Press Pass

[PAULJ5555]

I was thinking about how people get into these car press day events, also the recent R8 spyder road test.


What I'm asking is what classes you as press to get in, do you have to be part of a publication that produces over say 1000 copies or are you picked by the events from a list.

[Garlick]

Car launches/ drives - you need to be known to some degree, either personally or the publication you work for. The level of importance placed on you/ your publication by the manufacturer determines the invites you get, the cars you drive and how early you get them.

Most publications (us included) re present our audience/ proposition many times throughout the year to stay in the manufacturers mind, and therefore always being considered for new car drives.

Getting a press car/ invite isn't as easy as you might think. The more coverage you give, the more favourably you will be viewed, but sheer numbers isn't everything, it's how targeted that audience is.

[Conor D]

Somewhat related; what about media/photographer passes?

You see them at all motorsport events.. They get to wear a vest, and in alot of cases go wherever they want to take good pictures.

Is it the same idea? Or can an amateur/freelance guy apply to get a media/photo pass?

[Garlick]

Depends on the importance of the event, but the same rules usually apply.

If you are a known freelancer or work for a publication then press passes can be obtained (a covering letter from the editor of the publication is sometimes required). Press launches for road cars, the mags usually take their own/ those they know.

Getting into a GP event is obviously tricky and you'd need to meet certain criteria but for a lesser meet it will obviously be a lot easier.

Someone will know more than me about this though, I'm sure.

[the-gofer]

Conor D said:

Somewhat related; what about media/photographer passes?

You see them at all motorsport events.. They get to wear a vest, and in alot of cases go wherever they want to take good pictures.

Is it the same idea? Or can an amateur/freelance guy apply to get a media/photo pass?

I've wondered about this too. I assume it's also got something to do with insurance, as with a press pass you can often get into the pit lanes, inside the chain link etc.

Would love to be able to get some better photos at LM than the usual "slightly blurred by the fence" crop.

[Conor D]

I don't want to go too off topic, but even concerts? The group of guys who get in front of the barrier to take some snaps.. Same idea again?

[drakart]

Some friends got press passes for le mans (in 2001 ish) by going to the press area before the race and stated 'we are with the Hull Daily Mail'. The person behind the desk just said,'the whole daily mail? Ok then!' The ACO just handed them a high vis and gave them as much film as they could carry!! It was genius, but I can't see it happening this year!!

[Conor D]

drakart said:

Some friends got press passes for le mans (in 2001 ish) by going to the press area before the race and stated 'we are with the Hull Daily Mail'. The person behind the desk just said,'the whole daily mail? Ok then!' The ACO just handed them a high vis and gave them as much film as they could carry!! It was genius, but I can't see it happening this year!!

I remember there was a program on TV a few years ago called 'Blaggers', or something similar.. And they did the same thing (not at lemans) at some highprofile event..

[Gizmo!]

drakart said:

Some friends got press passes for le mans (in 2001 ish) by going to the press area before the race and stated 'we are with the Hull Daily Mail'. The person behind the desk just said,'the whole daily mail? Ok then!' The ACO just handed them a high vis and gave them as much film as they could carry!! It was genius, but I can't see it happening this year!!

Some friends?
The ACO gave them film?


I call BS.

[Jag-D]

For a motorsport press pass you need to be known (depending on the level of the event) or acredited by editor/published photographer

Then you usually need PL insurance

And sometimes, if you're intention is to sell your shots of the event as a freelance, you will be requested to pay a certain amount to the venue itself

I think Cadwell is £90 for TD photographers plus you need high cover PL insurance too

[Jag-D]

Gizmo! said:

drakart said:

Some friends got press passes for le mans (in 2001 ish) by going to the press area before the race and stated 'we are with the Hull Daily Mail'. The person behind the desk just said,'the whole daily mail? Ok then!' The ACO just handed them a high vis and gave them as much film as they could carry!! It was genius, but I can't see it happening this year!!

Some friends?
The ACO gave them film?


I call BS.

As a photographer, I find that hard to believe!

I know places like Harewood Hillclimb will give out a press pass pretty much as easily as that, but something like LM?

[drakart]

Gizmo! said:

drakart said:

Some friends got press passes for le mans (in 2001 ish) by going to the press area before the race and stated 'we are with the Hull Daily Mail'. The person behind the desk just said,'the whole daily mail? Ok then!' The ACO just handed them a high vis and gave them as much film as they could carry!! It was genius, but I can't see it happening this year!!

Some friends?
The ACO gave them film?


I call BS.

I have no real way of proving it, but why would i lie??!! I am not an internet fantasist.

Not sure why the ACO gave out film, but they did! The chaps involved are blaggers of the highest order, but are also highly regarded professionals and not liars. Like i said, there is no way of that happening nowadays and no way of proving that it did - but its would be a wierd story to fabricate!!

[550Hep]

drakart said:

Gizmo! said:

drakart said:

Some friends got press passes for le mans (in 2001 ish) by going to the press area before the race and stated 'we are with the Hull Daily Mail'. The person behind the desk just said,'the whole daily mail? Ok then!' The ACO just handed them a high vis and gave them as much film as they could carry!! It was genius, but I can't see it happening this year!!

Some friends?
The ACO gave them film?


I call BS.

I have no real way of proving it, but why would i lie??!! I am not an internet fantasist.

Not sure why the ACO gave out film, but they did! The chaps involved are blaggers of the highest order, but are also highly regarded professionals and not liars. Like i said, there is no way of that happening nowadays and no way of proving that it did - but its would be a wierd story to fabricate!!

Not at all beyond the realm of possibility, I was doing some consultancy work for a large media company a few years ago and used my work pass to blag a press pass to get access (free) at a few different events including the Motor Show.

[MikeDH]

Generally you need to be working for someone press related. I work for a photography agency for example.

Different events have different criteria, for example the Autosport Show would probably have a wider range of people that they would dish out passes to than the Grand Prix (which is difficult as there are very limited passes!)

You wouldn't blag your way into Le Mans these days I don't think!

[Fastra]

Conor D said:

I don't want to go too off topic, but even concerts? The group of guys who get in front of the barrier to take some snaps.. Same idea again?

Not quite the same stringent checks I think!

My mate got himself some decent gear, emailed loads of people (found in music mags and sites), got himself onto guest lists and within 3/4 months was at the MEN last month for the 50 Cent Gig:

http://photogralphy.carbonmade.com/

He's usually doing a gig a week on average, at places like Manc Apollo and Academy.

Edited by Fastra on Wednesday 21st April 18:21