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Shooting a fake break-in to look like security cameras.
I need some creative advice. I’m working on a project where we’d shoot a fake robbery break in at a local jewelry store. The shoot would be in the evening hours. The client wants the footage to look like it was recorded on security cameras.
I’m thinking about using mounted go pros at ceiling height. Do you think this would work? Or do you guys think something else would be better. That want this to look as raw as possible. I’d be grateful for any suggestions you can offer.
Thanks so much.
Greg
Greg Ball, President
Ball Media Innovations, Inc.
https://www.ballmediainnovations.com -
7 Replies
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Is this a daytime robbery? I’m assuming so since you said “robbery,” indicating there would be people there. If so, I think the GoPros would be fine.
We’ve done some work with companies that do security monitoring, and in this day it still dumbfounds me how bad the video quality is on even high-end security systems (and so many still B/W), so you’ll definitely want to degrade the footage… and maybe add fake supers indicating camera numbers, time of day, etc., maybe even timecode.
On the other hand, if it is not a robbery but a burglary, nighttime, no people there, then a lot of security cameras have that night vision IR look… so you might want to simulate that.
One easy and cheap way make the footage truly look like security cameras is to, well, shoot with security cameras. I wanted a better way to monitor and control all the Halloween goings-on that I stage at my house every year, so last year I hit eBay and bought a security system… which included FOUR little IR HD cameras, for EIGHTY BUCKS. And the system will record files to a USB drive. And yeah, it looks exactly like security camera footage… because it is…
Here’s the one that I bought (and it’s awesome), which now seems to be 10 bucks more…
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4CH-960H-H-264-DVR-Video-Recorder-Outdoor-Waterproof-CCTV-Security-Camera-System/252217340187Another thing, many WebCams are also IR cams for low-light shooting, which would give you that same look.
And I know… I was being a picky grammarian about robbery vs. burglary…. a holdover from my days as a TV news guy a zillion years ago…
T2
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Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com
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I’ve used a DSLR on a suction cup. I always put a pillow or something cushiony on the floor beneath it just in case it falls. I did all of Chases’s videos for years here and PIN security and not getting robbed as you leave was a biggie. You’ll notice there’s a lot of glass walls in banks, for a reason, so suction cup mounts is the way to go. Then B&W it, add a time stamp, if you have the energy add the obligatory flashing red dot signifying recording. I didn’t use the GoPro in case we needed to punch in and reposition, which we did. When your client wants grundgey, you’re better off shooting at a higher quality and junking it up in post than the other way around, but hey, I’m a shooter and you’re an editor so you already know that!
Here’s a screen grab of a typical one I did for Chase. My biker looking soundman is in the scene scaring the young woman. To make it appear realistic place your camera where the security camera would be, show the door and the ATM machine.
Good luck,
Ned
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com -
Also, you can do a quad split and add some security type data at the bottom. Here is a MSNBC TV show pilot I shot a lot of and if you ff to :43 you’ll see this:
https://www.msnbc.com/documentaries/watch/heist-terror-in-the-heartland-98734147686
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com -
“Enhance”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbCWYm7B_B4
☺Take a stepladder and/or extra-tall pole to let you optimize the camera location.
Based on similar experiences, I’d say use a better camera and add degrading thru color adjustments and fx plug-ins, FCPX I think has a canned one exactly for this kind of job, but you can make your own looks just as easily. Only you can tell us just how good the ultimate resolution needs to be.
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Thanks for your input Todd, Mark, and Ned. You guys are always the best! I love the B&W and also the split screen look.
This would be shot at night in a retail store. The objective is to show a break-in at the store and the security system launches a visual effect to stun the culprits. For client confidentiality reasons I can release the info on the visual effect. But I like all of the suggestions. Thanks so much guys!
Greg Ball, President
Ball Media Innovations, Inc.
https://www.ballmediainnovations.com -
I do believe the “visual effect to stun the culprits” has already been invented:
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com -
Ned…LOL!! That was quite something. Not “exactly” what my client’s system uses, but your video demonstrates a much more superior system by far!!
Greg Ball, President
Ball Media Innovations, Inc.
https://www.ballmediainnovations.com
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