Public Transportation Filming Production Information & Requests

Watershed Video Productions’ Transit-Related Filming Projects

Please note that Watershed Video Productions is not a ‘for-hire’ video production company, rather we specialize in the production of ‘virtual transit ride’ videos (all known as head-end videos, cab ride videos, front-view videos, etc.) for the viewing enjoyment of passenger transportation enthusiasts.  We enter into agreements with transportation service providers to film their service(s) on the basis that any revenue earned by Watershed Video Productions will be through the online distribution of the videos we produce.  Generally, Watershed Video Productions is the party that incurs all the required costs assessed by each transportation service provider for access to their services for filming our videos.

We are always on the lookout for new public transportation filming opportunities to expand the collection of different public transit videos for our viewers.  We have provided some information below for our viewers and for public transportation service providers who may be interested in allowing filming to occur on the services they operate.

For Our Viewers

We reach out to different public transportation agencies from time to time to inquire about filming different services when we have the available free time to do so.  However, not all transportation service providers are receptive to allowing filming for one reason or another, and we must respect those decisions.

While we do accept requests for specific services to be filmed from our viewers Watershed Video Productions will only film transportation services where clear, written, permission has been granted by the transportation service provider and/or appropriate legal, liability, and licencing agreements are in place for the video production.  This is to ensure the legal protection of both Watershed Video Productions as well as the transportation service provider before, during, and after filming.

Some transportation service providers have either declined to permit filming or have not responded to inquiries about filming; others have written policies that prohibit filming their services for one reason or another.  Some other content creators have filmed these services in some form without the permission of the transportation service provider, this is something we will not do.  We ask that, as viewers, you do not request videos of the following services and respect their decision to not allow filming to occur:

If you are employed in a managerial or supervisory role at one of the above-listed transportation service providers and are in a position in your organization to reconsider allowing your services to be filmed, Watershed Video Productions would be more than happy to have a conversation with you in that regard!

The primary responsibility of each transportation service provider is the safe and efficient operation of passenger transportation and those responsibilities may not permit filming to occur.  While Watershed Video Productions hopes that at some future time, these transportation service providers will reconsider allowing filming of their services we must respect their decision to not allow filming in the meantime.

To make a filming request or to contact us please send us an e-mail at: watershedvideoproductions@gmail.com

For Public Transportation Service Providers

If you are employed in a managerial or supervisory role at a transportation service provider, are in a position in your organization to permit your services to be filmed, and would be interested in allowing your services to be filmed please read below.

Generally, Watershed Video Productions focuses on filming ‘complete networks’ of services (such as passenger rail services, bus rapid transit services, etc.) and other unique transportation services (ie. monorails, gondolas, etc.) for our viewers.  For example, if your organization runs a multi-line subway network, we would likely ask that we be permitted to film each line and each unique service pattern for a complete video collection of your network for our viewers rather than just a single line in your network…unless your system only has a single line, in which case that would be the complete network.

Watershed Video Productions is committed to ensuring that all filming activities are done with minimal (if any) impact on your service operations and that safety is always the top priority during our filming activities!  To contact us regarding the possibility of filming on board your transportation services please send us an e-mail at: watershedvideoproductions@gmail.com

Information Regarding Filming Rail-Based Transportation Services

Generally, filming on rail-based services requires the placement of our camera equipment on the front window of an in-service train and recording the end-to-end journey of the line in each direction; this is repeated for each line and each unique service pattern.  Depending on your network filming could take one day, or multiple days (such as where unique service patterns exist during overnight or weekend time periods, or where the network is quite large and expansive such as in large metropolitan areas).

Important notes:

• We intentionally use camera equipment that is small and unobtrusive to ensure that the view of the train operator is not obstructed.  We use a 4K vehicle dashcam for all filming with a small independent power supply (cell phone battery charger).
• The camera is usually centred horizontally and as low as possible on the end window to remain out of the operator’s direct line of sight, but final placement is generally determined in consultation with your staff before filming occurs since different types of rail vehicles have different window configurations (even from one end of the train to the other).
• Our camera and power supply are both suction-mounted to avoid damaging any of your equipment and to allow the camera to be left unattended during the journey of the train.  The one-person film crew only requires access to the end window of the train to place the camera at the start of the line and to remove the camera at the end of the line and can remain in the passenger area during the journey.  The camera placement and removal may also be done by one of your staff members with our guidance.
• The setup and take-down of our camera equipment takes less than 30 seconds to ensure the turn-around time of the vehicle at the ends of the line is not impacted.

Information Regarding Filming Bus-Based Transportation Services

Generally, filming on bus-based services requires the placement of our camera equipment on the front window of an out-of-service bus that is mimicking an in-service journey (stopping briefly at each station/stop on the line) and recording the end-to-end journey of each line in each direction; this is repeated for each line and unique service pattern.   We generally only film bus rapid transit networks, or unique bus services within a transportation network rather than the entire bus network.  This is because local bus routes/services within a network may change frequently and the videos we produce could become outdated quickly.  Depending on your transit network filming could take one day or multiple days (such as where unique service patterns exist during overnight or weekend time periods, or where the network is quite large and expansive such as in large metropolitan areas).

Important notes:

• We intentionally use camera equipment that is small and unobtrusive to ensure that the view of the bus operator is not obstructed.  We use a 4K vehicle dashcam for all filming with a small independent power supply (cell phone battery charger).
• The camera is usually centred horizontally and as high as possible on the front window to remain out of the operator’s direct line of sight and to have a view over most road traffic, but final placement is generally determined in consultation with your staff before filming occurs since different types of buses have different window configurations.
• Our camera and power supply are both suction-mounted to avoid damaging any of your equipment and to allow the camera to be left unattended during the journey of the bus.  The one-person film crew only requires access to the front window of the bus to place the camera at the start of the line and to remove the camera at the end of the line and can remain in the passenger area during the journey.  The camera placement and removal may also be done by one of your staff members with our guidance.
• Generally, Watershed Video Productions incurs the costs related to providing the out-of-service bus and bus operator for filming, some service providers may use a charter rate for this purpose if they offer charter bus services.
• The setup and take-down of our camera equipment takes less than 30 seconds.

Additional Filming Information

• Generally, transportation service providers will provide a staff member in a supervisory role to supervise/monitor all filming and to liaise with the vehicle operators.  Watershed Video Productions generally covers the costs of providing staff supervision.
• Generally, filming agreements will include a clause requiring Watershed Video Productions to surrender any footage to your organization that captures any emergencies, critical incidents, etc. on board your services during filming, Watershed Video Productions is happy to comply with these types of provisions.
• Watershed Video Productions can provide any required insurance coverage required by your organization during filming as well as any fees for filming permits, etc. that are generally levied for filming on board your services.
• Watershed Video Productions is happy to provide complimentary usage to your organization of any raw footage filmed aboard your services so you may create your own marketing or promotional materials from it.  We would ask that a license agreement be prepared and signed in advance if your organization wishes to use the footage.  Watershed Video Productions will retain ownership of the footage without restrictions to its use.
• Watershed Video Productions is ‘pro-transit’ and is committed to producing videos that depict your transportation services only in a positive light for our viewers!