getting hit by a car...

[Niresangwa]

...or rather trying not to.

I have a shoot booked for august, it's a band. they want shots done by a certain bridge. the road is a rural road. In my mind, that means that though there may not be much traffic, what little there is may be moving like NASCAR...

I have two assistants, and have lighting equipment. I'm having the band sign the usual contract which includes liability issues, and will be adding a clause regarding this particular situation on account of a) shooting in the middle of the road and b) having possible limitations on the shots due to interruptions by traffic etc.

I plan to have one of the assistants playing the glamorous role of trying to slow down traffic from the direction where visibility is somewhat limited. i have a little yellow Hi-Viz jersey she can sport. I'm considering a sign she can hold also, asking them to slow down.

My main light will be held by the second assistant and is on a boom, and am optimistic i can place the other three lights in their positions off of the road and not in a place they can be unintentionally hit. I'm working wireless and don't have to worry about unwieldy battery packs being int he middle of the road.

I anticipate this taking <30 minutes and am shooting for only a few images in this location.

Anyone else been in a situation like this? Anything obvious I'm missing here? I can see why the shot is so attractive to the client, and have gone over this, but as clients usually are, they're excited and probably not thinking along the same prep and liability lines I am.

I just have an unsettled feeling about this.

TIA

[SusanH1970]

Have you considered contacting the local police and explaining that you are doing a photoshoot there, and are concerned about safety? They might consider having a car there for you. My sister in law is a retired CT State Trooper, if I can get ahold of her today I'll ask her about it.

[Niresangwa]

Thanks Susan! It had crossed my mind, but I wasn't sure what was all involved with that. There may be some 'MacGuyver Moments', to be sure. If nothing else, informing the police is just one more step I took on my end, I guess.

[SusanH1970]

If you don't want to get the police involved, you could always do what I see landscapers do around here - they park their trucks/trailers on the road (my road is narrow and winding and people FLY on it - I won't even go for walks on my road or let my son ride his bike on it, it's that bad) and put several traffic cones in the road ahead of where they are to warn drivers that the road is obstructed ahead. You can pick up cones at Home Depot.

[CheaperKings]

Originally Posted by BryanC

Let me first explain where my opinion comes from. I have worked most of life in the construction field and a good amount of it in traffic of some sort.

All kinds of signs, cones, barricades, message boards, flagpersons, etc...haven't prevented workers from being struck, injured or killed. Sometimes, no amount of safety control devices will prevent certain motorists' lack of awareness or plain stupidity. You would be surprised at some of the things I have seen first hand and the too many other incidents that have happened in general.

In your situation, as you described it...much less traffic control devices, low visibility, less warning for drivers, rural road (higher speeds)...and more likely, drivers who travel this road often and just aren't expecting a photoshoot to be taking place. In most places, you can't just have a flag person or any kind of traffic altering action unless you have a work permit to do so...(unless it's in case of an emergency, like an accident).

You used the words "optimistic" about placing your help out of harm's way and having an "unsettled feeling." That should tell you something. I think Susan had a good idea about contacting the local police...that is definitely an option. Otherwise, take more precautions. It may be light traffic, but it only takes one car. Different drivers will have different reactions, too. On the side of the road doesn't guarantee safety, either. A swerve to miss someone or something in the road, puts them at risk.

I'm not trying to be negative about your opportunity...just some things I had to bring up and have you think about. Your shoot can be done...just have these things in mind and be careful!

He's right. I'm a project manager in construction and we put up signs, lights, flaggers, banners, flares - you name it and these people fly right past that stuff like it wasn't even there. The public, in general, is stupid. Sure, there's a few real smart ones out there but it's the real dumb ones that screw it up for everyone else.

Just be as careful as possible. Tell the local law dogs there that you're going to be out there and what time. They might just send a car out there. Hell, it's only +/- 30 mins...

[jdepould]

To be blunt, if you can't get support from Police or DOT (and any permits that may include), I'd say don't use that location. If they band really wants to use that location, they should be prepared to do it right, which may cost a little bit more money.

[candleman]

Ignoring the safety issue a bit...

... I would contact the "City Council" as its called over here. Heres what our process looks like
for around $50 you can get a permit to do the job on any public/Government Land. Then nobody can tell you to leave. Once you have the permit i think Susans idea is a good one. They will be more wiling to listen to you if you say you have Council permission.
Note: Getting the permit would require a discussion about Saftey.. and i'm sure the Council will have a solution for ytou.

[BigVinnie]

Every area is different. Some areas require permits for anything that would disrupt sidewalk or road use. Some offer traffic control as part of the permit fees. General liability insurance is also required for a permit.

It is also illegal in many places to disrupt traffic without a permit. It is state law where I live. If anyone was to get hurt you could be in deep doodoo.

Step one would be to see if there is even a filming permit process for where you are at. Second would be to contact local law enforcement and see there are any issues there. They may offer to supply a traffic control officer, for a fee of course.

Your other option is to get in and out quick before anyone notices

[Jim Poor]

All that slowing traffic business on your own is probably illegal.

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

...or rather trying not to.

I have a shoot booked for august, it's a band. they want shots done by a certain bridge. the road is a rural road. In my mind, that means that though there may not be much traffic, what little there is may be moving like NASCAR...

I have two assistants, and have lighting equipment. I'm having the band sign the usual contract which includes liability issues, and will be adding a clause regarding this particular situation on account of a) shooting in the middle of the road and b) having possible limitations on the shots due to interruptions by traffic etc.

I plan to have one of the assistants playing the glamorous role of trying to slow down traffic from the direction where visibility is somewhat limited. i have a little yellow Hi-Viz jersey she can sport. I'm considering a sign she can hold also, asking them to slow down.

My main light will be held by the second assistant and is on a boom, and am optimistic i can place the other three lights in their positions off of the road and not in a place they can be unintentionally hit. I'm working wireless and don't have to worry about unwieldy battery packs being int he middle of the road.

I anticipate this taking <30 minutes and am shooting for only a few images in this location.

Anyone else been in a situation like this? Anything obvious I'm missing here? I can see why the shot is so attractive to the client, and have gone over this, but as clients usually are, they're excited and probably not thinking along the same prep and liability lines I am.

I just have an unsettled feeling about this.

TIA

[lonni]

Have you thought off applying to have a temporary road closure? Slowing trafficm getting in the way etc isnt a good idea, souds illeagal and there are other issues that coem into it, like who is laible if some one prangs trying to avoid you.

I know where i live it is possible to get the temp closure, and there are rules about listing it in the papers etc and barriers and alternate routes but i am sure that cost can be charged to the clients, if they insist on that location.

Also have you thought of shooting by your self and then shooting teh band seperately and photoshoping it? Is that possible or would it work?

HTH