Any mention of RAIN in contract at DVinfo.net

Doug Bennett · July 27th, 2009, 08:55 PM

Anyone have a specific clause mentioning weather in their contract? What do you do if they want to go ahead with a wedding ceremony in light rain? How to protect wireless mics etc

Bryan Daugherty · July 27th, 2009, 10:57 PM

I used to have one that allowed us to make judgment calls as to whether circumstances beyond our control prevented filming. I worded it to include circumstances that could potentially be hazardous to our equipment or persons, including but not limited to unsafe location, weather conditions, acts of god, or persons behaving in a manner that increased the chance of harm to equipment or personnel...etc, etc...but now that I went looking for it, i realized that it got removed when we updated our contract last year... Guess I will have to look back and add it back in. Whatever, you use to get your idea across you will want to have an attorney look it over to make sure it complies with the laws in your area...

Dave Blackhurst · July 28th, 2009, 11:29 AM

I just have sports packs for my cameras... I can shoot in 100% humidity to about 17 feet if needed <wink>! Or in a dust storm... Not so sure about my iRivers and mics...

You should have some provisions in your contract for those things you cannot control, just to be careful - no different from having cancellation clauses, delivery clauses, sections specifying dates and times, etc.

Don Bloom · July 28th, 2009, 02:31 PM

over the last 2 weekends 2 of my outdoor ceremonies were in some bit of rain (not to mention the one I did with 30-40 mph winds cutting across but that's another story).
To cover my cameras I use garbage bags. Yep, small white bags, I cut 2 edges off and simply use some gaff tape to hold them in place. I leave the lens uncovered of course (don't laugh, I know someone who actually covered the lens then couldn't figure why the footage sucked) and I cover the receiver. As for mics I had a mic on a stand in front of the DJs speaker (suppling music and a mic to the officiant) and simply used the foam wind screen and a homemade deadrat. Did the job. The transmitter is in it's own case made for it. As long as the gear is well covered and I've got an umbrella ;-) or better yet my rainsuit, I'm good to go.
BTW the body paks for the lavs are covered by the grooms coat so I feel comfortable with that. Fortunately it was a light rain in both cases and really doesn't happen but every once in a while.

John De Rienzo · July 28th, 2009, 02:47 PM

Hi Don,

You should come to England. We have had nothing but rain every day since the beginning of July, apart from this saturday!

Cheers.

Don Bloom · July 28th, 2009, 04:05 PM

Thanks John,

I'd love to come to England but only if you can guarantee zero rain for the time I'm there. ;-)

Oren Arieli · July 28th, 2009, 06:33 PM

I live in California. What is this 'rain' thing you speak of. Seriously though, if it's an outdoor event in 'iffy' conditions, I can't imagine that people would stay long in pouring rain. At least, not for a wedding. ENG is a different beast and you need to have a rain-jacket for your camera.
In a pinch, take a golf umbrella, light stand and some sandbags and set them up at your position. Forget the sand bags and expect to keep a hand on the light stand...not a wise move.
Keep a clear garbage bag handy (pack a few in your 'emergency' kit).
If you want to look truly silly, wear one of those umbrella hats (I believe they only come in rainbow colors). You're sure to make an impression.
Running away from an event because of inclement weather is sometimes necessary...but you better have something in writing allowing you to do so.

Don Bloom · July 28th, 2009, 06:40 PM

yep, pouring rain during a wedding not a chance I'd stay out there. I agree, ENG different animal.
The rain I encountered was more of a 'heavy drizzle'-annoying but not really uncomfortable and yes I've seen the umbrella hats. I told my wife if she ever saw me wearing one she has my permission to kill me. ;-)

Steven Davis · May 23rd, 2010, 04:20 PM

After 7 years of business, I just ran into my first rain. We covered with garbage bags and plugged through. I think I lost my zoom controller though, it just quit working.

I was stuck, everyone was willing to do the wedding in the rain, it was hard for me to be the only nay sayer. This wasn't a light rain, it was right steady. I guess I need to look at my contract, but I haven't the slightest of how to word "If it's raining, I don't film."

Philip Howells · May 23rd, 2010, 05:48 PM

The practicality of the answers and lack of censure is a credit to the courtesy of this forum. Doug, weddings are events and that means investing in rain covers, protection against sand storm or sub-zero temperatures, depending solely on where you're working. Caveats in Terms of Business don't cut it.

I admire Don's garbage bag solution - that takes hudspah. As a someone who's spent mucho dinero on Porta Brace products, it makes me feel a bit of a wuss.

