Risk Assessment

A risk assessment is a 'systematic process of evaluating the potential risks that may be involved in a projected activity or undertaking' so more simply it is a list of potential hazards for a task so it can help you prevent/lessen these hazards.

It will be important to complete one because it allows me to see exactly what requires caution. Also, it is often difficult to recollect all of the possible hazards that could occur so having them written down in one place helps broaden your knowledge and make you aware of what could happen, yet also how such a simple hazard could cause such a vast consequence, such as simply not charging a camera battery. 

My risk assessment isn’t specific to my own music video yet I would hope covers the risks of any type of filming, as I have devised quite an extensive list. However in the stages of planning my music video, I could write up an updated risk assessment in which is more specific to my music video, such as having a section reminding me what props I need for which scenes; this would prevent any stress because I know exactly what to do. 

If I were to improve my risk assessment I would section it by how extreme the hazard is, for example, the ‘hazard’, ‘forgetting to charge camera battery’ probably won’t become an issue because I normally remember. 

Locations

Risk Assessment

Hazard	Who could be harmed? What else could happen?	What could be damaged?	How to avoid the hazard/Safety measures already in place/What you need to consider beforehand	Is the risk: LOW, MODERATE, HIGH OR EXTREME? (measured using table below)	Further action required to control risk
Camera equipment falling/breaking	Actors/Cameramen /Director	Equipment	Falling – Camera has strap worn around neck always. Most likely circumstance of camera braking would be dropping it, as it has a 3-year guarantee	HIGH	I may need to have back up equipment because there most probably wouldn’t be enough time to go and have equipment repaired
Actors involved in dangerous actions, e.g. jumping from a height	Actors	Actors	I must consider certain actions and decide whether they are too dangerous and come up with alternatives. If there are no alternatives there must be others there for support. Also, it would be helpful to get it in one shot so the action doesn’t have to be repeated	EXTREME	If an action deems to dangerous a solution must be found, such as filming a different type of shot. Also, dangerous actions shouldn’t be taken anyway and won’t if you have, in advance, researched and visited locations
Cameramen filming from a dangerous position, e.g. on a rock	Cameramen	Cameramen	Appropriate footwear is worn with grip. Also, there are people around to help if they fall. The cameraman knows beforehand this action would be involved because it was part of the terms and conditions	EXTREME	Likewise to the above, cameramen should be safe at all times whilst filming. The shot may have to be rethought however this shouldn’t be a problem because the action should be deemed safe or not before going out and filming
Lawful access to properties/places – am I allowed to film there?	N/A	N/A	Locations/buildings/companies are contacted weeks/months before hand to make agreements so we can film there at a specific time.  Required to check whether there are any laws, for example, filming in London is acceptable	MODERATE	You may have to result in filming in a different location. However, this can be avoided by making sure you can film there at a specific time, by asking an authoritative figure
Filming in low lighting	N/A	It could be hard to see in the dark so you could easily break things	Torches would already be in place as well as other equipment so no one is injured.  Actors are at the risk of their own actions so it’s generally their responsibility to make sure they are safe	MODERATE	Preferably it would be better to film with sufficient lighting however if it is essential you need to make sure you have a lot of lighting in place to guide your way
Filming over water	Actors/Cameramen	Equipment	Secure tripods and camera straps are in place so that different angles can be achieved without any equipment falling and breaking. There is a risk with tripods that the camera can fall off so it must be tightly screwed on	MODERATE	You can avoid this problem of making sure your equipment is sturdy and secure before you go out and film because you need to make sure nothing can fall
Trip hazards	Actors/Cameramen /Director	Equipment	There may be wires used in the industry yet personally I wouldn’t use any. Actors/cameramen/directors however still must be careful of their own safety with tripping over anything. A first aid box can be taken as part of the equipment in case of any minor injuries	HIGH	Pre-visit a location to run several safety checks; including making sure the ground is even. For example, a bumpy road is very dangerous. If you need this location however, extra equipment such as a platform could be taken
Public interference, e.g. unwanted members of the public walking into shot	Actors/Cameramen /Director/Public	Video content	In busy places, public interference will be inevitable, however, passers-by may work well in shots. If you want no public interference so nobody comes into shot it is worth calling a place and pay to have, for example, an hour’s session alone. For example, I once emailed the ‘Hell Fire Caves’ and they allowed me personal access	MODERATE	Pre-visit the location to gain an understanding of how busy it gets. If, on the day, it is busier than expected you will simply have to try and find breaks in the crowd or come back later in the day
SD card running out of storage/camera battery running out	Actors/Cameramen /Director	Video content	SD card would be emptied before filming, as well as extra cards taken in case one runs out of space.  Also, extra batteries would be taken as well as a charger to charge it at available plug points	MODERATE	If you run out of space, meaning you cannot film anymore, visit a nearby shop as soon as you can to buy extra storage. Alternatively, pause filming and resume on a different day, yet this could cause continuity issues
Absent actors due to illness	Actors/Cameramen /Director	Video content	Reserve actors should be on hand. Alternatively, if it is not vital, the date could be changed	MODERATE	Reserve actors should be a phone call away and ready to begin quickly
Dangerous outside conditions, e.g. a storm	Actors/Cameramen /Director/Public	Equipment	Before filming, the weather forecast will determine going ahead with filming or not. If when filming the weather conditions deteriorate, umbrellas can be used or another day can be organised if it gets too bad.  Equipment should not get wet and this is more important than actors/ cameramen/ directors getting wet	MODERATE	The weather forecast is not always the most trustworthy source, so check as many as possible.  If it is predicted storms, it is worth not risking it and organising another day to film.  Also, if during filming the weather gets too bad, consider pausing it
