60-Second Symposium

By Harriet Barovick, Val Castronovo, Mitchell Frank, Tam Gray, Desa Philadelphia, Julie Rawe, Hope Reeves, Chris Taylor and Owen Thomas

NOT PERMITTED Location, location, location! Last week Senator John McCain caught some flak after filming part of a campaign commercial in Arlington National Cemetery. This is a no-no because partisan activity isn't allowed on Army property. We asked a few guerrilla filmmakers to give McCain advice on shooting on the sly.

Amy Sommer, producer of the controversial, Oscar-nominated documentary Waco: The Rules of Engagement: "The next best thing to a hidden camera is to make sure that you have a camera person who can shoot and run at the same time. It's a little ironic that a Republican war hero is in trouble with the authorities. Maybe the 2000 race is getting interesting after all."

Daniel Myrick, co-director of The Blair Witch Project: "Your need for a location can often outweigh your influence, not to mention your bank account. Ask for permission first. If they say no, then you shoot quickly. All McCain needs to do next time is figure out a way to incorporate his campaign ads into a film student's senior-thesis project."

Roger Corman, B-movie king: "Do what we do. The actors drive to the location in an inconspicuous car, followed by a minivan. As the camera photographs them from the back of the minivan, the actors stroll casually to their positions and play the scene, then stroll back to their car. Everyone drives away."