In a bit of a fix here - I need to film some teenagers doing a magic show for a group of 6 year olds. Due to school regulations none of the audience can be identifiable , yet I want to capture the delight & awe on their faces. anyone know how to blur out faces or have general tips?
Thanks

Forget it man, your'e in the bureaucratic sensless nightmare world that stops parents from filming there kids in a school christmas play, but allows some contracted in camera man to shoot the lot and then charge you for a copy!

Its child protection gone mad and it has no logic, you'r best of keeping well out of it!

Would it be possible to use edits, film the teenagers performing the tricks but use an audience outside of the school for reactions where you have consent forms signed

Use the reaction audio with no video. Shoot it from the back. Best suggestion is tip one, forget the burocratic nightmare!

It's bad enough when you need a release, but getting around school restrictions just makes it too difficult. If the group is large enough and you shoot an extreme wide shot, you can show the audience without the faces being "identifiable." Then, if your photographer/videographer is good with lighting, you can gather together a small group and shoot extreme close-ups and color match the shots. If the school would let you shoot pick-up footage at the location, this could be relatively painless.

Otherwise, offer to do a large birthday party in exchange for signed consent forms.

Good luck!
Dave

You might try talking to a human being who still uses thier own mind to inquire if you might get around this rule as long as you announce that you are filming for your promo tape, etc. If you can find someone/anyone who still has some purogative in the institution you MIGHT work this out. Otherwise, I conceed you might just as well try for another oportunity or use the backs of heads, etc.

I did this. I had my little nieces and nephews come to a show and I chose them for the tricks I wanted to film. They had never seen these effects before and really fed off the others kids' reactions.
Alternately, you could use your friends' kids. Hope this helps.

Ben S