Contingency Plan

Although I have written a risk assessment for filming, I have decided to create a 'Contingency Plan' because this will suggest to me exactly what to do in the case of an emergency. Also, it will make me feel hopeful, as if things go wrong I may not stress as much because I know there could be other chances. In situations I can get stressed quite easily so having a 'safety-net' to fall back on will really help calm me as well as letting me focus on what I need to get done without worrying. If I worry, I could be in the wrong state of mind and this could be reflected in both the quality of the shots as well as how much footage I manage to film.

A contingency plan is a course of action to guide an organisation to respond effectively to an issue. My plan will be in the form of a table which I can easily carry around in my bag. With there being so many different shots, it may be difficult to remember what exactly can be done to resolve the problem, so having the list with me will be reassuring in the heat of the moment.

I have created my contingency plan in the form of a flow chart as this allowed me to have a 'short term' solution as well as an 'IF NOT' section which is in place if the first solution was not possible. I like this form of plan because it is much more creative and has allowed me to more visually display what needs to be done in the case of an emergency. Therefore I can take this with me when filming so I can seek a solution immediately.
   However there are elements to this style of contingency plan that I do not like such as how there wasn't enough space for more hazards. Therefore, I chose the most likely hazards, for example, the weather on the 7th is supposed to be very warm so I have deemed this a likely hazard.

As well as this, I have deemed 'crowds', 'filming permission', 'belongings being stolen', 'transport delays' and 'losing track of time' as a most likely hazard.
   This flow chart style however has allowed me to include a contigency plan in terms of editing, such as 'losing footage' and 'copy-right issues' which is a bonus.

I then decided that there were more hazards that could happen whilst filming so I made a short list of less-likely hazards. This is because I shouldn't ignore 'unlikely' hazards or else in the event of one occurring, I may not know what exactly to do and this would add a lot more unnecessary stress.

Other hazards and what to do if something goes wrong:

1) Photography studio - Tripping over

Solution - Depending on the impact of the trip, the actor may be willing to carry on with filming however a new date of filming would have to be arranged if the injury is more serious such as breaking a leg. In terms of equipment, tripping over it may result in it being broken, however a solution to this would be that in the photography studio we have a lot of spare equipment however I would need to pay for any damage.

2) Photography studio - Running out of time

Solution - If my slot of time in the studio is coming to an end, it would be sensible to arrange another day to use the studio, making sure that the cast members can make that day.

3) Photography studio - Equipment breaking/not working

Solution - In the event of equipment not working whilst filming in school, I would contact the school technicians as it is their job to try and fix technology that isn't working in the school. I would contact them if I cannot fix the problem myself, or ask a photography teacher. If equipment breaks there may be spares, such as lights and backdrops however this is unlikely; if my camera breaks I will have to either use another device, borrow a friends camera who has agreed to let me use hers in the case of an emergency, or arrange another day.

4) Photography studio - Fire

Solution - In the case of a fire, I would smash the glass to ring the fire bell, before using the fire escape to get to the place where the whole school lines up which is the tennis court. I would leave all belongings behind and would have to arrange another day of filming when it is most appropriate.

5) Tube - Delays

Solution - I am writing this roughly a week before Pride and it seems that there a lot of tube delays at the moment due to disruption on the lines.

UPDATE: 6th July - it is the date before filming and all of the tube lines that I will be using are 'good service'

However, if on the day if there are any delays, I have extra money to take a taxi/uber or if the destination where I want to go is only a short distance, we can walk.


6) Tube - Targeted attack

Solution - There is not much prevention for an attack from a terrorist group for example, yet Pride has issued a statement, stating that “Pride in London continues to be one of the safest events in London thanks to the incredible support and cooperation of the Metropolitan Police Service". An attack is not likely, however less impactful attacks could occur, such as anti-gay groups trying to disrupt the parade.

7) Tube - Heat

Solution - I am bringing a portable fan because the weather suggests it is going to be very hot. I will also freeze water bottles so that we can keep cool as the ice will melt during the day. However, the heat is not a big problem and can be withstood, yet technology can sometimes play-up in the heat, such as mobile phones overheating so I will be trying to keep my phone cool by placing in a secret pocket in my rucksack.

8) Tube - Crowds

Solution - The Tube is often busy in London which I am very used to and it is very important to keep your eyes on your belongings as much as possible. However, if crowds become too overwhelming, we will travel in a carriage that is the least populated, or chose to travel by taxi/uber/bus.

9) Other - Props do not arrive in time

Solution - This is not a vital part of the music video yet something that is very important to me in terms of the aesthetic of the video, so if my props do not arrive in time, I can send an email to my friends/family, asking if they have anything I could use.

UPDATE: 5th July - All props are in a pile ready to be used. Camera battery is charged. 

10) Other - Cast member is ill

Solution - If Jess Hallesy or Kitty Jones fall ill on the days, I have two understudy's - Genovesa Van Reenen and Paris Darbon. They have stated that they are available on both days however, if my understudy's also fall ill, I will rearrange dates.



Throughout this post, I have felt like I have been organised because one of my traits is being organised and I am often described as a perfectionist. I prefer to have everything planned out so that nothing will go wrong. When filming, I do not think I will have any drastic problems that will arise however I can refer to my contingency plan to reassure myself what may seem a 'big problem' at the time of filming, may not alter the look/story of my music video. For example, there are other Pride festivals I can film at, and because I am filming during the school holidays, many actors/understudy's may be free to stand in.
In the next post I will be finishing the planning process of my music video by making sure that I have permission to film where I want to as well as permission to pull some footage off YouTube.