Surprised...People do act different around a "Pro" look camera!
 

I'd always heard about the effect of a more pro looking camera...now I believe it.

Last summer I shot motorcycle drag racing with a little Pana GS250. Put it on the web and made a DVD which sold pretty well among the racers.

This year I showed up at the track with a GL2 on a nice tripod and noticed a few things.

1. Profesional courtesy....The "official" track photographer came over to talk cameras with me.
And when rain approached, he said I could use his room under the tower to protect my camera.

2. Access....I set up the camera in several places off limits to spectators and was never questioned or asked to move.

3. People just acted different....They didn't act "goofy", like when you point a little camera at them.
People didn't just step in front of the camera if they knew I was taping.
We set up at the winners circle and asked the winning riders for a few words....Wow! You would have thought I was taping for ESPN they way the responded.

It was fun!

Bob T.

I'm reminded by your post of a display window at a high-end menswear store in San Francisco I saw years ago - alongside a display of a Dior shirt, Armani suit, Bally shoes, Gucci briefcase was a little engraved card that said "To get where you want to be, you must look like you're already there."

This has been discussed in a number of threads. The "Big Cam" effect of carrying a bigger camera, or even a smaller camera tricked out with mattebox and extended mic, batteries etc. Most of the public has a subconcious (unconcious?) image in the back of their minds. It's the image they see of LARGE television cameras, set up in the back of the room during news conferences, it's the image of the reporter and videographer with the huge shoulder brick running down the street, it's the 'behind the scenes' footage on their favorite DVD that shows the Director and DP standing next to a Panavision or Mitchell Camera with those big 'mickey mouse ears' film magazines sitting on top.

Hence, 'bigger is professional' gets stuck in their minds. Cause the little camera that Uncle Joe has, doesn't look as good as the pros.


Sure, WE know the quality of the image isn't strictly dependant on the size of the camera - it's dependant on the skill of the operator.

(Huh, this is sounding suspiciously like a different argument...)

Nevertheless, when I show up with my XL2 with the 16x manual lens, the FU 1000 viewfinder, the dual CH910 battery pack on the back... yeah, it LOOKS as big and professional as the rest of the news crew. Heck, I've had News crews pick up and test drive the XL2 on shoots and comment "Yeah, we should get some of these."

So sure, in the sense that it LOOKS more professional, you'll get more respect, a little more 'lattitude' from officials, and as has been discussed on this board, clients will feel a little more comfortable with the set up.

Of course, more conspicuous is counter-productive when you are trying to be surreptitious... but that's another thread.

Oops, sorry!
Now that I think about it, I'm sure your right....

Normally I'm a search first kinda guy, but I was just so surprised by the change in attitude, I could hold back.

Oh well...can't wait to capture and look at the footage from the weekend....

Bob T.

You'd be amazed where a nice camera, an $8 logo'd shirt, and an assistant will get you! I still get oooooze and ahhhhhz from my old VX2100

Yeah, a logo t-shirt is good. A nice logo'd nameplate on the jacket is good too. (a little more upscale when you're wearing a jacket) Just 'acting' professional can go a long way in being perceived as professional - BECAUSE IT IS professional.

Confidence, politeness, and a big smile - even when people are upset - make it a lot easier to get what you need done, accomplished.

The flip side to this 'big-camera' issue is the 'nudist syndrome' (as I like to call it). I've always used a big rig (Betacam or more recently DSR300s) and noticed that people DO act differently in front of the rig....they avoid me like a nudist at a buffet. I think they are afraid of being on network television (even when I'm shooting a wedding). My usual joke during those events is that the satellite truck is right outside and this is going live. Some get it, others think I'm serious.

Its gotten to the point where I'll use the smaller camera at certain events just to get more 'natural' reactions and to be less intrusive (especially in tight quarters).

Still, I prefer the big rig for 90% of my work...cause the image rocks!

OK then.....a couple of shirts, one for me and one for my "assistant", (the dear wife), and I'm good to go...

Just need to get me a logo.....hmmmm

I find the "look" of my equipment makes a big diff in people's attitudes, partly because I'm a one-man band. But I have to show I know how to use it, too, or I'd give the worst impression of all.

Anyway, appearance counts for a lot, no question. I sometimes have pre-shoot meetings in a hospital. I get a lot fewer confrontational "May I help you" inquisitions from staff if I'm wearing a jacket and tie, rather than jeans and t-shirt.

Don't forget...

http://www.hollywooddreamfactory.com/newimages/meg2.gif

...if you wanna go that little bit OTT ;)

Seriously though, I was filming at NASS (National Adventure Sports Show) a few years ago and noticed this in quite an obvious fashion, there was about 5 of us at the bottom of this ramp where a few guys were all trying a certain transfer. At the end of the line, in the best shooting position, was an XL1, then the top VX at the time (we're talking '02 or '03 I think) then me with an XM1 and so forth down to an old DSR model. Natural selection or something ?

The only negative I had (VX2100, Beachtek, Hotshoe mounted AT835 with full Mike Muff) was always having to say that I was not shooting for the news ;).

yes i totally agree about the publics big is more pro i have been a tv pro cameraman for over 10 years and when out and about especially doing news
with a sony dsr or dvcpro on the shoulder i sometimes wished for a wee camera as it started to get boring with the(whit channel is that own big man and whit station are ya fa
as because it was a big camera it must be a tv station)but now when i take my wee canon hv20 out no one seems to bother(well nearly no one but you always get one.........so definetely in the publics eye big is more pro

Wow, I had not even thought about people reacting this way till I read this post and remembered the first outdoor wedding I did with my Pana DVC-30 with the XLR adapter, Azden shotgun and wireless lapel receiver on it, all on top of a nice tripod and me wearing headphones.

