Hidden Camera For Short Scene ? at DVinfo.net

John Westbury · November 18th, 2006, 11:57 PM

Hi

This is my first post on here. I've searched this site, and others, and I haven't really found any answers yet, so here goes.

I'm currently making a film, with the help of a few friends. There's a short scene we need to film on a train. I have permission from the train company for this, and it is a relatively simple one. There will be one two actors on the train. Just as the train pulls into a station, one actor stands up to leave the train. As she does this, the other actor recognises her as an old friend, and follows her off the train.

I'm thinking of how to best do this shot. It will be just a normal train, and it's likely to have other passengers on it. From previous experience of filming in public, I know that at times, people tend to notice and stare at the camera, which can spoil the shot.

I've mentioned this concern to a few people and a couple of them suggested disguising the camera so that no-one notices it. But when I asked how I could do this, the ideas ran out. I guess I could try it this way, so I'm hoping that someone here can make suggestions on how I could actually do it. The camera I'd use would be a JVC mini dv (GR-DX57). Old and dated looking I know, but it does the job. Here are some pictures of it just so you can see what size it is (photographed next to a bunch of keys and a watch for perspective)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Picture003.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Picture002.jpg

Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions would be gratefully received on this one.

:)

Lee Wilson · November 19th, 2006, 02:16 AM

I am not sure what to disguise it as but with 700x zoom does the camera even need to leave your house ?

;)

Lorinda Norton · November 19th, 2006, 12:08 PM

Hi John, and welcome to the site!

If you tell people what you're doing and set up the scenario for them, won't they play along and ignore the camera? I've set up shots and asked people to act as extras; even little kids usually comply. You'd have to place one of your friends at the scheduled stop to clue in people there, plus, a medium close up could exclude gawkers in the distance.

I watched a video by one of our members where he hid a camera that size in his jacket. It was funny, but hardly what you'd be looking for in a film. I wouldn't think you could disguise/hide it yet still frame and stablize.

Hope it goes well! :)

John Westbury · November 19th, 2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Wilson

I am not sure what to disguise it as but with 700x zoom does the camera even need to leave your house ?

;)

If only it was that easy. But could I hold it steady enough ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorinda Norton

Hi John, and welcome to the site!

I watched a video by one of our members where he hid a camera that size in his jacket. It was funny, but hardly what you'd be looking for in a film. I wouldn't think you could disguise/hide it yet still frame and stablize.

Hope it goes well! :)

Thanks.
I like your idea about asking people to play along. I hadn't thought of that.

Giroud Francois · November 20th, 2006, 02:06 AM

you can use any camera, even big sized if you take care to put it into a carton box you could put on your shoulder.

John Westbury · November 26th, 2006, 07:58 PM

Did it !

Many thanks for all your replies.

It worked out well in the end. The trains were nearly empty (Sunday afternoon) so we had one end of a carriage to ourselves, and didn't need to try and hide the camera. Nobody who did see it took any notice anyway, which is a bonus. Someone else I know tried to film someone walking along a road and getting into a taxi. It was the middle of summer, so there were people everywhere. But there was one bloke who stared right at the camera when he went past. At least that didn't happen today.

November 18th, 2006, 11:57 PM	#1
John Westbury Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portsmouth UK Posts: 34	Hidden Camera For Short Scene ? Hi This is my first post on here. I've searched this site, and others, and I haven't really found any answers yet, so here goes. I'm currently making a film, with the help of a few friends. There's a short scene we need to film on a train. I have permission from the train company for this, and it is a relatively simple one. There will be one two actors on the train. Just as the train pulls into a station, one actor stands up to leave the train. As she does this, the other actor recognises her as an old friend, and follows her off the train. I'm thinking of how to best do this shot. It will be just a normal train, and it's likely to have other passengers on it. From previous experience of filming in public, I know that at times, people tend to notice and stare at the camera, which can spoil the shot. I've mentioned this concern to a few people and a couple of them suggested disguising the camera so that no-one notices it. But when I asked how I could do this, the ideas ran out. I guess I could try it this way, so I'm hoping that someone here can make suggestions on how I could actually do it. The camera I'd use would be a JVC mini dv (GR-DX57). Old and dated looking I know, but it does the job. Here are some pictures of it just so you can see what size it is (photographed next to a bunch of keys and a watch for perspective) http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Picture003.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Picture002.jpg Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions would be gratefully received on this one. :)

November 19th, 2006, 12:08 PM	#3
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Hi John, and welcome to the site! If you tell people what you're doing and set up the scenario for them, won't they play along and ignore the camera? I've set up shots and asked people to act as extras; even little kids usually comply. You'd have to place one of your friends at the scheduled stop to clue in people there, plus, a medium close up could exclude gawkers in the distance. I watched a video by one of our members where he hid a camera that size in his jacket. It was funny, but hardly what you'd be looking for in a film. I wouldn't think you could disguise/hide it yet still frame and stablize. Hope it goes well! :) __________________ Lorinda

November 26th, 2006, 07:58 PM	#6
John Westbury Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portsmouth UK Posts: 34	Did it ! Many thanks for all your replies. It worked out well in the end. The trains were nearly empty (Sunday afternoon) so we had one end of a carriage to ourselves, and didn't need to try and hide the camera. Nobody who did see it took any notice anyway, which is a bonus. Someone else I know tried to film someone walking along a road and getting into a taxi. It was the middle of summer, so there were people everywhere. But there was one bloke who stared right at the camera when he went past. At least that didn't happen today. __________________ "Well I was working on that Orchid Preservation Society website, but I got sort of bogged down with it . . ."

November 19th, 2006, 02:16 AM	#2
Lee Wilson Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 376	I am not sure what to disguise it as but with 700x zoom does the camera even need to leave your house ? ;)

November 20th, 2006, 02:06 AM	#5
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	you can use any camera, even big sized if you take care to put it into a carton box you could put on your shoulder.