Uk Press Pass

ic0n · 2 May 2008 at 14:09

hi guys

as i am getting in to photography and at uni i will get a student press pass with my course next year.

but i was looking dose any one know how i can apply for a full one?

rpstewart · 2 May 2008 at 14:19

There's no such thing as a "press pass", each event/organisation will issue accreditations on an individual basis to journalists and photographers according to that event/organisation's policies. You may get something from your course identifying you as being affiliated to the course but don't expect it to open many doors.

Gaffer · 2 May 2008 at 14:56

rpstewart said:
There's no such thing as a "press pass"

Fair enough.

But can we help him anyway?

I'm thinking:

Photographers waistcoat. Beige. Dirty. Bulging pockets.

A couple of old press passes from other events clipped on the brest pocket.

A couple of cameras with battery grips slung nonchalantly over the shoulder. One should have a white lens. The other should have an off-camera flash on a bar out to the side and a curly lead to a belt-mounted battery pack.

A notepad and pen.

A dictaphone and a cellphone.

Everything should be scruffy, well worn and held together with gaffer tape.

With tht sort of rig, he should pass for press almost anywhere.

:-)

Andrew

SDK^ · 2 May 2008 at 14:57

ic0n said:
I will get a student press pass with my course next year.

What benefits does this give you?

robertgilbert86 · 2 May 2008 at 15:12

Just the concept of an all-inclusive 'press pass' makes me weak at the knees.

Messiah Khan · 2 May 2008 at 15:50

The best form of 'press pass' is a bit of confidence, a personality and the balls to try things (Ie when it says no entry, it doesn't REALLY mean no entry, it means you probably shouldn't go that way but if you do you might get a bit told off.)

In other words, try and get in places by being upfront and friendly, get your name known and if all else fails then blag your way into places.

V-Spec · 2 May 2008 at 16:05

Gaffer said:
<snip>

lol, big white lenses tend to come with their own pass

Having several friends who are pros and shoot sports/gigs etc, my general understanding of it is that you need liability insurance and you need to be shooting for a publication or agency attached to one, in order to gain a press pass.
No event organiser in the right mind will allow someone to come in and take photos in a press position simply to post on the internet or use for a uni assignment, infact I know of some event organisers who are strictly against the idea of allowing "general public" press passes for the simple reason that the pros suffer.
Surely, your best bet is to get a work placement or sponsorship with a pro photo agency or something.
And as other people have said, it depends on the event, i've waltzed right into a few places wearing a canon EOS vest loaded with kit and a big white lens bolted over my shoulder, no one has asked any questions...

Schnippzle · 2 May 2008 at 16:12

Gaffer said:
Fair enough.

But can we help him anyway?

I'm thinking:

Photographers waistcoat. Beige. Dirty. Bulging pockets.

A couple of old press passes from other events clipped on the brest pocket.

A couple of cameras with battery grips slung nonchalantly over the shoulder. One should have a white lens. The other should have an off-camera flash on a bar out to the side and a curly lead to a belt-mounted battery pack.

A notepad and pen.

A dictaphone and a cellphone.

Everything should be scruffy, well worn and held together with gaffer tape.

With tht sort of rig, he should pass for press almost anywhere.

Andrew

Sounds more like a trainspott.....oh wait.

version3point1 · 2 May 2008 at 19:08

If you haven't already, join the National Union of Journalists. With them, you can also see about applying into their UK Press Card Scheme. Not sure if that'll help, but being part of a union like the NUJ might allow you to gain some contacts who could give you a few tips/open a few doors for you.

PhillyDee · 2 May 2008 at 20:05

I thought you just needed a white bit of paper stuck in the hat with PRESS written on it in marker?

Attu90 · 2 May 2008 at 20:17

version3point1 said:
If you haven't already, join the National Union of Journalists. With them, you can also see about applying into their UK Press Card Scheme. Not sure if that'll help, but being part of a union like the NUJ might allow you to gain some contacts who could give you a few tips/open a few doors for you.

Exactly right, join the NUJ and they apply for a UK Press Pass, this is recognised by the Police and other authorities.
The UK Press Pass wont give you immediate access to events but it is useful when applying for events.

ic0n · 2 May 2008 at 21:36

Attu90 said:
Exactly right, join the NUJ and they apply for a UK Press Pass, this is recognised by the Police and other authorities.
The UK Press Pass wont give you immediate access to events but it is useful when applying for events.

yer basicly what i am doing as after i bit more digging round online my friend just said the nuj will give out a press card

so this is what i am doing also most people say an nuj card will noarmaily do to get in as long as u look like a pro and not there with a point and click cam

Dangerous · 2 May 2008 at 21:56

Messiah Khan said:
The best form of 'press pass' is a bit of confidence, a personality and the balls to try things (Ie when it says no entry, it doesn't REALLY mean no entry, it means you probably shouldn't go that way but if you do you might get a bit told off.)

In other words, try and get in places by being upfront and friendly, get your name known and if all else fails then blag your way into places.

I walked around the NEC like I owned the place - It really works; act like you are meant to be there and if questioned then blag it. I was filming for a Pistonheads video but wasn’t meant to be in half the places I got!

If they see you are very sure about yourself they will generally let you past.