What is the protocol when shooting with Press?

John Sirb · June 4th, 2008, 06:04 PM

Ernest, I know this was your first scrum, but a couple of things come to mind. I think your earlier comment about the NP's 'Media Person' not being savvy was spot on IMO. If they were having you record the PC for just a record of the event, then you just get what you can get.

You mentioned some 'uninvited' media people showed up. not sure what 'uninvited' means as I willing to bet their assignment editors received a notice about it from the organization. most don't usually RSVP if their sending a crew.

if their intent was to use some of the event for later use, they should have worked with you to accomplish some extra shooting before hand.
the other posters have offered up some excellent advice and you have learn to react.

To me, it appears that your contact at the NP didn't handle it very well. a good PR person will be able to keep thngs from getting out of hand.

but hey, now you know for the next time :>)

Les Wilson · June 4th, 2008, 07:02 PM

It's a good thread and now more informative with the post event discussion on "the scrum protocol".

The discussion before the event didn't cover "the scrum" so it seemed like the very folks I was trying to respect by din of this discussion were the ones who broke protocol. Understand it was not just me that got screwed. There were others from local media with jobs etc that stayed with the protocol and briefing. So is it that if you are the top dog in the room you can be a snot? Is there always a scrum?

John Sirb · June 4th, 2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernest House

It's a good thread and now more informative with the post event discussion on "the scrum protocol".

The discussion before the event didn't cover "the scrum" so it seemed like the very folks I was trying to respect by din of this discussion were the ones who broke protocol. Understand it was not just me that got screwed. There were others from local media with jobs etc that stayed with the protocol and briefing. So is it that if you are the top dog in the room you can be a snot? Is there always a scrum?

Local shooters got blocked?
Were these 'others' shooters network?
I understand then...as they say been there, felt that

Heiko Saele · June 5th, 2008, 06:46 AM

I'm working for a smaller regional tv station, so we rarely cover big events with lots of teams - but sometimes we do.

My experience is that starting with a certain number of eng teams and photogs, the whole thing is becoming a freaking kindergarten. You can't prevent it, it just always happens...
Most eng teams are ok, but there's always a few who are extra intolerant. I once made the mistake to step back from a rail just a little and suddenly my lens was covered in hair because some idiot cameraman shoved himself in the small space between me and the rail. It was totally ridiculous and I can understand people becoming aggressive...

A freelancer who is working for national stations told me that he has been at events were he would essentially just set his lens to wide angle and focus 1m and after that use his left arm and elbow as a weapon to shove away people.

Heiko Saele · June 5th, 2008, 06:47 AM

double - delete please

Brian Drysdale · June 5th, 2008, 07:56 AM

Media scrums tend to single mindedly latch onto the subject for has long as possible and move in a group, with each member jostling for the best shot and trying not to miss anything. It's worst when the full international press pack arrives and everything gets competitive.

The worst ones I've seen are those around graves at burials. Fortunately, I've only heard of one story of a photographer falling into the grave, although, I expect there are other examples of this worldwide.

June 4th, 2008, 06:04 PM	#16
John Sirb Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Amherst, OH Posts: 134	Ernest, I know this was your first scrum, but a couple of things come to mind. I think your earlier comment about the NP's 'Media Person' not being savvy was spot on IMO. If they were having you record the PC for just a record of the event, then you just get what you can get. You mentioned some 'uninvited' media people showed up. not sure what 'uninvited' means as I willing to bet their assignment editors received a notice about it from the organization. most don't usually RSVP if their sending a crew. if their intent was to use some of the event for later use, they should have worked with you to accomplish some extra shooting before hand. the other posters have offered up some excellent advice and you have learn to react. To me, it appears that your contact at the NP didn't handle it very well. a good PR person will be able to keep thngs from getting out of hand. but hey, now you know for the next time :>) __________________ John Sirb Lake Breeze Video

June 4th, 2008, 07:02 PM	#17
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	It's a good thread and now more informative with the post event discussion on "the scrum protocol". The discussion before the event didn't cover "the scrum" so it seemed like the very folks I was trying to respect by din of this discussion were the ones who broke protocol. Understand it was not just me that got screwed. There were others from local media with jobs etc that stayed with the protocol and briefing. So is it that if you are the top dog in the room you can be a snot? Is there always a scrum?

June 5th, 2008, 06:46 AM	#19
Heiko Saele Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wurzburg, Germany Posts: 316	I'm working for a smaller regional tv station, so we rarely cover big events with lots of teams - but sometimes we do. My experience is that starting with a certain number of eng teams and photogs, the whole thing is becoming a freaking kindergarten. You can't prevent it, it just always happens... Most eng teams are ok, but there's always a few who are extra intolerant. I once made the mistake to step back from a rail just a little and suddenly my lens was covered in hair because some idiot cameraman shoved himself in the small space between me and the rail. It was totally ridiculous and I can understand people becoming aggressive... A freelancer who is working for national stations told me that he has been at events were he would essentially just set his lens to wide angle and focus 1m and after that use his left arm and elbow as a weapon to shove away people.

June 5th, 2008, 06:47 AM	#20
Heiko Saele Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wurzburg, Germany Posts: 316	double - delete please

June 5th, 2008, 07:56 AM	#21
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Media scrums tend to single mindedly latch onto the subject for has long as possible and move in a group, with each member jostling for the best shot and trying not to miss anything. It's worst when the full international press pack arrives and everything gets competitive. The worst ones I've seen are those around graves at burials. Fortunately, I've only heard of one story of a photographer falling into the grave, although, I expect there are other examples of this worldwide.