Cameras are the most important pieces of equipment on the entire film set, so you have to take some precautions when moving them. Even the most affordable movie cameras cost at least a few hundred dollars per unit — and that’s not counting the tripods and other gear.
You don’t want to eat into your production’s budget with avoidable repairs and replacements. Follow this article to safely transport your camera equipment between sets and minimize production costs.
Create a Travel Checklist
Start by writing a simple checklist to ensure you stay organized and don’t misplace anything. A cluttered set is one of the cardinal sins of filmmaking. These must-haves should make an appearance on the checklist:
- Camera units
- Spare batteries and memory cards
- External hard drive
- Lens wipes
- Silica gel pouches
- Waterproof bags
- LED headlight
- Monopods, tripods and other stabilizing devices
You should also include each item’s monetary value and their roles on each set. This simple strategy will help you coordinate the locations more quickly and speed up production time, which could improve your chances of winning your next film festival. Plus, you’ll easily be able to file an insurance claim if something gets lost or broken.
Splurge on Protective Gear
When it’s time to pack up your camera equipment for the next scene, you need to use some protective materials. First, always pack your camera and lens separately and leave the aperture open. If the commute gets a little bumpy, you won’t have to worry about your entire camera set-up breaking. You’ll probably have to change lenses for the next scene anyway.
Every filmmaker needs a hard case with foam padding for their camera equipment. Beginners on tight budgets try to cut costs wherever possible, but they should make an exception for your main camera case. Fill it with extra padding so there’s no wiggle room. This advice is crucial for air travel — airlines don’t always handle luggage as gently as you’d prefer.
When packing your equipment into trucks and vans, you’ll find it helpful to follow a few simple guidelines. Always pack your heaviest and biggest items first and keep them in upright positions. Don’t stack them on their sides. Try to distribute the weight as evenly as possible. Most importantly, use moving straps wherever you can.
Get a Reliable Travel Trailer
If practical, filmmakers should stay on the ground to avoid the hassle of getting their equipment through airport security. You can’t trust strangers to handle your precious luggage unless you have no other choice. That means you must get a reliable travel trailer with enough space and shelter.
There are a variety of trailer subcategories for different industries, but recreational trailers are safe bets. Also, consider getting trailers for heavy machinery transportation if your production requires larger equipment, such as dollies and tracks. Weight is the most important factor. Calculate your essential equipment’s total weight to ensure your trailer has a strong enough towing capacity.
In any case, remember to find a storage location for your trailer when it’s not in use. Trailers exposed to the elements can erode the metal, develop rust and accumulate structural damage over time. Take care of your trailer just as you would take care of your camera equipment.
Consider the Climate
The set’s climate plays a huge role in the handling of camera equipment. For shooting in cold weather, it’s a good idea to pack extra batteries and keep them warm. Battery life can sharply drop in freezing temperatures and delay the production, so you need to take extra good care of your batteries under these conditions.
On the other hand, hot and humid weather calls for additional moisture-eliminating devices. Make sure you pack your equipment in waterproof bags and bring extra silica gel pouches in case something gets wet. To prevent your cameras from overheating, try to keep them in a shaded area once they make it onto the set.
Insure Your Equipment
As anyone with filmmaking experience knows, unexpected problems always pop up on set. An actor’s costume lacks continuity, lousy weather rolls through, a cameraman trips over a wire and breaks a unit — the list goes on. Many little things are out of your control, so you always need a backup plan. For your expensive camera equipment, insurance is your backup plan.
Filmmakers need to know the fine details of their insurance policy. Does it cover potential accidents like airline mishandling and weather-related damage? Be specific when discussing the plan with your provider — don’t leave anything up to interpretation. Insurance is another thing that you should feel comfortable spending a little extra on.
Protect Your Assets
Filmmaking is challenging, expensive work. You need to do everything in your power to protect your most valued assets. Without the camera equipment, there is no movie. Without the movie, no one will get to see your thoughts and ideas on the big screen. Remember these tips to keep your equipment safe so you can keep working towards your cinematic goals.
