I went to go film for the National Scouting Report at a local high school this past Friday. Once there I was allowed in and even given permission by the princapal and superintendant to climb a 60 foot tower to film from. Once up there, one of the coaches came over and told me that I could not film from there and asked me to get down. I told him that I had permission which he promptly checked out and conversed with both references I gave him. Finally the principal came over and told me that I could not film from up there and apologized. I got down and moved to the stands on the home team's side. After setting back up, he came up and told me that I could not film period and if the NSR wanted some footage they could contact the school and get any number of game tapes they had. I explained that they did not want game tapes, but that they wanted 1 player in action and that is why I was there. He apologized again and told me that if I was a news crew or a member of the schools coaching organization they would let me film, otherwise, I had to turn it off.
After that I spotted the opposing team's coaching staff and game camera. I went over to them and asked if I could film where they were. They had no objections and I was able to film from there unhendered. I will also be going to the opposing teams field this Friday to shoot for a different player for the NSR. When I spoke to one of their staff, they said that would be no problem and they even told me where to go to get to the top of the box office where I would get a good shot.
My question is this: Can you be told that you cannot film a High School football game? The student I was filming was aware of it and in agreement. I view this as being a publically funded (tax money) place that I should be allowed to film at if a news crew can, if parents can and if team officials can. Why the discrimination?
Regardless, I got the footage and it turned out well.
j razz
After that I spotted the opposing team's coaching staff and game camera. I went over to them and asked if I could film where they were. They had no objections and I was able to film from there unhendered. I will also be going to the opposing teams field this Friday to shoot for a different player for the NSR. When I spoke to one of their staff, they said that would be no problem and they even told me where to go to get to the top of the box office where I would get a good shot.
My question is this: Can you be told that you cannot film a High School football game? The student I was filming was aware of it and in agreement. I view this as being a publically funded (tax money) place that I should be allowed to film at if a news crew can, if parents can and if team officials can. Why the discrimination?
Regardless, I got the footage and it turned out well.
j razz