To Tesla company Roadster drivers
The first shot of the car racing to camera is grossly irresponsible.
To all employees of Tesla motors.
You are a new and young company trying hard to passionately sell a groundbreaking product that is environmentally responsible. The Tesla Roadster and all of it’s successors, will surely be accountable for saving lives globally, but do not make the mistake of forgetting that a car is a deadly weapon.
As you meet with Photographers, News Crews, and Production Companies, there will always be tremendous pressure to “get the shot” and indeed your own zeal will drive you to put the car in an exciting light as well. But be aware that Shooting crews will ask you to do risky things like driving the Roadster at or near a cameraperson or crew in an unsafe way. This is not EVER necessary.
The shot in the Mahalo piece is speeded (sped) up for added excitement but driving a car towards a human being is inexcusable. The obvious chance for a mechanical failure or more likely, human error is simply not worth it. There is not any piece of film that is worth the life or limb of a person. Additionally, there is not any shot that cannot be done in a safe way. Unmanned cameras are an easy way to get exciting footage and the Mahalo shot could have been done on a crane arm.
An accident is unthinkable but consider the worst for a moment. Besides bringing harm to one or more individuals, the insurance liability, possible arrest for gross negligence
http://www.lectlaw.com/def/g020.htm or manslaughter,
http://www.lectlaw.com/def2/m013.htm , and the poor press, imagine the lifelong sick feeling everyone involved would have after a pointless incident where someone is harmed or killed.
There is great pressure for a Director, Camera crew and Producers to get a unique shot and they will often be willing to put themselves at risk. But you as a concerned Tesla employee can be equally passionate about the safety of individuals as you are about making a car that will save the planet.