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Media Relations: A Few Suggestions on How to Win Friends, Influence People, and Avoid Your Camera Being Used as a Football.

During my time as a videographer/photographer for the BRC Department of Public Works in 2000 and 2001 (I have since moved onto other duties,) I was approached by more than one photographer/video/film person who was clearly having a bad time, whether due to equipment or attitude failure. In fact, I am still approached for advice from time to time, which is why I decided to take the time to add this link. While I can't offer you much help on how to protect your equipment from the desert itself (except to suggest a thorough cleaning after you leave) I have found a few techniques to help keep it (and possibly your pride) from being the victim of the human equivelent of an alkali-induced meltdown.
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1. GET YOUR CAMERA TAG FROM MEDIA MECCA
But first, go to the Burning Man website and click on the 'Press Here' link. Fill out the questionairre. Someone at MM should send you an email confirming your request, or else they'll contact you and ask more questions about your project, especially if it seems interesting (good) or exploitive (bad.) After you've been approved, and you get to the playa, go to Media Mecca at Center Camp and pick up your camera tag. This will save you a lot of grief in the long run, as most burners will be more willing to speak with you if you can be identified.
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2. LEAVE YOUR ATTITUDE AND EXPECTATIONS AT THE DOOR
There may be a few interested media/film types out there who are curious about your equipment, where you got your degree, and which media outlet you're working for, but for the most part, people go to Burning Man to leave behind from the media-saturated way of life in the so-called "default world."
With this in mind, make sure that, if you would like to approach someone who is building a sculpture, wearing a nifty costume or driving around in a really cool art car, you don't start your conversation by pointing a camera in their face. It can be scary to be approached in such a sensitive place by a stranger who's waving a camera around, so use caution. Put your camera in your camera bag, or down by your side. Walk up, express an interest in what the participant is doing, wearing, etc., and explain yourself. After all, you're the one who's asking the favor.
Better yet, if you've got the time, leave the camera at your camp for a day. Go out and explore the city, and find your subjects through personal interaction. Introduce yourself, explain your project and offer to return later with your camera. When I first began working with the DPW in July of 2000, I went for almost an entire week without using my camera (except for videotaping morning meetings and ambience.) It wasn't until later, when I felt comfortable and people got to know me better, that I drug my camera out of its hidey-hole in my car and started my video journey. The crew members were greatful to me for taking my time, and I was much happier with the quality of interview and interaction between myself and my new friends.
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3. DO SOME RESEARCH AHEAD OF TIME
Aside from my introduction to the DPW, which provided great insight into my shooting and interviewing style, one of the best things that happened to me during the making of "Working" was meeting Brien Burroughs from the Lamplighters. When I requested to tape their evening ceremony, he made a rather explicit request: that instead of showing them as "just another part of the scenery at Burning Man" that I work alongside the members of the community, interview them, and understand the history behind their involvement with the event. My meeting and my video shoot ended up being more thorough and interesting than I ever could have imagined, and afterwards I used my meeting with Brien as a model to set up most of my interview sessions with other BM groups. Thanks to his insistence that I dig a little deeper, I was able to get better interviews and much better footage.
If you don't have time to do so much of this (working with a particular group for a 1/2 day or more) while on the playa during the event, then take the time to read the website and survival guide ahead of time, and attempt to make contact with some of the participants you wish to speak with before you arrive. Some may not be interested, but plenty more will be flattered by the sincerity of your effort.
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4. ASK PERMISSION WHENEVER YOU CAN
So, the ticket to the event states that a participant's image may be captured without permission, and even though it is impossible in some situations to ask (such as when shooting a large crowd scene) it is always best to ask permission whenever possible. While the statement on the ticket does help the organizers protect themselves from some forms of legal action (and possibly you, too,) it might not help you when confronted, in the moment, by a pissed off anarchist circus clown with nothing to lose but his energy as he grabs your rig and uses it to pound in the last few stakes on his tent. And barring that extreme, a good tounge lashing from your neighbors can be just as humiliating. Black Rock City is a small town environment, and the bad word will soon spread that you are not the kind of person that the community wishes to be associated with, especially if you're demanding, self-important or think you have a right to stick your lens wherever you wish.
