New Portable Sentry Case Offers Videographers On-Site Security
June 04, 2008
Los Angeles, CA -  The scenario: A southern California upscale
wedding reception is underway at a lovely four star hotel and several hundred guests are enjoying the event, which is being covered by a creative videographer. Everything is going fine -- until the First Dance is about to begin.
That’s when the videographer turns to an assistant and exclaims, “Where’s my case, where’s my case?” Apparently, a wedding crasher found an opportunity for a “snatch & grab” and has stolen the videographer’s camera case. Inside the case was thousands of dollars in equipment, including an additional digital camera, an expensive telephoto lens, lighting, and miscellaneous gear - even the videographer’s cell phone was in the case!
But the biggest problem of all is the missing media. Footage shot earlier, including pre-ceremony and ceremony was in that case and it's now gone. Worse still, the videographer had no errors & omissions (professional liability) insurance for protection and no equipment insurance. It's a total loss.
Equipment Thefts Attracting Media Attention
Wedding crashers are professionals organized and skilled in stealing expensive equipment from videographers, photographers, and others. They pose as guests and blend in at special events. Stolen video gear is easily unloaded on the black market. The problem has become so pervasive, it’s even attracting mainstream TV news attention – click here.
WEVA International member Lon Andre, owner of CalVideo Events in Los Angeles, knows about locations that make easy targets, and has been to hundreds of them as a freelance shooter and for his own company jobs. "As videographers know," Lon says, "security at all locations is not the same. Certain properties are wide open where equipment can easily disappear, while other venues are more secure, so the threat is not as great. The point is, we all work hard on a job to do a good job, and we shouldn’t have to worry whether or not our equipment might be stolen."
Because videographers expend so much energy in just thinking about protecting equipment and hearing about excruciating losses, Lon decided to create, design, and produce a mobile security case with various levels of protection to help fellow videographers obtain that peace of mind on-location. That's when Sentry Case (pictured above) was born.
Videographers who don’t have a portable security system often hire an assistant to help watch the gear, but even an assistant can get distracted, and in a competitive marketplace where job pricing is at issue, paying for extra help is not always realistic or affordable on a regular basis.
One Case, Three Levels of Security
Different shooting locations have different degrees of security threats. The new Sentry Case has a Level 3 Security System, which provides the ability to customize the level of security on the Sentry Case for each location by using single or multiple levels of security depending on the need. The 3 Level Security System on the Sentry Case is quick and easy to use.
Level 1 Security is Removable Handles. There are two handles with quick-release pins that can be removed and stowed in the case. A thief has to literally pick up the entire case with both hands to remove it from the premises, not as easy as it sounds, and could look very suspicious, which can act as a deterrent. Also, a quick-release pin can be used to lock the telescoping travel handle inside the case.
Level 2 Security is an internal 108dB Alarm System. You can go to Level 2 Security by plugging in the supplied 12v AC adapter, turning on the locking toggle switch inside the case, and locking the case with chrome keyed locks. If anyone unplugs or cuts the cord when the system is activated, the alarm will sound. In addition, there is a laminated card that attaches to the cable that says: DO NOT UNPLUG, ALARM WILL SOUND.
Level 3 Security (pictured) is a simple, yet strong padded Steel Cable to lock the case to any secure object such as a chair or table. When all three levels of the security system are used, it makes it extremely difficult to steal your high-end equipment, and with the custom security features, all three levels need not be activated at every location.
If your bride is in her hotel suite getting ready, for example, and you need to run up from the ballroom where you’ve placed equipment, including back-up gear, then Level 3 Security would be best. Leaving back-up equipment in your vehicle could mean shots are missed because access to the gear is not quick and handy.
The Sentry Case comes with various configurations, including a case with seven layers of pluck foam, padded divider trays, or completely empty. "I can drop my Sony DSR 300 in its soft case right into the Sentry Case and also have some room for my small backup camera, wireless gear, and other things," Lon says. "There’s enough room in the case for several Sony Z1U’s, or other small HD cameras, and if you’re on the job, you can quickly put your camera in the case, lock it, and go have a vendor meal or break without leaving your camera exposed on its tripod or hauling it around with you." For more details visit Sentry Case at www.thesentrycase.com
"Wedding and event videographers can go hands-on with cutting-edge digital video products, technologies, and accessories this summer at the WEVA 18th Annual Wedding & Event Video Expo, August 11-14, 2008 at Orlando Grande Lakes," said John Zale WEVA’s Director of Educational Development. WEVA EXPO 2008, the biggest convention and trade show for wedding and event videographers is open to all industry professionals (WEVA members receive discount registration).
The JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, host hotel for WEVA EXPO 2008, is already taking EXPO room reservations. The special discount for all EXPO attendees is only $99/night (single or double). To reserve rooms Click Here and in the "Additional Information" area, checkmark the Group Code box, then enter the code: WEVWEVA. The special EXPO rate is also valid three days before and after WEVA EXPO 2008. Watch WEVA.com for new WEVA NEWS MINUTE uploads, and WEVA EXPO 2008 updates.
About Wedding & Event Videographers Association International (WEVA)
Founded over a decade ago, WEVA International is the world's largest trade association for professional wedding and event videographers and leads the field with education that's on the cutting-edge of industry developments. WEVA is dedicated to advancing the professional interests of videographers globally through continuing education at events such as Wedding & Event Video Expo 2008 and WEVA's Wide World of Weddings & Events, technical support, group benefits, advocacy committees, new media, including Wedding & Event Videography Resource Guide, plus WEVA NEWS MINUTE videos, WEVA On-The-Air Podcasts, and streaming video on WEVA-TV.
Join WEVA online today to access valuable WEVA membership benefits that can help you succeed in your business, including new opportunities through ImageSpan's LicenseStream and CurbStream programs, plus low-cost Visa/MasterCard Merchant Status, Equipment Insurance, Liability Insurance, new Equipment Financing Program, WEVA NEWS MINUTE videos, WEVA On-The-Air podcasts, and more. Membership also provides opportunities for professional videographer (MPV) accreditation, and system-training at WEVA EXPO 2008 our industry’s biggest international convention and trade show. For more information contact the association at 941-923-5334 or email: [email protected] |
