ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

12 years, 11 months ago - ZAK SHUKOR

Not really cameras you need but a good lens.
Fast prime lenses, on any digital format. Old Nikkor non AI lenses at f1.4 50mm, dirt cheap lenses with flattish contrast comes to mind, no lights needed, if you use fast lens. Good luck

12 years, 11 months ago - A D Cooper

Hi Andrew
I've shot on the tube but not guerilla style as TFL take a dim view of filming without permission and this can preclude the film getting out there. If you would like to see the film including the footage, let me know and I will forward a link. You can hire a tube train at any time during the day at Charing Cross and you get a train, driver and about 40 seconds in a tunnel on each run you do. It's probably beyond your budget as two hours using 5D camera cost UKP1500 (bigger camera is twice the price) but it was worth it for the control you got - I needed the train to stop and all the lights to go out. One word of warning: it's very hard to film across a carriage and not get the cameraperson reflected in the window opposite (whatever the lighting). We had to beg some special effects to obliterate his presence. I know this doesn't entirely answer your question but thought I'd add my tuppenceworth.

12 years, 11 months ago - Angela Peters

Hi Andrew,
I haven't but I know two producers who just finished a feature and they did night filming on a train when they did their low budget trailer for the movie. Feel free to look at the Last Passenger trailer on YouTube and if that is the sort of thing that looks useful, I'll gladly put you in touch with them. Even for that trailer they did have a budget but it wasn't a big one. But they managed to make it appear much higher budget. Just message me if you want to chat further.

Good luck with your project!
Angela

12 years, 11 months ago - Andrea Angelini

Hi Andrew,

it would be great to have permission and proper lighting, but I know it costs a lot of money.
You definitely need fast lenses as Zak said, but you need a good camera as well. The 550D/7D or normal video cameras don't perform very well at high isos, so I would go for the 5D MKII or better MKIII if you can get it. Also if you shoot at 1.4 the shallow depth of field is a nightmare for focus.
The available light in those places is normally very ugly, so you should try to make a bit more interesting. A cheap solution is to get a couple of camera Leds (http://www.amazon.co.uk/160-LED-D400-D200-Olympus-Panasnic-Camcorders/dp/B003LAB34I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1344591516&sr=8-3)and diffuse them through a big piece of diffusion or the white side of a reflector.

12 years, 11 months ago - Yen Rickeard

It is always best to get permissions where you can. You can often blag access and rights. However, if you are really going for guerrilla there are some options. For platforms, there are a number of anonymous looking unmanned stations in the sticks where you so-one will know you ever were there.
For inside carriages, try talking to one of the many steam-railways run by volunteers. They also run non-steam trains. While they need money to run these lines, they tend to understand guerrilla, and may give you permissions to film.

12 years, 11 months ago - Andrew Ionides

Hi guys!

Thank you so much! This is very useful research.

Obviously, the main problem is money and, whilst I would feel more comfortable asking permission to film on stations and carriages, I know some train companies charge a lot of money for filmmakers. I recently run into a problem with one company that quoted me one amount then when I reduced the hours and crew members they charged me more! I have no idea how they work out their figures!

Anyway, each of your answers are very valuable advice which I will think about closer to the time of filming.

Many thanks again guys!

12 years, 11 months ago - Andrew Ionides

By the way, does anyone know if there are any penalty's for filming without permission on carriages or stations?