So, my advice here is that if you see someone doing something cool, walk up and ask their permission to photograph/video them. Read Suggestion #2 again as well. If they decline your offer, then politely move on to something/someone else. It's not the end of the world. Don't take it personally!
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5. DON'T GET DISCOURAGED!
So, you've done your research, you've asked permission, and you've been smiling so much that your face is about to crack, but your potential subject is still not interested in helping you out. While this can be somewhat daunting, don't let it get you down. The potential interviewee might be a camera-hater, but they also might just be a little camera shy or simply not in the mood to talk at the time. If you encounter a participant who seems slightly put upon or annoyed, then back off. Ask if you've approached at a bad time, and offer to come back later. If you've got the time, offer to help them out with whatever it is that they need. Sometimes it might be help with their camp, or other times it may be as simple as a request for a 6 pack of beer. If you make an effort to interact with the participant you're interested in filming, this demonstrates a commitment to your subject matter. Not only that, you may end up making cool new friends as well. If this still doesn't work, and they don't want you around as a member of the "media," then move on. There's plenty to do and see on the playa that just because one group or person isn't interested doesn't mean that you won't find someone else who is. There's lots of wonderful things out at Burning Man. The only real limit is the time you wish to put into your adventure.
You may find that after all is said and done, and your film or media segment comes out, that some of those that did not wish to initially be a part of your project will approach you, wondering why they're not "in there somewhere." After you cram the grin on your face back down your throat, calmly explain your moral judgement. This is the sort of thing that might happen to you if you're cool, your project is interesting and you're not full of shit. Good luck.
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6. PARTICIPATE!!!
With Suggestion #5 in mind, I must remind you of the importance of participation at Burning Man. There is no better way to get in on the action of the event and community than to become a part of its explosion out onto the playa. And what if you don't have time to be a part of an extended art project or long stays in the desert? Don't worry. There's plenty of things you can still do in order to become a part of the organism known as Burning Man. Volunteer your crew to work with the Greeters or the Lamplighters for a shift. Go on a scout of the trash fence with the DPW (there's sometimes some really neat stuff to be found out there) or offer to help out an art project for a few hours.
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7. STAY OUT OF THE WAY OF DANGER
So, you've got the permission, people seem to like you and you're on your way to shooting your movie or photos. Keep in mind that some of the people you are photographing or filming may be hard at work on their projects and therefore require a little bit of distance on your part. The participant will need to concentrate on whatever it is that they're doing, whether operating heavy machinery, building a theme camp or using power tools, and sometimes having a photographer put their rig six inches from an operator's hands can be a risky (and rude) thing to do. However, if it's a shot that you just can't resist (and your zoom lens can't help you) then try to either plan your shot ahead of time and ask if it's okay, or wait until the operator has stopped for a moment and then ask how close you can get.
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AND SO ON AND SO ON
I've never really considered myself to be a member of the "media." I consider myself to be a storyteller first and foremost. Any other assignation is merely a title and a tag that I do not consider to be entirely suitable as far as describing my job.
However, many of the same rules apply for filmmakers, media outlets and photographers if you want to stay alive in the business, and this counts not just at Burning Man but in the world in general. While you may be under pressure to "get your story," please keep in mind that Burning Man is a unique community with its own rules of engagement. As a good photographer, journalist or film/video maker, you must be aware of your surroundings and tailor your experience to the environment that you are engaged with, rather than expect the community members to follow a rigid set of "rules" that you've learned either through your outlet or at your alma mater.
This is all I can think of so far...if you've got any information, stories or would like to discuss the nuances of filming or taking photos at Burning Man, I can be contacted on my 'Contact Information' page on this website. I know that some of this may seem really rudimentary or as though I'm preaching a bit, but the smarter among our ranks may be surprised (heh...or maybe not) at the bizarre and inappropriate things I've seen and heard over the years. Stop by DPW or the Cafe sometime after I get off work and we'll have a beer and a good laugh.