What are some tips to being able to film rides at parks. Wondering such things as how to get the video camera on the ride without the CM being able to spot it. Also what is the best way to keep it steady. Thanks.
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Filming Rides at Parks
- Thread starter InsideOtherPark
- Start date
David
Active Member
I have video taped just about every ride in WDW and a lot of the shows. Some shows will not allow the cameras and there will be a sign or a statement before the show begins about that. But I have never had any problem taping any rides. I don't know it the CM's just overlook it or what, but so far no problem.
As far as keeping it steady, that's a different problem with no easy solution unless your camera has the feature that adjust automatically to bounces and moves. If you do not have that, you will get some unwanted bounces, but usually they are not TOO bad.
As far as keeping it steady, that's a different problem with no easy solution unless your camera has the feature that adjust automatically to bounces and moves. If you do not have that, you will get some unwanted bounces, but usually they are not TOO bad.
spagmoid
Account Suspended
Usually those rules are for the benefit of others, a lot of people use their video screen when filming dark rides/shows and it is really disrespectful to other people. Some people even use their lights in dark rides. So just make sure you use the viewfinder!
Camera flashes are really annoying too, once I went through Haunted Mansion and 3 of the nearby cars had people taking flash pictures through the whole ride. If you have a laser pointer keychain, you can show the selfish bastards how it feels
Camera flashes are really annoying too, once I went through Haunted Mansion and 3 of the nearby cars had people taking flash pictures through the whole ride. If you have a laser pointer keychain, you can show the selfish bastards how it feels
orlpassholder
New Member
I have filmed many of the rides, and have been busted by CM's twice.
Most CM's do not care if you film etc. Just follow some rules. Do not use external lights (not to hard) I never use external lights at all. No external viewfinders (new cameras) Those things can be very distracting to guests around you so be nice. That includes when filming parades.
Usually I try to get to the back of any theater show etc for filming. I usually try and get in the middle (dead middle seat) if possible. That way I usually dont have to many people around me that would be bothered by me filming. as far as rides like pooh or peterpan go well no big deal there film away just dont use the external lights etc.
To date I have succesfully filmed
COP
TimeKeeper(need to reshoot)
Alien Encounter(need to reshoot the pre show with skippy)
Hall of Presidents
The American Adventure
The Legend of The Lion King
Most CM's do not care if you film etc. Just follow some rules. Do not use external lights (not to hard) I never use external lights at all. No external viewfinders (new cameras) Those things can be very distracting to guests around you so be nice. That includes when filming parades.
Usually I try to get to the back of any theater show etc for filming. I usually try and get in the middle (dead middle seat) if possible. That way I usually dont have to many people around me that would be bothered by me filming. as far as rides like pooh or peterpan go well no big deal there film away just dont use the external lights etc.
To date I have succesfully filmed
COP
TimeKeeper(need to reshoot)
Alien Encounter(need to reshoot the pre show with skippy)
Hall of Presidents
The American Adventure
The Legend of The Lion King
I've filed lots of attractions, so besides the obvious, here are a few tips:
1. On dark rides, you might consider using the night shot functionality of your camera, if it has it. Generally the range is very limited but it's fun to see what you might not have seen otherwise. I typically record dark rides in both night-shot and regular.
2. Make sure to adjust the exosure to allow the camera to 'see' better on darker rides. Newer camers do a pretty good job with auto exposure.
3. If you are filming a dark ride or night show, I highly suggest turning off autofocus. Nothing bugs me more than forgetting to turn it off and then the screen going blurry. Most rides are short distance filming, so turning it off then setting the focus to infinity will give you perfect video.
4. For shows, of course find a good seat in the middle near the back. Consider a monopod or tripod if you want really still video. My Sony has the best still shot I've ever seen, and this is a godsend for filming lonf shows with a tired hand. Get back far enough to view the whole stage when not zoomed, or as far back as possible.
5. Again for shows, try to vary the shot. Pan around (see next tip) and use the zoom to get the viewer closer to the action. Don't linger too long at a certain zoon. It's extra work but it tends to make the video more interesting. Seeing the show a few times before you tape it is good too so you can learn where the action is, but wing it if you have to. Missing some action isn't the end of the world
6. Try not to pan quickly or zoom too fast. You might look kooky slowly turning your camera, but trust me, you'll get much better looking video. Some zooms are touchy, like mine, so fast zooms are inevitable, but give it your best shot.
7. If you want to film a 3D show, you'll need to hold the glasses in front of the camera lense (did you remember to turn off autofocus?) If you really want a good shot, consider 'borrowing with no intent on returning' a pair of 3D glasses, then cut out an 'eye' and tape it to your camera around the lense (don't get tape on the lense itself, though. All of the 3D shows specifically say don't film, so...
