Camera cables, power and safe routes at public events

Cables and power are agreed with the venue before the day, and each one has an owner. If a cable crosses a path where guests walk, it needs the venue’s approval and a proper cover. If it can be avoided with battery cameras or a wireless link, we say so in the plan.

When does filming need cables?

Many events need none. A crew with battery cameras and wireless microphones can work without trailing a single cable. Cables enter the plan in three situations:

• Sound from the venue: a cable from the sound desk gives cleaner speech than a microphone in the room.
• Long or multi-camera programmes: mains power avoids stopping to change batteries mid-speech.
• Screens and streams: a picture sent to venue screens or a stream needs a cable run to a switcher or the AV desk. See live feed to venue screens for that service.

Tell us the venue and we confirm which of these apply to your event, so you only discuss the cables you really need.

What does the venue need to approve?

Public and hired spaces usually decide this centrally. The KL Convention Centre’s published guidelines, for example, ask organisers to coordinate camera positions and cable runs with the venue, and to give advance notice of commercial filming. Other venues may not publish rules, but the manager will still have a view.

Ask the venue:

1. May outside crews run cables, and along which routes?
2. Which power points can we use, and is there a charge?
3. Does the venue supply cable covers or ramps, or do we bring them?
4. Who from the venue signs off the routes on the day?

How do we keep routes safe?

A safe route is one a guest, a child or a person using a wheelchair can pass without noticing the cable. These habits help:

• Run cables along walls and behind stages, not across the main aisle.
• Where a cable must cross a path, use a flat cover that is taped down at both edges.
• Keep exits, fire equipment and service doors clear at all times.
• Place camera stands and cases away from walking lines.
• Walk the route with the venue contact before guests arrive, then again after the last test.

For camera positions that keep views and access open, see our guide to camera positions that preserve accessible routes and guest views.

Who is responsible for what?

Write this down before the event. An illustrative split follows. Your venue contract and scope will decide the real one.

If something goes wrong, such as a cable moved by someone else or a socket switched off, the crew tells the organiser and the venue contact at once and fixes it.

What we confirm for your event

• Whether your event needs any cables, and why.
• Who brings cable covers and battery backup.
• What time we run cables, and how long we need to clear them.
• Which person at the venue you introduce us to.

For sound planning, see our guide to temporary venues. The venue filming questions checklist has a place to record the approved cable routes. To plan this with us, tell us the venue and date. Our event videography service page explains what we film.