Health and Safety Considerations for Filming

Being prepared and well planned is an essential skill for practical productions within the media industry.  Film companies and TV production crew never just turn up at a location unannounced and start filming, they have already a clear idea of what lies on the horizon.

By completing a recce (a pre-visit) of your preferred location, you should be able to identify any potential difficulties when filming.  This can include moving objects like cars and trains, to structures like buildings, steps, etc.  It's also a great way of finding out what the light is like, noise levels, and for collecting ideas together.

Below is a professional template used by film companies when assessing suitability, and below that is a AS Media Studies student exemplar.  READ through it, most of it is common sense.

You must complete one of these before filming, you cannot film without one!

Film production risk assessment form from Graveney School

 

And here's the student exemplar http://anne-mariegmedia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/risk-assessment.html 

 

A walkthrough is a very good way of covering yourself, this is where you arrive at location, film and discuss what you can see (hazards, possible shooting locations).  

Given the advent of phones that can do anything, you need to research where you are going to film your masterpiece.  You will know where you want to film, but you should give as much evidence as possible (photographic) showing where you will shoot.  Is it a public place or private home?  If shooting in the public, you should really consider the danger posed to you and by you - ask your teacher for a letter confirming your role as a media student and by no means should you go wandering around town at night with a mask and real knife...you'd be surprised by how many students have done this.