8. To film shows that ask you not to, you have two options: first, just play all out dumb. If they say something, then turn off the camera. You might try sob stories (oh, this is my son's favorrite show, though! Please????). Second, try to be discreet. This tends to leave youwith less than high quality video, as we get to see the lable on the inside of your coat, but hey, it's fun
I've been caught once, in Cranium Command. They told me to shut it down and watched me the rest of the show. Personally, I'm not sure why (besides the whole intellectual properaty getting into other hands, and danger to the cast, yadda yadda Disney babble). A few rides where they told me not to film but I used the disreet method: Ellen's Energy Adventure, MuppetVision 3D, Timekeeper.
No filming on Star Tours, but film all you want on Body Wars. Request a no-motion version of the ride if you want tfilm it (you can do this on Star Tours, but you still can't leagally film).
Don't expect too much from film of Big Thunder or Test Track. Be careful with Splash Mountain
1. On dark rides, you might consider using the night shot functionality of your camera, if it has it. Generally the range is very limited but it's fun to see what you might not have seen otherwise. I typically record dark rides in both night-shot and regular.
2. Make sure to adjust the exosure to allow the camera to 'see' better on darker rides. Newer camers do a pretty good job with auto exposure.
3. If you are filming a dark ride or night show, I highly suggest turning off autofocus. Nothing bugs me more than forgetting to turn it off and then the screen going blurry. Most rides are short distance filming, so turning it off then setting the focus to infinity will give you perfect video.
4. For shows, of course find a good seat in the middle near the back. Consider a monopod or tripod if you want really still video. My Sony has the best still shot I've ever seen, and this is a godsend for filming lonf shows with a tired hand. Get back far enough to view the whole stage when not zoomed, or as far back as possible.
5. Again for shows, try to vary the shot. Pan around (see next tip) and use the zoom to get the viewer closer to the action. Don't linger too long at a certain zoon. It's extra work but it tends to make the video more interesting. Seeing the show a few times before you tape it is good too so you can learn where the action is, but wing it if you have to. Missing some action isn't the end of the world
6. Try not to pan quickly or zoom too fast. You might look kooky slowly turning your camera, but trust me, you'll get much better looking video. Some zooms are touchy, like mine, so fast zooms are inevitable, but give it your best shot.
7. If you want to film a 3D show, you'll need to hold the glasses in front of the camera lense (did you remember to turn off autofocus?
) If you really want a good shot, consider 'borrowing with no intent on returning' a pair of 3D glasses, then cut out an 'eye' and tape it to your camera around the lense (don't get tape on the lense itself, though. All of the 3D shows specifically say don't film, so...8. To film shows that ask you not to, you have two options: first, just play all out dumb. If they say something, then turn off the camera. You might try sob stories (oh, this is my son's favorrite show, though! Please????). Second, try to be discreet. This tends to leave youwith less than high quality video, as we get to see the lable on the inside of your coat, but hey, it's fun
I've been caught once, in Cranium Command. They told me to shut it down and watched me the rest of the show. Personally, I'm not sure why (besides the whole intellectual properaty getting into other hands, and danger to the cast, yadda yadda Disney babble). A few rides where they told me not to film but I used the disreet method: Ellen's Energy Adventure, MuppetVision 3D, Timekeeper.
No filming on Star Tours, but film all you want on Body Wars. Request a no-motion version of the ride if you want tfilm it (you can do this on Star Tours, but you still can't leagally film).
Don't expect too much from film of Big Thunder or Test Track. Be careful with Splash Mountain
orlpassholder
New Member
The 3d glasses will make the film watchable on a normal tv. BUT it will not be filmed in the 3d format. As far as the line running down in the film or the "flicker" style it makes that can be fixed by slowing your shutter down. Only problem is if you slow the shutter down to much any fast passed movements etc will become blured. My minidv camera has a slow shutter speed that if I turn it to shutterspeed1 it takes all the flicker out of projected movies, and also the same for TV
orlpassholder
New Member
shimer has allot of good points Though I have never heard of a non motion version of body wars?? Thats new to me - shimer if you can tell me more please do.
As far as Star Tours go I had filmed that about 4 times never been busted etc. Though my ultimate is to film middle seat back of the ride so I can get the whole screen, rex, and the little tv monitor.
As far as new camera's go I can speak only for Sony. You can actually turn off the record light on the camera.
As far as Star Tours go I had filmed that about 4 times never been busted etc. Though my ultimate is to film middle seat back of the ride so I can get the whole screen, rex, and the little tv monitor.
As far as new camera's go I can speak only for Sony. You can actually turn off the record light on the camera.