ON THE ROAD WITH DiT VIDEO PT.3
The DiTVideo team is going on a trip again! This week, we will be traveling to the wonderful states of California and Illinois so that we can film some material for one of our clients, and we’ve been really excited about it. Therefore, we thought it was only appropriate that we post another “On The Road With DiTVideo” entry, in anticipation of our trip. In our previous entries, we went over things like basic route selecting and figuring out exactly what you need to pack when utilizing a trailer. This time, however, we wanted to make a note of what you should do if you happen to go on a trip where you do not have access to your usual equipment. Sometimes, getting to your destination requires a flight, and that can mean having to leave a large amount of your gear behind, especially if shipping your usual gear is too expensive or not worth the trouble/risk. Plus, in a context such as this, limiting your gear is certainly not the only issue you need to consider. In fact, trips like these often require a great amount of planning to make sure that they go smoothly. If you don’t take time to properly prepare, you may find yourself far from home and realizing that you overlooked something you were supposed to take care of.
First, let’s start with the equipment dilemma, as this one is obviously one of great concern when planning for a flight. The first thing you need to establish is how much you can carry on the plane with you. For example, sometimes you may find yourself only being able to bring one piece of carry on luggage with you. This will often happen if you purchase a ticket for a flight whose layover spot is your final destination. In any case, make sure to figure out how much you can afford to carry. Second, take a minute to figure out what you can carry onto your flight. We know you’ve heard this warning time and time again, but it really is warranted. You’d be surprised how many people don’t know what types of batteries are or aren’t allowed on flights, and even the ones that are permitted often have to be packed or safely enclosed so that they aren’t shorted, punctured, cracked, or in contact with other potentially harmful items. Without the proper precautions, you may find yourself leaving important items at the airport, and kicking yourself about it, to boot.
So, you figured out how much, and what, you can carry onto your flight, that’s good, but you also seem to find yourself lacking in some equipment you really need. Sometimes it’s inevitable that you’re going to have to leave some important equipment behind, and as stated before, shipping it is not always the best option. So what’s the best plan of action from here? Talk to your client and the studio space that you are recording at. It doesn’t matter if the studio was pre selected or if you picked it yourself, always make sure you find out what they have in stock when it comes to equipment. Studios and production companies can often have varying degrees of involvement in your production depending on what they specialize in. Some studios are simply a space for you to shoot in, while others are not only in possession of spare equipment you can rent, but also an entire production team! Naturally, the studio you select is entirely dependant on your needs, which is why you should always do some thorough research on the location. After properly informing yourself on the matter, you can then iron out all the details regarding packing for your flight and reserve any aid or equipment you may need upon arrival!
The final tip we are going to mention for today is one that we cannot encourage enough, and that is: always have a production book with you. When it comes to drafting a production book, every important shred of information, and maybe even some not-so-important info, should find its way in there. Things like travel information and times, required equipment, rented equipment, cast and crew, scripts, daily schedules, and potential food locations, are excellent examples of what you should be included. Honestly, even if you are unsure about something being included in your production book, it may be best that you include it anyway. While it may feel very tedious, constructing an informative and organized production book is your main resource for staying as efficient as possible. Furthermore, along with keeping your team informed and on task, your production book is going to help your client, or anyone else who isn’t directly on your team, gain a better understanding of your process and what they should be expecting out of the finished product. We don’t doubt that many of you are capable of staying organized and efficient by yourselves, but it’s important for us to remember that we are all humans capable of making mistakes. Thankfully, many of these mistakes can be fixed or avoided entirely with the help of this coveted resource. You know what mistake is really hard to fix? Writing a production book when you’re already on set and realize that you have a question you can’t answer. Do us, and yourself, the favor. Write a production book.
As usual, there’s always more to learn when it comes to video production during travel, but we hope that this entry provides some of you with just a little more knowledge than you had before. Even if you knew some of this stuff prior to reading it, mental reinforcement of important information can only do your body good. Trust us, when you’re no longer worrying about scheduling or where your crew is going to eat during lunch, you’ll find that your work will only benefit. Until next time, and happy filming!