Risk of continuity – making sure the video flows. If you film two parts of the same scene on separate days, make sure the lighting/costume is the same	Actors	Video content	This is not a major hazard however can be very frustrating when looking back on footage to realise mistakes and continuity errors. To avoid them, you must be well organised, perhaps by making a storyboard to see clearly what clothes an actor needs in each shot etc.  However, it is probable that minor mistakes will be made in which case you should consider filming them again	MODERATE	It is important to be very organised and planned as this will be so helpful in telling you what you need and when. Because you may not be filming the video in chronological order of which shot/scene is first, a plan will help you film it in any order
Busy crowds, allowing you less space to film	Actors/Cameramen /Director	Equipment	If you are filming in a typically busy area, you should be prepared, in terms of making sure everyone copes with claustrophobia and making sure that the public may act differently when there is a camera. For example, people may look confused at the camera or come up and ask for the shot to be deleted because they are in it	MODERATE	You could either go yourself before filming or ask others that have been to the location as to how busy it gets. There is no way of telling however business is not a hug problem as space should always be able to be found, however you need patience
Not charging phone/laptop so when editing, you do not lose all work	Actors/Cameramen /Director	Video content	This will not cause any physical risk yet you could end up losing all your work in which you would re-film. Therefore, it is vital that you make sure you have charged equipment/enough storage always	HIGH	Make sure everything is charged – this is a small issue yet can be hard to remember and all your work could be lost.  Also, back up footage on another device in case you lose it
Unsuitable/uncomfortable costumes	Actors	N/A	This could restrict the actor and alter their abilities on screen so actors need to feel comfortable. If there is something specific the actor should wear, a fitting appointment could be organised well in advance	LOW	If costumes are becoming an issue whilst filming, have a backup in your bag – an outfit that doesn’t take up much space, this could be helpful if the costume is damaged as well
Carrying around equipment (heavy) and getting equipment stolen	Actors/Cameramen /Director	Video content /equipment	This depends how much equipment you are taking – if there is a lot you may want to have someone with you who can carry extra. Be extra careful with making sure you have all of it at all times, making sure it hasn’t been stolen. Also, don’t take more equipment than is necessary as it will be a waste of space. If you have a small, foldable tripod, consider taking it instead on a larger one	HIGH	Make sure your equipment will not become an inconvenience to you. For example, if visiting London, you do not want to carry huge cases up and down steps. Perhaps stay overnight in London so you can drop equipment off and collect it when you need specific things
Health of actors (have they consumed alcohol?)	Actors	Video content	You need to make sure beforehand that the risk of an actor or anyone with you becoming ill is low, such as asking whether they suffer from anxiety or if they require a wheelchair. If an actor gets ill often, they could be ill on the days you wish to film	HIGH	Always have a phone on you in case of emergency, including if anyone has a major injury.  Re-organise the filming for when the actor is better or ask a reserve actor to step in
Making too much  noise, e.g. being too loud in a quiet residential area could result in you being banned	Actors/Cameramen /Director	Location access	If you are filming scenes that you know will be noisy, make sure that you have people’s permission in the surrounding area before you go to film there otherwise you could anger others	MODERATE	Remind actors to be aware of surroundings. Some things being filmed could be inappropriate for younger viewers walking past, such as using guns in a scene
Copyright issues, e.g. the music being used, and uploading onto YouTube	Whole video	Video content	My project will not be used for commercial use so I can take songs legally off apps such as iTunes to use. However, when posted on YouTube you could be given a copyright warning. There are other websites that are less strict with this such as Vimeo	MODERATE	You can try and find a different song that would work just as well – there are thousands more to choose from, so this shouldn’t be a major problem.
Losing track of time – a schedule may be made to make sure all of what needs to be filmed is actually filmed in order to meet deadlines	Actors/Cameramen /Director	Video content/ equipment	A schedule should already be in place yet this can be edited to move around days and scenes easily due to actor’s illness or weather conditions. They will be very helpful along with a storyboard as you can see everything needing doing all in one place to keep you organised	MODERATE	Do not panic if things are not working or you are losing track of time. Panicking will only make things less clear so take a break and organise things so you get everything achieved.
Lifting hazards, e.g. lifting heavy equipment	Actors/Cameramen /Director	Equipment	Try and limit how much equipment you are taking depending on the place and how busy it gets. Try and limit how heavy your equipment is unless you are filming in a warehouse for a prolonged amount of time. Be careful when handling equipment – you need to be strong enough so you do not drop it	HIGH	Make sure your equipment will not become an inconvenience to you. For example, if visiting London, you do not want to carry huge cases up and down steps. Perhaps stay overnight in London so you can drop equipment off and collect it when you need specific things
No food and drink available to keep everyone energised so, for example, actors perform well	Actors/Cameramen /Director	N/A	Actors may bring/buy their own food as usually it is there responsibility to make sure there standard of acting and their energy is as high as usual	LOW	Have food and plenty of water just in case people run out of it or need it desperately. Water is so important especially in hot conditions
Appropriate pay for actors, e.g. paying them to act in your video. This does not apply to my project yet would in the industry	Actors	N/A	Although this does not apply to my project, in the industry this is very important as for an actor, this is their job and they need to sustain a stable wage to live on	MODERATE	Make sure they are clear with whether you are paying them or not and how much. Otherwise mixed signals can make an actor frustrated as they were working under false pretences