Updated Risk Assessment

Although in the past I have created a Risk-Assessment for my Preliminary Task, I decided to create an updated version, bearing in mind the different locations I am using as well as other mise-en-scene elements such as props and lighting.

Instead of creating a new Risk-Assessment, I have simply condensed my previous assessment whilst adapting it to make it more relevant to my storyboard.

Location and 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?
LONDON PRIDE – Heat	Cast/Cameraman	Camera may not work properly/Shots may look strange	Check weather beforehand, however it is not threatening	LOW
LONDON PRIDE – Pickpocket	Cast/Cameraman	Money/equipment could be stolen meaning we cannot continue filming	Zip everything away and keep belongings in sight	HIGH
LONDON PRIDE – Claustrophobic crowds	Cast/Cameraman	Equipment being tossed around	Research the less crowded spots, however is not threatening	HIGH
LONDON PRIDE – Targeted attacks	Cast/Cameraman	Equipment	Research likelihood, undergo safety measures	HIGH
LONDON PRIDE – Drugs and Alcohol	Cast/Cameraman	Extras in shots could be in the background demonstrating inappropriate behaviour	Check no one in the group has been under the influence of drugs/alcohol. Be wary of others	MODERATE
LONDON PRIDE – Dangerous objects	Cast/Cameraman	Such as flags/signs. Equipment could get broken	Not threatening	MODERATE
LONDON PRIDE – Inappropriate	Cast/Cameraman	Inappropriate actions from crowds, footage would be deemed inappropriate	Delete inappropriate footage and use other footage	LOW
LONDON PRIDE – Road closures	Cast/Cameraman	The footage would be ‘damaged’ – look at contingency plan	Research before hand	MODERATE
PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO – Electricity	Cast/Cameraman	Equipment could break/bulbs could blow	Use the correct voltages and make sure you do not use too many appliances	MODERATE
PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO – Trip Hazard	Cast/Cameraman	Equipment could be broken as well as actors/cameraman falling over and getting an injury	Be very cautious of surroundings and do not lets wires run loose	HIGH
PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO – Booking	Cast/Cameraman	Timing will be tighter – book in advance so you are guaranteed a place	Book well in advance	LOW
PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO – Timing	Cast/Cameraman	Timing will be tight if it is not made sure that we can use the studio for as long as we can	Book well in advance	LOW
PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO – Fire Hazard	Cast/Cameraman	Equipment/people could have serious injuries/damage	Make sure there are no risks so keep appliances away from each other	HIGH
PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO – Lights	Cast/Cameraman	Cameraman/actors can be hurt in the eyes by the bright lights	Keep number of appliances down and console actors	LOW
TUBE – Strikes	Cast/Cameraman	See contingency plan	Research beforehand	MODERATE
TUBE – Crowds	Cast/Cameraman	Equipment/actors/cameraman; getting stolen/squashed/claustrophobia	Research beforehand	HIGH
TUBE – Delays	Cast/Cameraman	See contingency plan	Research beforehand	MODERATE
TUBE – People on tracks	Cast/Cameraman	See contingency plan	Resume filming somewhere else or at another time	MODERATE
TUBE -  Targeted attacks	Cast/Cameraman	See contingency plan	Research likelihood, undergo safety measures	HIGH

Creating this new, updated Risk Assessment has really helped me see more realistic risks concerned with the specific locations I am filming at. For example, I have listed each risk, relative to a certain location, so if I were to film on the tube, I can refer back and see the exact risks I should be aware of. This is rather than looking at risks which are very unlikely to happen in a location, such as noise in a very quiet place.

Peer Assessment

I asked 15 other media students in my class to take a look at my updated risk assessment so I could gather some feedback. I asked three questions - firstly, 'Do you think I have covered every possible risk'. I also asked, 'Are my prevention/aftermath methods of a hazard sufficient enough?' and 'Can you think of any other risks that could occur?'

Here is the response I received:

13 people out of 15 responded with 'yes' in answer to my question, in an anonymous questionnaire. This means that I have thought about most of the situations that could occur whilst filming, making it more likely that I will experience any problems. However, I aim not to be too paranoid whilst I am shooting the video because this could lead to stress, resulting in not getting the footage to the highest of quality or having a shortage of footage.

Less people, however, stated that my risk prevention/aftermath methods were sufficient enough, with 3 out of the 15 stating that they were not. This suggests that I am not as prepared in terms of, if something does go wrong, making sure that the issue is resolved. I think this is partly because anything could happen whilst filming so I decided to focus on the most likely occurrences. However, if a unique circumstance were to arise I would ask my co-workers around me as well as make phone calls.

Finally I asked, 'Can you think of any other risks that could occur?'. I got a few suggestions, however some did not write an answer on the form presumably because they thought I had covered most possible scenario's. One comment I did receive however was:

'You have not mentioned the risk of either of your actors being ill on the day of filming'

This is correct so I wanted to answer this question for the person asking as well as myself. Because Pride only occurs for one day a year in Brighton, I have two back-up actors (Paris Darbon and Genoves van Reenen).


Creating a second risk assessment much further down the line was useful because when I was carying out my previous risk assessment, I found that I was then unsure of what I would be filming and the concept of my video so I couldn't base my risks around these factors. Now that I have done more planning and have a more thorough idea in my head of the music video, I can pinpoint the risks much more easily and the risks are more specific to different locations, times and other variables.