Hoop Jumping

Low budget, gorilla style video making is nearly impossible now days. In an age of fear and paranoia, the mere sight of a camera just about anywhere is cause for persecution. Call me ignorant, but I just don’t get it. It’s my job to go out and document things in the world, but people freak out when you show up wanting to film stuff. What’s it going to hurt? I’ve got a blond in a business suit addressing the camera about how great the American air transportation system is.

Clearly I’m up to no good.

Shooting at airports, especially, is an exercise in futility. Not one, but four different organizations oversee the operation of an airport. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) are in charge of the tower and air traffic control. The Port Authority governs the runway and the buildings that make up the terminals. These terminals are then leased to the carrier who then operate the terminals and gates and own the planes you fly on, but the TSA (Transportation Safety Agency) are in charge of screening passengers.

If you want to film at an airport you have to juggle between these four different agencies, and believe me they don’t always play nice with one another. Just because you have a buddy in the FAA means nothing to The Port Authority. And if a carrier (for example: Continental) is having issues with their terminal’s carpet (yes, I said their carpet) then you can forget about filming in their terminal, because even though The Port Authority owns the building, Continental leases it and it’s up to them.

There’s one simple way to make all of this headache free…

…planning.

Sure, you could take the script, identify what needs to be shot where, contact these organizations ahead of time, and make all the necessary arrangements. Clearly this would be the logical and sane way to go about production…

…but that’s not how I’m permitted to work.

I’m expected to go up to my location without ever seeing the script, and have it emailed to me the day after I get there, and spend the next few days scrambling to get everything I need in the most disorderly fashion. I hate working like this…but!

You will never find me complaining, because one thing I believe very strongly in is:

Adapt or Die.

I like to think of these adverse conditions as a challenge.

Is it the way I would have done it?

No.

But it’s a testament to my intelligence and abilities if I can adapt to the poor conditions and come through successful.

That’s the reward, a feeling of accomplishment.

-D