was there to watch and shoot 2 reharsals already. There wasn't any entry restrictions if you go up to the spectator seats through the normal spectator gates. Basically anyone could wander in, and people did. Vendors too, e.g. uncles selling drinks on push carts. Tons of people were wandering in and out, probably familly member of rehearsal participants.
Later I found that some parts are restricted access, e.g. the place where the combined choir sits for their performance, you really need an access pass then.
Last week I found some half hearted efforts at guarding. e.g. from the spectator seats I could walk down to the field level and out through the big gates and nobody said anything. But if I tried to walk back through the same gates I was stopped. But the guy said: "if you want to shoot photos, go up the stairs and come down from there."
There was an MP (military police, not member of parliament) on each side of the grandstand part where there is a sort of fence with a gate in it. It wasn't clear which side of the barrier they are restricting access to. This is because to get from one side of the barrier to the other, all I have to do is pop down the stairs to the wide corridor (where the toilets are) and go up the stairs beyond the barrier, and they are something like just 15 meters apart. Every single stairs is unguarded (except for the choir section as i said).
the rehearsals usually start at 2pm. this is very dressed down, mainly for the timing, alignment, etc. There will be a more full dress one at the actual time (same timing as for the actual performance). At this time they will be very strict on the field, even with the offical photographers.
no access for this saturday though, that is by ticket only. I expect them to have stricter access restirctions for the more formal rehearsals also.
If anybody is interested I'll post a link to the tons (and I mean tons) of my pictures taken at the rehearsal. Just starting out so quality is not there but if you are interested in what's happening... the photos are interesting to see. I don't think the photos from the rehearsals are restricted, I see tons of people taking photos using cameras and camera phones too.
Later I found that some parts are restricted access, e.g. the place where the combined choir sits for their performance, you really need an access pass then.
Last week I found some half hearted efforts at guarding. e.g. from the spectator seats I could walk down to the field level and out through the big gates and nobody said anything. But if I tried to walk back through the same gates I was stopped. But the guy said: "if you want to shoot photos, go up the stairs and come down from there."
There was an MP (military police, not member of parliament) on each side of the grandstand part where there is a sort of fence with a gate in it. It wasn't clear which side of the barrier they are restricting access to. This is because to get from one side of the barrier to the other, all I have to do is pop down the stairs to the wide corridor (where the toilets are) and go up the stairs beyond the barrier, and they are something like just 15 meters apart. Every single stairs is unguarded (except for the choir section as i said).
the rehearsals usually start at 2pm. this is very dressed down, mainly for the timing, alignment, etc. There will be a more full dress one at the actual time (same timing as for the actual performance). At this time they will be very strict on the field, even with the offical photographers.
no access for this saturday though, that is by ticket only. I expect them to have stricter access restirctions for the more formal rehearsals also.
If anybody is interested I'll post a link to the tons (and I mean tons) of my pictures taken at the rehearsal. Just starting out so quality is not there but if you are interested in what's happening... the photos are interesting to see. I don't think the photos from the rehearsals are restricted, I see tons of people taking photos using cameras and camera phones too.
