Risk assessment for filming

1. Risk Assessment
When considering the risks of filming on location, we were required to
complete a risk assessment so as to ensure that any possible problem
that we could encounter has been planned and thought out thoroughly
before reaching the location.
Our first location was 'London Bridge’ and what is to follow is the risk
assessment that we have created.

2. Loss of Equipment
As we are filming out in the public and have a lot of shots to film, it is
possible that equipment such as the camera could be put down and left
behind both on location and whilst travelling via public transport. In order to
prevent equipment from being lost, the camera will be left in its case at all
times when not filming. It is then up to us if we put the strap of the case
round our necks to carry the camera, or to leave the case in one of our
rucksacks. This will reduce the possibility of apparatus being misplaced. We
will also ensure that there is at least one person watching any equipment
which isn’t being used. This may be harder for us, because one of our group
members is featuring in the video and two have to direct and film. Before we
start filming, we must take precautions that the one person who isn’t busy is
aware of what they must be watching. It is also possible that a passing
pedestrian could walk past and steal something, so we must keep an eye out
for this as well.

3. Damage to equipment
Filming on the move in public space, with limited time being a factor as well,
it is possible that equipment could get damaged. The afternoon is going to
be jammed packed with filming which means shots may be rushed and
therefore lead to the dropping of the camera. In order to prevent this, as a
group we are going to stick to a schedule to make sure that all shots are
filmed to time and that there is therefore no need to have to rush. We are
also going to make sure as already stated above that the camera is left in its
case when not being used therefore meaning that if it is dropped, there will
be no damage. Both a schedule and keeping the case on will reassure the
safety of the equipment. We will also ensure that we are all in flat footwear
and that the ground is flat where we will be filming to reduce the chances of
any of us slipping or tripping whilst holding the equipment.

4. Travel
In order to get to the London Bridge location, we will be first travelling
to the local train station by car where we will park our car, and then
commute up to London via train. To ensure the safety of the team
when in the car, all members will wear their seatbelt’s so that they are
covered in the event of an accident. We will be moving through busy
train stations so must also be aware of the dangers of passing trains
and stay clear of them.

5. Cars on London Bridge
London Bridge is public space and we won’t have any control over
transport which passes through it in the duration in which we will be
filming. Therefore, we must take safety precautions to ensure that we
aren’t standing near the road and if we do need to cross we will find
the nearest crossing.

6. People in public
We must be aware of people around us and take into consideration
that many pedestrians could be in a rush and won’t necessarily take
extra care when they see us. It is possible that someone may walk into
us and may not be polite about it. We must keep calm and show them
our letter from the school if they are someone with authority. In
addition to this, we must try, if possible to use a space on London
bridge which isn’t obstructed. For example, the centre of the bridge
may be busier than the entrances, which may be more suited to our
filming.

7. Adverse weather conditions
In the unlikely event of extreme weather conditions, we must consider
whether it will be safe enough to carry out our filming before we get
there and if we do chose to go, we must wear footwear with good grip
and wear warm clothing as we want to reduce the risk of any of our
group falling ill.