James Marcus Haney doesn't like taking the usual route in life, because of this, he is now one of the most sought-after photographers in the music scene.
'No Cameras Allowed' is the documentary of his infamous journey from fan to fame, all by breaking into music festivals and immersing himself in some of the biggest names in the industry. Over the last five years, Marcus has successfully weaseled his way into more than 50 festivals around the world, including: Coachella, Bonnaroo, Glastonbuy and The Grammys. Along the way he has even built personal relationships with the artists and bands.
This November, Jack Daniel's Future Legends will exclusively screen 'No Cameras Allowed' in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, and host Q&As with Marcus himself.
The cult film is an intimate, honest, behind the scenes look at world-renowned artists from the perspective of someone who was never really invited, but always asked to stay. “I jumped a fence into a festival to hear my favourite bands play and ended up stealing the dream of a lifetime,” says Marcus. “I'm not saying everyone should go and hop fences – I'm saying don't be afraid to take the unusual route sometimes. Or all the time.”
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Do you get a thrill when sneaking past security or hopping the fence to a show?
Yes – it's very thrilling. Whenever there's risk, there's always some form of thrill.
Would you consider yourself an adrenaline junkie?
I do love a good adrenaline jolt. Other sources of adrenaline are pretty much all rooted in risk as well; cliff jumping, pier jumping, trying to surf waves that are way too big for me, sneaking into and running through the local zoo's African big cats section at night with steaks taped to my buttocks... Lots of ways to get the kicks in.
What was your first experience with fence jumping?
I used to sneak into movie theatres as a kid, the local arboretum at night to play airsoft and construction sites. First real fence at a festival was in 2010 though.
Do you disguise yourself if you've gained access without a pass?
I've only altered my identity in a big way once to sneak into a show. Ellie Goulding challenged me to sneak into a gig on a private island in the Bermuda Triangle. So I got professional makeup artists and they made me look just like her. One of the worst ways to sneak into anywhere. I mean, it worked brilliantly but being a girl for a day sucked. Don't know how they get on with all that hair in their face, food, etc.. And tweezed eyebrows! And bras! Naw, I'll stick to the old-fashioned way next time of jumping and running instead.
Is it a solo mission or do you bring your buddies?
Usually I bring buddies – lots more fun that way. I've done a few solo missions and those are great because you are way more apt to meet people and make new friends if you are alone. Just like travelling.
You've said people shouldn't be afraid to “take the unusual route sometimes”; what other unusual routes have you taken in life?
Oh man, that's a wide question. Hmm, I guess one thing I did back in college that a lot of my friends didn't was to skip out on the usual Spring Break destinations and opt for weirder places to explore solo. Part of it was financial, but mostly it was wanting to get out of the comfortable college circles and get to somewhere no one's suggested I go before. So instead of Cancun or Vegas, I ended up in places like Honduras. Was hairy sometimes, yes, but man I learned a tonne and made some lifelong friends.
You've built personal relationships with some artists you've snuck in to see; how has experience shaped your life?
I've been really lucky to have turned sneaking into shows into making movies and taking pictures as a career. A lot of that has to do with landing in some backstage areas of some really incredible bands who are also really incredible people. If it wasn't for how rad they are and them taking a risk on me and giving me massive chances, I'd probably be shooting stuff outside of music today. Going back to the very beginning, for starters, those 3 bands on the Railroad Revival Tour have become some of my best dudes ever. Owe a whole humongo shit ton to them.
What's their reaction when they find out you've rorted the system to get into their show?
Usually the bands' reactions are that they find the situation pretty funny. I've never been thrown out because a band has had me thrown out, yet. Security guards on the other hand – not so funny. You'll see in the film how some security guards handle jumpers...
You're a professional photographer, and one of the most sought after in the music industry; surely you'd get into the pit without purchasing a ticket anyway?
These days I don't sneak in to gigs much anymore. If I do it's because a band has dared me or I gotta finesse in a lot of my friends. These days I'm really lucky to 'work' at the festivals for bands and don't have to fuss over making fake wristbands, etc.. Funny though – a lot of the security guards that I would get tackled by a couple years ago remember me and can't believe that I'm allowed back and they can't do anything about kicking me out again.
Do you condemn others gatecrashing?
I'm definitely not proposing everyone go out and crash gates. If you gotta sneak in, then you gotta sneak in. But be careful if you're taking a gate down. Things get dangerous when a whole slew of people get together and run a gate down. At the end of the day, you're there to see music and experience music and have a great time. If you're not there for that, then don't come in the first place. But potentially hurting someone while trying to sneak in is just dumb. If you're hellbent on sneaking in because you absolutely gotta see someone play, I get it. Just do it in a smart way.
There are plenty of copycats out there, any advice for them?
Same as previous question - make sure you have the right motives for sneaking in and once you do make it in, it's like stolen chocolate – the music tastes soooo much sweeter.
'No Cameras Allowed' is said to be an 'intimate, honest, behind the scenes look at world-renowned artists...'; tells us a few things we'll see in the film...
People come to see this film to see a dude sneak into a lot of festivals. And they'll see that for sure. But what most aren't expecting is the personal journey through it all. There are a lot of universal themes in the film that anyone can relate to – regardless if you're a music lover or fezzie junkie or whatever. It's a very POV piece that has a lot of action but also some heart, too. There are some special people that I fell in love with on the road and have become some of my dearest friends since. These non-musician folks are just as special and important to the story as the famous musicians, and you'll see why and end up cheering for them just as much, too.
NO CAMERAS ALLOWED
Wed 4 Nov – SydneyThurs 5 Nov – Brisbane
Thurs 11 Nov – Melbourne