Steven Davis · May 23rd, 2010, 06:22 PM

Well, I have a portabrace cover for my Z1u, but I mount so much crap on top of my cameras, the garbage bags work better.

Don Bloom · May 23rd, 2010, 09:25 PM

yep, portabrace covers for my fullsized cams but honestly, I spent so much on them I got tired of spending so for the small cams it's the white bags. they work great, they cover everything I keep on the camera and they're cheap. If I lose it, who cares. I use it then throw it away (the tape kind of makes it unuseable) and like I've said before, I don't care what it looks like as long as it works.
Kinda like me. ;-)

Dimitris Mantalias · May 24th, 2010, 12:19 AM

For years now we are using something like that for our camcorders.

RC-15 (CRC-15) Compact Rain Cover - For Sony HDR-FX1 Or HVR-Z1 Camcorders - Reviews & Prices @ Yahoo! Shopping

as for the contracts, we specifically point out that if there are certain weather elements that are beyond any measure we might take, then we have the right to adapt our work to the new circumstances. That's all for safety though. We have shot in the rain many times.

Renton Maclachlan · May 24th, 2010, 04:48 AM

A dead easy, cheap, and highly effective cover is a regular plastic bag of appropriate size for the camera. You pay a couple of dollars for a box of 10 or so. You want 'quiet/soft' plastic not the crinkly oven bag sort.

Carefully cut a hole in one side, about a third up from the bottom (or appropriate for your camera - the bags are cheap so you can experiment!!), and slightly smaller that the lens/filter diameter - I think I cut the hole about 5mm smaller all around. (I have a rubber lens hood which I take off first and put back on when the bag is in place). Put the bag over the camera with the opening facing down. Pull the hole in the bag over the outside of the lens/filter - if you have cut it right it will stretch and be tight and water proof - .

I had several cameras out in torrential rain for over an hour in bags like this and not a drop of water got on them. The LCD can be open and you can see what you are filming through the plastic bag. Fantastic.

July 27th, 2009, 08:55 PM	#1
Doug Bennett Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 260	Any mention of RAIN in contract Anyone have a specific clause mentioning weather in their contract? What do you do if they want to go ahead with a wedding ceremony in light rain? How to protect wireless mics etc

July 27th, 2009, 10:57 PM	#2
Bryan Daugherty Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lexington, Ky - USA Posts: 552	I used to have one that allowed us to make judgment calls as to whether circumstances beyond our control prevented filming. I worded it to include circumstances that could potentially be hazardous to our equipment or persons, including but not limited to unsafe location, weather conditions, acts of god, or persons behaving in a manner that increased the chance of harm to equipment or personnel...etc, etc...but now that I went looking for it, i realized that it got removed when we updated our contract last year... Guess I will have to look back and add it back in. Whatever, you use to get your idea across you will want to have an attorney look it over to make sure it complies with the laws in your area... __________________ 3x-HD1000u - Ikan 8000HD- custom i7 PC - Vegas Pro 13 and 11 64 bit - Premiere Pro CS4 - and a whole mess of other equipment...

July 28th, 2009, 02:31 PM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	over the last 2 weekends 2 of my outdoor ceremonies were in some bit of rain (not to mention the one I did with 30-40 mph winds cutting across but that's another story). To cover my cameras I use garbage bags. Yep, small white bags, I cut 2 edges off and simply use some gaff tape to hold them in place. I leave the lens uncovered of course (don't laugh, I know someone who actually covered the lens then couldn't figure why the footage sucked) and I cover the receiver. As for mics I had a mic on a stand in front of the DJs speaker (suppling music and a mic to the officiant) and simply used the foam wind screen and a homemade deadrat. Did the job. The transmitter is in it's own case made for it. As long as the gear is well covered and I've got an umbrella ;-) or better yet my rainsuit, I'm good to go. BTW the body paks for the lavs are covered by the grooms coat so I feel comfortable with that. Fortunately it was a light rain in both cases and really doesn't happen but every once in a while. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

July 28th, 2009, 04:05 PM	#6
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Thanks John, I'd love to come to England but only if you can guarantee zero rain for the time I'm there. ;-) __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

July 28th, 2009, 06:40 PM	#8
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	yep, pouring rain during a wedding not a chance I'd stay out there. I agree, ENG different animal. The rain I encountered was more of a 'heavy drizzle'-annoying but not really uncomfortable and yes I've seen the umbrella hats. I told my wife if she ever saw me wearing one she has my permission to kill me. ;-) __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

July 28th, 2009, 11:29 AM	#3
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	I just have sports packs for my cameras... I can shoot in 100% humidity to about 17 feet if needed <wink>! Or in a dust storm... Not so sure about my iRivers and mics... You should have some provisions in your contract for those things you cannot control, just to be careful - no different from having cancellation clauses, delivery clauses, sections specifying dates and times, etc.

