running question
 

What does run and gun mean? Someone asked me if I did run and gun with my small camcorder. I told him I run sometimes with my zr20. What does this mean exactly?

i consider run and gun as being "shooting on the fly" or basically you dont know whats going to happen so youre always ready to hit that record button....

weddings, parties, live events can be considered run and gun...

Thanks Peter. I thought it was running and recording video at the same time or running from guns and bullets while recording. Stupid me.

"Run and gun" has been a common phrase in the tv news business. If I am "running and gunning" I'm usually moving pretty quickly and shooting off-the-shoulder...no time for a tripod! I might get some natural sound, or even a quick interview, but don't waste much time so I can get on to the next story.

Another tv news phrase is to go and "spray" an event. This generally means to grab a few quick shots off-the-shoulder, the usual wide, medium, and maybe a closeup or two. Get in and get out, don't worry much about sound.

In both these cases, you could say that the photog needs to "shoot and scoot".

I'm writing this from work, and would love to stick around and write a little more, but it's time to jump in the car, turn on the scanners and go "cruise for news".

Indie movie makers also use the term to indicate an illegal shoot. As in, if you don't have a shooting a permit, you illegally shoot somewhere with the hope of getting in and out as fast you can.

I run and I am going to start running and video recording at the same time and I will try getting in and out fast. I think this is cool.