Meet James Marcus Haney, a University of Southern California film student who risked it all for his dream. Marcus, the infamous young con artist, became famous for sneaking into festivals disguised as press. In the last five years, Marcus has successfully snuck into Coachella, Bonnaroo, Ultra, Austin City Limits and the UK's famous Glastonbury.
His story began in 2010 after successfully jumping a fence in order to attend Coachella, fueled by his desire to see the music he loves, spend time with friends and land the girls of his dreams. Haney manages to photograph the show before his departure, snapping numerous noteworthy shots. These shots become his claim to fame, and Haney begins to transform from a penniless college senior to one of the most well known photographers in the industry.
"No Cameras Allowed" follows Haney’s unforgettable and life-changing adventure which sparks the beginning of his career (not to mention an amazing soundtrack!). Haney conveys his stories through various forms with his compelling narrations and even cartoons! Although, his story is not all about sneaking in, it features various subplots of balancing his dream with his last semester of college and his relationships with those he loves.
Imagine spending time with your favorite band. Haney was invited to film the Mumford & Sons Train Tour along with Edward Sharpe and the Electric Zeroes and Old Crow Medicine Show. He was let into the world of some of his favorite artists. Haney confesses, "I was a kid that had never seen the other side of the veil, never conversed with a musician at length before. To be thrown on a 1940's vintage train living with some of my favorite bands ... because it was such a unique tour everyone was in the highest spirits ever. It was just this euphoria nonstop. Absolutely magic.”
photographer: Kacey Cornely
As festival season is in full swing, I patiently await to win the lottery or find $500 to buy tickets for my next music festival. After attending Firefly in 2014, I became hooked on music festivals. Festival culture is something truly unique, kindness is abundant, and you are surrounded by beautiful music. At my previous two festivals, I have met some amazing people from all over the country, and I’ve learned so much. Now that I am penniless, I am contemplating if I could successfully sneak into California’s famous Coachella or even Bonnaroo, but I am afraid that I will not succeed.
One June 21, 2015, an 18-year-old Sam Moeller from Moorestown New Jersey documented his break into Firefly Music Festival. He posted his journey on YouTube and his Facebook page. After reading Sam’s title for his escapade, I couldn’t help but notice a connection with Haney’s documentary. He titled his adventure “Cameras Allowed: How to Actually Sneak into a Music Festival”. Moeller was not successfully, he left the festival with hefty charges for trespassing and theft.
Haney's story is truly one of a kind. but be careful attempting to sneak into a festival. After Haney’s story gained popularity, technology has advanced, and it is becoming more and more difficult to get passed security. Instead of risking your clean criminal record or being charged with hefty fines, watch "No Cameras Allowed."
