Putting a car in tow for night driving scene = Safe?

[Dylan Pank]

Originally Posted by Brian Drysdale

<snip>
On the move, the big problem is hiding the sound recordist - the car boot or trunk if you're not towing is best.

NO! Come on, I thought we were talking about doing this safely! Under absolutely no cirmcumstances should a sound recordist be made to travel in the boot of a moving car.

If you really can't just set the mics and levels previously and then double check playback, then spring for radio mics.

It happens, but it shouldn't. Directors and ADs shouldn't ask for it, sound recordists shouldn't do it.

Read this if you want some professional opinions.

[Xiaoli Wang]

Thanks again to everyone for the advice and guidance.

We ended up shooting the entire thing on a green screen and finished the project in record time (it was due May 2). I'm pretty pleased with the way it looks.

Here is the rough cut:

http://webspace.utexas.edu/xw57/coll...xportgamma.mov (9 minutes, 30MB, H.264)

[Brian Drysdale]

Originally Posted by Dylan Pank

NO! Come on, I thought we were talking about doing this safely! Under absolutely no cirmcumstances should a sound recordist be made to travel in the boot of a moving car.

If you really can't just set the mics and levels previously and then double check playback, then spring for radio mics.

It happens, but it shouldn't. Directors and ADs shouldn't ask for it, sound recordists shouldn't do it.

Read this if you want some professional opinions.

Any filming in or around moving cars has to be carefully planned with safety in mind. Operating the camera inside the car can be equally as dangerous. Old cars, as described in your link, are a safety risk unless well maintained.