I'm going to be doing a music video for a friend's band in the upcoming months. We've got the perfect location in mind, and I've been tracking down contact information for the property owner. I finally found out who owns it and got a mailing address (thank you small town Town Clerks who are ever-so-happy to give you any info you want right over the phone, no questions asked) and a contact name and possible phone number (not sure if it's the right number or not and haven't tried calling yet).
The potential issue is that this is not just any old location. It's an abandoned Cold War-era air force radar station. I've hiked to it once before (the area is open for recreational use) and it would be absolutely ideal for this video. And it's not like there are a ton of similar locations around. (I realize that this location presents all sorts of additional potential challenges, but I'm tackling one thing at a time here...)
If it weren't for the fact that vehicle access is banned (the road in is gated) without permission, I'd totally do this guerilla-style (the location is about a half hour past the middle of freakin' nowhere, so as long as it's not hunting season, there's little chance of running into another living person out there). But since it's a tough 4.5 mile hike to the main part of the base, that's not really an option (especially when you add band gear on top of filmmaking gear...I don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to try to carry a full drum kit that far up a mountain...).
So, I'm trying to figure out the best way to contact this guy. What should I say? How much information should I give in the initial contact? Should I just mail a letter or call (with the caveat, of course, that the phone number might no longer be active)? This guy is in his 70s (based on the year he graduated from Harvard), so I'd say there's a slim-to-none chance that he's a hard rock/metal fan, so that angle is probably out. I know I need to stress to him that this is not a group of teenagers (almost everyone involved is in their late-20s through 40s) and we're not going to do damage to the site. But I'm not sure exactly how to get that across. Any tips on how to approach this for the best possible chance at getting the "okay" would be really appreciated!
The potential issue is that this is not just any old location. It's an abandoned Cold War-era air force radar station. I've hiked to it once before (the area is open for recreational use) and it would be absolutely ideal for this video. And it's not like there are a ton of similar locations around. (I realize that this location presents all sorts of additional potential challenges, but I'm tackling one thing at a time here...)
If it weren't for the fact that vehicle access is banned (the road in is gated) without permission, I'd totally do this guerilla-style (the location is about a half hour past the middle of freakin' nowhere, so as long as it's not hunting season, there's little chance of running into another living person out there). But since it's a tough 4.5 mile hike to the main part of the base, that's not really an option (especially when you add band gear on top of filmmaking gear...I don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to try to carry a full drum kit that far up a mountain...).
So, I'm trying to figure out the best way to contact this guy. What should I say? How much information should I give in the initial contact? Should I just mail a letter or call (with the caveat, of course, that the phone number might no longer be active)? This guy is in his 70s (based on the year he graduated from Harvard), so I'd say there's a slim-to-none chance that he's a hard rock/metal fan, so that angle is probably out. I know I need to stress to him that this is not a group of teenagers (almost everyone involved is in their late-20s through 40s) and we're not going to do damage to the site. But I'm not sure exactly how to get that across. Any tips on how to approach this for the best possible chance at getting the "okay" would be really appreciated!
