Can I videotape in Beijing China? I’m traveling to Beijing and want to make a documentary of my visit. I have 2 HDV video cameras. One is a larger more professional camera and the other is a smaller consumer looking camera. Are there any laws about video taping in China? Can I shoot there with out permission? Should I leave the professional camera at home? Does any one have experience video taping there? Or are there other resources about what I can or can’t get away with while shooting video there.
Thanks
brentincal
2
erebus
Don't point a camera at policemen or soldiers - they don't like it. Things like they guard-changing at Tiananmen might be an exception, but you'd be wise to find out first. Other than that, you should have no problems.
3
brentincal
What if I try to make a TV show or documentary out of the footage and try to sell to an Amercian TV network?
4
ellyse
In that case I think you should be asking someone working in the legal profession, not normal travellers like us.
Cheers!
5
laker31
Besides the good point raised by ellyse, you are going to need to have a very original idea, as well as great production quality. American networks are not in the habit of airing vacation videos.
6
anonymous
#3, It's been done.
I and two colleagues were video interviewed by the PBS? network in Beijing in Wangfujing
9
james
There is a special visa for journalists. If the camera is very big it might raise questions. When you enter china itself can you hide the camera in a bag that does not look like a video camera? All the major news networks have people on contract to film stuff in Beijing. Unless you capture a demonstation or a dam break or plane crash, I would not expect to see it on American TV.
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