Self Op Shooting
Safety Planning and Risk Assessment

Self Op Shooting

Safety Planning and Risk Assessment

The Self Op team

Working Hours and Scheduling

Personal Security

Electricity and Lighting

Sound Operation

Self Op Editing and Logging

Emotional Issues and Stress

Training

Common Questions

Key Points

On any programme the Producer is responsible for safety. This responsibility covers all staff, contributors, contractors or others who may be affected by the production activity. The Producer can delegate duties to others, e.g. AP, Director, but responsibilities cannot be delegated. The producer is responsible for ensuring that the person to whom he/she delegates a duty has sufficient experience, knowledge and status to perform it safely.

For every shoot a programme risk assessment should be completed and signed by the producer (a number of shoots can be listed on one form). A Self-Op Filming Checklist can also be used which will highlight specific issues.

Selection of the self operator is of primary importance during the planning stages of any production. Staff must be selected whose levels of training, skill and experience match the ambitions and likely complexity of the production, and kit that the team is trained on and familiar with.

The size of the team must be appropriate to the activity, not the budget. Responsibilities must be clearly allocated on location.