July 28th, 2009, 02:47 PM	#5
John De Rienzo Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: London Posts: 313	Hi Don, You should come to England. We have had nothing but rain every day since the beginning of July, apart from this saturday! Cheers.

July 28th, 2009, 06:33 PM	#7
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 918	I live in California. What is this 'rain' thing you speak of. Seriously though, if it's an outdoor event in 'iffy' conditions, I can't imagine that people would stay long in pouring rain. At least, not for a wedding. ENG is a different beast and you need to have a rain-jacket for your camera. In a pinch, take a golf umbrella, light stand and some sandbags and set them up at your position. Forget the sand bags and expect to keep a hand on the light stand...not a wise move. Keep a clear garbage bag handy (pack a few in your 'emergency' kit). If you want to look truly silly, wear one of those umbrella hats (I believe they only come in rainbow colors). You're sure to make an impression. Running away from an event because of inclement weather is sometimes necessary...but you better have something in writing allowing you to do so.

May 23rd, 2010, 04:20 PM	#9
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	After 7 years of business, I just ran into my first rain. We covered with garbage bags and plugged through. I think I lost my zoom controller though, it just quit working. I was stuck, everyone was willing to do the wedding in the rain, it was hard for me to be the only nay sayer. This wasn't a light rain, it was right steady. I guess I need to look at my contract, but I haven't the slightest of how to word "If it's raining, I don't film." __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

May 23rd, 2010, 05:48 PM	#10
Philip Howells Trustee Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 1,212	The practicality of the answers and lack of censure is a credit to the courtesy of this forum. Doug, weddings are events and that means investing in rain covers, protection against sand storm or sub-zero temperatures, depending solely on where you're working. Caveats in Terms of Business don't cut it. I admire Don's garbage bag solution - that takes hudspah. As a someone who's spent mucho dinero on Porta Brace products, it makes me feel a bit of a wuss.

May 23rd, 2010, 06:22 PM	#11
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Well, I have a portabrace cover for my Z1u, but I mount so much crap on top of my cameras, the garbage bags work better. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

May 23rd, 2010, 09:25 PM	#12
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	yep, portabrace covers for my fullsized cams but honestly, I spent so much on them I got tired of spending so for the small cams it's the white bags. they work great, they cover everything I keep on the camera and they're cheap. If I lose it, who cares. I use it then throw it away (the tape kind of makes it unuseable) and like I've said before, I don't care what it looks like as long as it works. Kinda like me. ;-) __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

May 24th, 2010, 12:19 AM	#13
Dimitris Mantalias Major Player Join Date: May 2009 Location: Arta, Greece Posts: 342	For years now we are using something like that for our camcorders. RC-15 (CRC-15) Compact Rain Cover - For Sony HDR-FX1 Or HVR-Z1 Camcorders - Reviews & Prices @ Yahoo! Shopping as for the contracts, we specifically point out that if there are certain weather elements that are beyond any measure we might take, then we have the right to adapt our work to the new circumstances. That's all for safety though. We have shot in the rain many times. __________________ "A successful wedding videographer is the one that offers for viewing some excellent videos and some boring videos, and gets positive reviews for both".

May 24th, 2010, 04:48 AM	#14
Renton Maclachlan Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,180	A dead easy, cheap, and highly effective cover is a regular plastic bag of appropriate size for the camera. You pay a couple of dollars for a box of 10 or so. You want 'quiet/soft' plastic not the crinkly oven bag sort. Carefully cut a hole in one side, about a third up from the bottom (or appropriate for your camera - the bags are cheap so you can experiment!!), and slightly smaller that the lens/filter diameter - I think I cut the hole about 5mm smaller all around. (I have a rubber lens hood which I take off first and put back on when the bag is in place). Put the bag over the camera with the opening facing down. Pull the hole in the bag over the outside of the lens/filter - if you have cut it right it will stretch and be tight and water proof - . I had several cameras out in torrential rain for over an hour in bags like this and not a drop of water got on them. The LCD can be open and you can see what you are filming through the plastic bag. Fantastic.