Surprised...People do act different around a "Pro" look camera!

Tom Wills · June 20th, 2007, 03:13 PM

I've got a rather impressive looking DVC60 setup, on a nice big Libec tripod, all in all, not expensive, but still, I was shooting some B-Roll after a local Lacrosse tournament, and I got kids asking whether or not I could put them on TV, and I got a lot of people asking me what channel this will be on once I stopped shooting to take a break. They all seemed so disappointed to hear that I was a freelancer working for one of the teams.

The thing I've noticed though is that I've never, ever been stopped by anyone when I have my big camera. I walk into an event, suddenly the people running it start asking whether or not they can help carry my gear, where I want to set up, what can we do for you, but never "What are you doing here?" or "What will this be used for?". No questions, just free access. But, on the flip side, I have had people clam up when I try to do the "man on the street" type interviews, where they would have been much more candid with a smaller camera. But, I've found the way to get around this is to have someone with you who's kind and personable to ask the questions and have someone for the talent to look at.

Marco Wagner · June 20th, 2007, 06:55 PM

Ever get into private or huge events because of that cam? I have, I walked right through the doors of this huge sporting event with my gear and not even security so much as batted an eye!!! We're talking $150+ for a ticket min. and I just waltz right in...Gotta love it

Jasmine Marie Adams · June 20th, 2007, 07:17 PM

Add a soundie with a boom to almost any camera and the reaction will change.

Philip Fass · June 21st, 2007, 03:31 AM

Marco,with my equipment I've certainly gotten into places that should have questioned my right to be there -- specificially, schools and hospitals. I wouldn't try to walk past the TSA screeners at an airport, though.

George Ellis · June 21st, 2007, 06:26 AM

I just remember the Yale experiment for social psychology where they put people in lab coats vs people dressed otherwise and told them to do things that they should not (shocking a patient beyond the safe zone marked on the instruments). Someone wearing a labcoat could easily talk the subject into delivering harmful or lethal shocks.

Conclusion - People make too many assumptions based on looks alone.

"Grandma does your dog bite?"

Marco Wagner · June 21st, 2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip Fass

Marco,with my equipment I've certainly gotten into places that should have questioned my right to be there -- specificially, schools and hospitals. I wouldn't try to walk past the TSA screeners at an airport, though.

Yeah I wouldn't either, lol, but based on some of my experiences at the airport security line.....some TSA "ain't all dat brite".

Jasper Blunk · June 21st, 2007, 12:20 PM

I prefer a larger camera...etc because it looks like more of a serious production. And when I see people... even with BETACAM, it does look serious. Of course, as a filmmaker, I know it is just a BETACAM. :-)

Bill Zens · June 21st, 2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip Fass

I wouldn't try to walk past the TSA screeners at an airport, though.

I recently took my XL2 through the airport...The screeners said something like "hey this guys from a TV network"

I'm thinking, " it's only an XL2..."

Size does matter...

Jamie Allan · June 22nd, 2007, 02:31 AM

I was wandering around Broadcast Live this week with the tiny AVCHD HSC1 filming promo bits and this guy who was demoing a full steadicam kit with a V1 attached gave me this look like we were both naked and he had a much bigger manhood than me...quite pathetic, really.

Philip Fass · June 22nd, 2007, 04:12 AM

Jamie, there's a lot of that attitude around. I happened to be in Chicago when the HD Expo was there. I didn't look or act like a bigshot, so I ended up feeling like a little kid trying to mingle with a bunch of conceited grown-ups.

Bill Mecca · June 22nd, 2007, 08:47 AM

It's funny how people's perceptions have changed. I was recently (for fun) taping a concert at my kid's school. they had arranged with one of the other father's to tape it, create a DVD and sell it. I was there with my trusty VX3 (yes hi-8) crappy old no name tripod. He and I were talking with another friend of mine, and he, the guy hired, says to my friend. " I don't know why they hired me when he's here (meaning me)." Now there he was with a minidv (Consumer) and I had old tech, but the camera was larger (but small in comparison to my DSR 250) and he thought I had the big pro camera.

never did see his work, but given what I saw while he was taping... I don't think I want to.

Look like you know what you are doing, and look like you belong and it will get you very far. then you need the skills to back it up.

Richard Alvarez · June 22nd, 2007, 09:01 AM

Apropos of this thread, I'm reading the book "Blink" - about how we make snap judgements, and how they can be both more efficient, and devastatingly 'wrong' depending on how we are 'programmed'.

No question that the cultural programming of the average Jil or Joe is that 'bigger is better' when it comes to the camera gear. So yeah, go ahead and take advantage of that fact. We all know that the end product depends on whats INSIDE both the camera and the operator - but it would be foolish to ignore the pre-judgement (prejudices) of the public regarding the appearance of the gear.

Matt Davis · June 23rd, 2007, 08:30 AM

Agreed - Blink is an interesting read (try Freakonomics next).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Alvarez

it would be foolish to ignore the pre-judgement (prejudices) of the public regarding the appearance of the gear.

Even in the corporate world, the Z1 is a sort of halfway mark. The self acclaimed media savvy suits sigh a bit (I've been asked "where's the camera?"). The strategists and the specialists marvel at shrinking technology. The shakers and movers tend to just get straight into the interview.

