How Creators Stay Safe Filming on City Streets

Have you ever been so swept away in trying to create the perfect video that you forgot the uncontrollability of the chaotic nature of a busy city street? According to the National Safety Council, every year, millions of emergency departments encounter injuries caused by accidents.

Filming in the city gives the difficulties of traffic, or cyclists, and people on the sidewalks. However, with proper planning and safety precautions, these issues can be minimized. The following article is about safe practices during filming in the streets.

Start with Thorough Route Scouting

Getting a good start with street shooting involves much more than once you start shooting. It starts earlier. The content creator can know the traffic flow and possible hazards in the area by scouting it.

Notice the level of activity throughout the day, whether bicycles are available, construction is in progress, low-visibility intersections, etc. There are also cases that weather conditions can create a threat, such as torrential rain, strong winds or insufficient lighting, so it’s also better to store a backup location.

Build a Traffic-Aware Shot List

The tradition of trying to get the best photos possible remains, but never at the cost of safety of crew members. Shape the shot line to work with the street layout and not the actors or equipment.

Putting talent at a compression angle on a broad sidewalk may give the appearance of being in the thick of it while not placing them in close proximity to moving vehicles. If you make your setup late in the morning or during off peak hours, you’re able to eliminate some of the chaos that your crew needs to track.

Designate Someone to Look out for Hazards

A simple but effective operational protection that any production crew should put into place is by having someone just assigned the task of keeping watch on safety. The camera person would be responsible for the framing and the host for running lines while the spotter would be solely responsible for possible hazards coming up from traffic such as vehicle delivery trucks, approaching cyclists or road users.

The split-focus protocol helps the crew avoid sudden “blindsided” incidents. A spotter will have 100% spatial awareness, and will be the only person allowed to stop the filming immediately as the hazard enters the perimeter.

Know the Permit Requirements and Respect Cyclists

Most municipalities require permits from film companies for commercial film production that involves using a tripod or heavy lighting stand for the work or extends into or on the sidewalk. Ensuring the right authorizations can prevent local law enforcement from making unwanted fine visits and fining an independent production.

Active bike lanes are to be uses as dedicated roadways and should not be used to stage equipment or production personnel. In the event that it impacts on a lane and triggers the unforeseen collision, navigating the legal repercussions demands special security.

A good hit while biking lawyer in Phoenix will give insight into what you need to do following the accident. They will offer critical insights into state-specific traffic codes, evidentiary standards, and liability distribution following a street-level incident.

Prepare for Emergencies Before They Happen

No matter what precautions you take, accidents can occur at any time during shooting. There should be a simple emergency action plan prepared in advance, which all people should know before the start of filming.

If a collision or near collision does occur, avoid the danger to all involved by exiting to safety. If injuries have occurred report to emergency services and administer first aid as necessary. An emergency plan can help to control things well.

Document Every Incident Carefully

After any collision or major safety event, good documentation is priceless. There are certain sets of facts that production teams should collect right after the incident, to keep the facts clean. To collect the following:

• Detailed photographs of the scene
• Documented damage to equipment
• Complete witness contact information

Whatever information that you collect might be crucial in the future. In an accident occurrence, a statement of responsibility should never be made. You have to pay attention to gathering information as it’s still in your mind. Having proper records helps you ease the process of claiming insurance and any subsequent legal action.

Purchase the Right Insurance

When making filmworks on your own as an independent filmmaker, insurance is something that you don’t think about. Liability coverage may be able to serve as protection against any damages that might result from an injury or damage to others or property owned by another person.

If your camera, lens, microphone and lighting is something you value, you won’t have to worry about it getting damaged if you have equipment insurance to cover them. If you get into bigger productions, more insurance coverage may be required. What is appropriate coverage will depend on the size of the production, equipment and locations.

Integrate Safety Into Your Creative Workflow

There need be no excessive dangers in compelling content. Every different creation by the best ones contains safety embedded in it that’s stated in the above article.

Proper preparation, documentation of the accident and possessing the type of insurance in place will lessen the anxiety when an accident occurs. Especially from the safety perspective, integrate it right into your creative process so you’ll create a high-quality piece without risk of coming to harm on the way to creating it.

To get into more detail of risk management in the field, check out our guides on safety-first pre-production planning.