I’m very pleased to announce that Beth Dooner has stepped up to take on the head of photography role for the events. Charlotte Moss has done an amazing job since Empire was launched encouraging people to take amazing photos at the events while guideing the policies we’ve set to protect the event for those who don’t want their image used. She’s left some big shoes to fill, but Beth is a fantastic photographer and I’m confident she’ll do a great job. She’ll be in touch with people soon who have indicated that they want to take photos on the battlefields at the events to sort out player photographer slots.
During the process of updating our photography guidelines, I tok the decision to change the rules to prevent all filming at the events. Previously filming by outside groups was allowed - but the rules for attendees were laden with caveats to allow players and ourselves to film if we wanted to. That situation suited some players - but was a real problem for others. There are lots of people who enjoy LRP for whom their real world job makes appearing in LRP images or films a no-no. We compromise already on allowing photographs - but having very strict take-down rules. However still photographs are easier to check and much easier to take-down.
So from this point fowards we will not be allowing any filming in the IC area during time-in at the events. That rule will apply to us as well - we have removed all the caveats that said we might film an event for promotional purposes. We get asked all the time to allow outside groups to come and film the roleplaying at events - the answer from this point forwards will be a categoric no to all inquiries. We’ve never done it at Empire - but by making absolutely clear that we won’t allow any filming at events then it means that we don’t exclude players for whom filming is a problem.
I do realize this won’t suit everyone - but I hope people will accept the compromise in the spirit it is intended - allowing people to take photographs of the events but ensuring that players who don’t want to be filmed can still attend. I’ve talked the changes through with Beth (and with Charlie as well since we’ve been looking at this change for a year now) and got their backing for these changes. If you feel the need to give any feedback about the new policy please direct it to me at matt@profounddecisions.co.uk