I'm also guilty of tricking out the Z1 with radio receviers, pointless big mic, matte box (and will add the Hawk Woods thingy at the back to take another receiver just to bulk it out a bit) for interviews. For run and gun, it's fine au naturelle - enough presence to get 'the nod', not enough to draw attention.

Having said that, was doing some GVs in Barcelona near the docks with a PD150. Got stopped and quizzed. Funnily enough, they were happy for me to continue GVs with my PDX-10 sans tripod.*

Good to have a choice.

* Note: hand holding the PD150 wasn't acceptable. Just the PDX-10 (and bean bag).

June 20th, 2007, 06:55 PM	#17
Marco Wagner Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saint Cloud, Florida Posts: 1,043	Ever get into private or huge events because of that cam? I have, I walked right through the doors of this huge sporting event with my gear and not even security so much as batted an eye!!! We're talking $150+ for a ticket min. and I just waltz right in...Gotta love it __________________ www.facebook.com/projectspecto

June 22nd, 2007, 08:47 AM	#26
Bill Mecca Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 475	It's funny how people's perceptions have changed. I was recently (for fun) taping a concert at my kid's school. they had arranged with one of the other father's to tape it, create a DVD and sell it. I was there with my trusty VX3 (yes hi-8) crappy old no name tripod. He and I were talking with another friend of mine, and he, the guy hired, says to my friend. " I don't know why they hired me when he's here (meaning me)." Now there he was with a minidv (Consumer) and I had old tech, but the camera was larger (but small in comparison to my DSR 250) and he thought I had the big pro camera. never did see his work, but given what I saw while he was taping... I don't think I want to. Look like you know what you are doing, and look like you belong and it will get you very far. then you need the skills to back it up. __________________ Award-winning Pine Barrens Documentary! Video, Audio, Music & More

June 20th, 2007, 03:13 PM	#16
Tom Wills Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 326	I've got a rather impressive looking DVC60 setup, on a nice big Libec tripod, all in all, not expensive, but still, I was shooting some B-Roll after a local Lacrosse tournament, and I got kids asking whether or not I could put them on TV, and I got a lot of people asking me what channel this will be on once I stopped shooting to take a break. They all seemed so disappointed to hear that I was a freelancer working for one of the teams. The thing I've noticed though is that I've never, ever been stopped by anyone when I have my big camera. I walk into an event, suddenly the people running it start asking whether or not they can help carry my gear, where I want to set up, what can we do for you, but never "What are you doing here?" or "What will this be used for?". No questions, just free access. But, on the flip side, I have had people clam up when I try to do the "man on the street" type interviews, where they would have been much more candid with a smaller camera. But, I've found the way to get around this is to have someone with you who's kind and personable to ask the questions and have someone for the talent to look at.

June 20th, 2007, 07:17 PM	#18
Jasmine Marie Adams New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Perth Western Australia Posts: 38	Add a soundie with a boom to almost any camera and the reaction will change.

June 21st, 2007, 03:31 AM	#19
Philip Fass Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Charlotte, VT Posts: 397	Marco,with my equipment I've certainly gotten into places that should have questioned my right to be there -- specificially, schools and hospitals. I wouldn't try to walk past the TSA screeners at an airport, though.

June 21st, 2007, 06:26 AM	#20
George Ellis Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 1,241	I just remember the Yale experiment for social psychology where they put people in lab coats vs people dressed otherwise and told them to do things that they should not (shocking a patient beyond the safe zone marked on the instruments). Someone wearing a labcoat could easily talk the subject into delivering harmful or lethal shocks. Conclusion - People make too many assumptions based on looks alone. "Grandma does your dog bite?"

June 21st, 2007, 12:20 PM	#22
Jasper Blunk New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 42	I prefer a larger camera...etc because it looks like more of a serious production. And when I see people... even with BETACAM, it does look serious. Of course, as a filmmaker, I know it is just a BETACAM. :-)

June 22nd, 2007, 02:31 AM	#24
Jamie Allan Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Notts, UK Posts: 101	I was wandering around Broadcast Live this week with the tiny AVCHD HSC1 filming promo bits and this guy who was demoing a full steadicam kit with a V1 attached gave me this look like we were both naked and he had a much bigger manhood than me...quite pathetic, really.

June 22nd, 2007, 04:12 AM	#25
Philip Fass Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Charlotte, VT Posts: 397	Jamie, there's a lot of that attitude around. I happened to be in Chicago when the HD Expo was there. I didn't look or act like a bigshot, so I ended up feeling like a little kid trying to mingle with a bunch of conceited grown-ups.

June 22nd, 2007, 09:01 AM	#27
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Apropos of this thread, I'm reading the book "Blink" - about how we make snap judgements, and how they can be both more efficient, and devastatingly 'wrong' depending on how we are 'programmed'. No question that the cultural programming of the average Jil or Joe is that 'bigger is better' when it comes to the camera gear. So yeah, go ahead and take advantage of that fact. We all know that the end product depends on whats INSIDE both the camera and the operator - but it would be foolish to ignore the pre-judgement (prejudices) of the public regarding the appearance of the gear.