Swifty Almost Got ARRESTED While Filming!
Shooting for my untitled Malay-language 1960s-style old school
sci-fi project has begun. Justin and I, along with our main actor
Johan, made our way to Perth city to film a simple scene which
involves Johan's character waiting for a train at the train
station, and then standing alone by himself while being in the
train.
It was, of course, filmed at the central train station, which, in
my opinion, is one of the most beautiful places in the city.
Unfortunately, while filming, we were interrupted by a middle-aged
security guard.
"Hey you! What is this for?" He asked.
"It's just a university assignment." I lied smoothly. Despite my
voice being reduced to nothing more than a croak, my blinding
charisma remained.
"Do you have permission?" He narrowed his eyes.
"Oh no!" I feigned a look of innocence and shock. "Do we need one?
Can we get it now?"
Man grunted and pointed at a direction. We nodded and started
walking away... before we were intercepted by two more security
guards, one tough-looking woman and one tall imposing man.
"Why were you filming here?" The man asked.
"It's a university assignment." I repeated.
"Which university?"
"Murdoch." I said, silently worried that they would immediately
call my university and find out that I am neither a film student,
nor a media student, and that I was just being an idealistic young
man trying to make his own indie short film and not doing it
because of academic reasons.
"ID please?" Man extended his hand. I fished out my student card
and handed it to him, he started jotting down my particulars. The
woman did the same with Johan and Justin.
"No one's allowed to film in the train station, nor take photos.
Because this could be what terrorists do, filming and taking photos
so that they can find the right place to plant their bombs." The
woman explained.
"Damn." I tried to look sympathetic. "Don't worry, it's just a
short film."
The guards nodded and returned us our student cards.
"You are allowed to film now. Make sure you do it within the limits
of this area." The man said.
Then they walked away. We sighed in relief.
I turned to Justin. "Damn, if the train station gets bombed
tomorrow, we'll be the prime suspects."
When the train came, I hid my tripod, holding my camera by hand
instead. Didn't want to attract too much attention. Better to let
them know that I was just some tourist or something. While filming
in the train, a notice struck me, which warned people about
terrorists. It said that one of the common activities found among
terrorists was their tendencies to often take photos, or shoot
videos of public places so that they can find the right places to
plant their bombs.
Guerilla filmmakers like me are in trouble.
http://www.swiftywriting.blogspot.com/
