Hidden Camera for Film Scene ?

I'm currently making a film, with the help of a few friends. There's a short scene we need to film on a train. I have permission from the train company for this, and it is a relatively simple one. There will be one two actors on the train. Just as the train pulls into a station, one actor stands up to leave the train. As she does this, the other actor recognises her as an old friend, and follows her off the train.

I'm thinking of how to best do this shot. It will be just a normal train, and it's likely to have other p@ssengers on it. From previous experience of filming in public, I know that at times, people tend to notice and stare at the camera, which can spoil the shot.

I've mentioned this concern to a few people and a couple of them suggested disguising the camera so that no-one notices it. But when I asked how I could do this, the ideas ran out. I guess I could try it this way, so I'm hoping that someone here can make suggestions on how I could actually do it. The camera I'd use would be a JVC mini dv (GR-DX57). Old and dated looking I know, but it does the job. Here are some pictures of it just so you can see what size it is (photographed next to a bunch of keys and a watch for perspective)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/12quidkidinnit/New Album/Picture003.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/12quidkidinnit/New Album/Picture002.jpg

Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions would be gratefully received on this one.

 

OOOH a filmy question!

What about a breifcase? Or some other kind of bag. That way you might even be able to line the shot up nicely.

 

Definitely a briefcase, or some other hard-sided case. You could even build one if you didn't want to wreck one you already have by cutting out room for the lens.

 

Oh and it should be noted that if you plan to release the film at all, you'll need to get release forms signed from anyone who you catch their face full on.

Unfortunate but better than getting sued.

 

Unless you are Borat!

 

Even borat has release forms

 

Surely you have enough friends and relatives to fill one end of a train carriage? Just tell them they'll get a mention if you win at Cannes............

 

Did it !

Thanks for all your replies.

It worked out well in the end. The trains were nearly empty (Sunday afternoon) so we had one end of a carriage to ourselves, and didn't need to try and hide the camera. Nobody who did see it took any notice anyway, which is a bonus. Someone else I know tried to film someone walking along a road and getting into a taxi. It was the middle of summer, so there were people everywhere. But there was one bloke who stared right at the camera when he went past. At least that didn't happen today.

 

Last night I was doing some arty photography filming stuff.. not unlike this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsYzd4d1PhY

And as you might imagine it took a while. I was taking a picture of someone walking down the road with long exposures, and someone walked past and said "What's he doing? He's taking pictures of is A*** BOY!!"

 

That video clip looks interesting. Is there any more ? I recognise the music.

We filmed one of the actors walking along a pier, and someone stopped their car to ask if he wanted a lift.

 

Right now no more. I did a bunch of them a while ago and lost them due to a memory stick failiure

The music is actually Dido ... I only used 10 seconds of the intro so I think i'll get away with it