! And if someone says, “Can you put me on TV?” say “I’ll try” and take some footage. Top pick up line that too J

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