How to Get Kicked Out of Rockefeller Plaza

I just had my latest run-in with law enforcement while shooting Dancers Among Us with Ballet Hispanico. This time it was in Rockefeller Center. I simply wanted a quick lift and a kiss. First I tried to have Vanessa Valecillos and Nicholas Villeneuve stand on a bench so I could get their full bodies in the frame. After about five seconds, they were told by security to get off the bench, and we didn't get the shot.


So then we went in front of the tree to try it again. But apparently there's a rule against lifting of any kind, because a second officer stopped us.

We still didn't get the shot.


The dancers were getting cold and stiff (it was 25 degrees!), so I decided to have them go back to the original bench.

We practiced the lift once on 5th Avenue,


and then they jumped on the forbidden bench and nailed it! I got the shot, we all got yelled at and nobody ended up in handcuffs. Perfect!