Had immediate friends with the wedding photographer and about every "hobbiest" photographer and videographer that came to the wedding.

I also have gotten the "news person" reaction when I videoed at some public events.

Interesting.....

Jeff

We all play our roles and have our props and costumes. Construction workers in suits and bankers in torn t-shirts would both get a lot of second looks.

I actually prefer the opposite. People act less self-consciously, and more candidly, around less intimidating equipment. This works in the event field, but it also seems to be true for actors.

I would much rather increase my invisibility with a camera.

Sure it might drum up the occasional business by folk who are impressed with gear, but the majority of my business comes from people who sample my work and those who get their finished product and word-of-mouth me jobs.
I find that my work is better when I am less of a magnet for eyes and people who come up to me when I am trying to actually film something.

I've got a rather impressive looking DVC60 setup, on a nice big Libec tripod, all in all, not expensive, but still, I was shooting some B-Roll after a local Lacrosse tournament, and I got kids asking whether or not I could put them on TV, and I got a lot of people asking me what channel this will be on once I stopped shooting to take a break. They all seemed so disappointed to hear that I was a freelancer working for one of the teams.

The thing I've noticed though is that I've never, ever been stopped by anyone when I have my big camera. I walk into an event, suddenly the people running it start asking whether or not they can help carry my gear, where I want to set up, what can we do for you, but never "What are you doing here?" or "What will this be used for?". No questions, just free access. But, on the flip side, I have had people clam up when I try to do the "man on the street" type interviews, where they would have been much more candid with a smaller camera. But, I've found the way to get around this is to have someone with you who's kind and personable to ask the questions and have someone for the talent to look at.

Ever get into private or huge events because of that cam? I have, I walked right through the doors of this huge sporting event with my gear and not even security so much as batted an eye!!! We're talking $150+ for a ticket min. and I just waltz right in...Gotta love it

Add a soundie with a boom to almost any camera and the reaction will change.

Marco,with my equipment I've certainly gotten into places that should have questioned my right to be there -- specificially, schools and hospitals. I wouldn't try to walk past the TSA screeners at an airport, though.

I just remember the Yale experiment for social psychology where they put people in lab coats vs people dressed otherwise and told them to do things that they should not (shocking a patient beyond the safe zone marked on the instruments). Someone wearing a labcoat could easily talk the subject into delivering harmful or lethal shocks.

Conclusion - People make too many assumptions based on looks alone.

"Grandma does your dog bite?"

Yeah I wouldn't either, lol, but based on some of my experiences at the airport security line.....some TSA "ain't all dat brite".

I prefer a larger camera...etc because it looks like more of a serious production. And when I see people... even with BETACAM, it does look serious. Of course, as a filmmaker, I know it is just a BETACAM. :-)

I recently took my XL2 through the airport...The screeners said something like "hey this guys from a TV network"

I'm thinking, " it's only an XL2..."

Size does matter...

I was wandering around Broadcast Live this week with the tiny AVCHD HSC1 filming promo bits and this guy who was demoing a full steadicam kit with a V1 attached gave me this look like we were both naked and he had a much bigger manhood than me...quite pathetic, really.

Jamie, there's a lot of that attitude around. I happened to be in Chicago when the HD Expo was there. I didn't look or act like a bigshot, so I ended up feeling like a little kid trying to mingle with a bunch of conceited grown-ups.

It's funny how people's perceptions have changed. I was recently (for fun) taping a concert at my kid's school. they had arranged with one of the other father's to tape it, create a DVD and sell it. I was there with my trusty VX3 (yes hi-8) crappy old no name tripod. He and I were talking with another friend of mine, and he, the guy hired, says to my friend. " I don't know why they hired me when he's here (meaning me)." Now there he was with a minidv (Consumer) and I had old tech, but the camera was larger (but small in comparison to my DSR 250) and he thought I had the big pro camera.

never did see his work, but given what I saw while he was taping... I don't think I want to.

Look like you know what you are doing, and look like you belong and it will get you very far. then you need the skills to back it up.

Apropos of this thread, I'm reading the book "Blink" - about how we make snap judgements, and how they can be both more efficient, and devastatingly 'wrong' depending on how we are 'programmed'.

No question that the cultural programming of the average Jil or Joe is that 'bigger is better' when it comes to the camera gear. So yeah, go ahead and take advantage of that fact. We all know that the end product depends on whats INSIDE both the camera and the operator - but it would be foolish to ignore the pre-judgement (prejudices) of the public regarding the appearance of the gear.

Agreed - Blink is an interesting read (try Freakonomics next).

Even in the corporate world, the Z1 is a sort of halfway mark. The self acclaimed media savvy suits sigh a bit (I've been asked "where's the camera?"). The strategists and the specialists marvel at shrinking technology. The shakers and movers tend to just get straight into the interview.

I'm also guilty of tricking out the Z1 with radio receviers, pointless big mic, matte box (and will add the Hawk Woods thingy at the back to take another receiver just to bulk it out a bit) for interviews. For run and gun, it's fine au naturelle - enough presence to get 'the nod', not enough to draw attention.

Having said that, was doing some GVs in Barcelona near the docks with a PD150. Got stopped and quizzed. Funnily enough, they were happy for me to continue GVs with my PDX-10 sans tripod.*

Good to have a choice.

* Note: hand holding the PD150 wasn't acceptable. Just the PDX-10 (and bean bag).