Taking RED to USA

[Sebastian Cepeda]

Hi folks,

On the 20th of October i will be going to L.A. to start shooting The Rift (http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/therift/) my question is how would you do it with importing the camera? The problem is i can only take around 23Kg for the normal luggage and for the handluggage only 10kg. So i thought of putting the RED Body and some accesories on the normal luggage, do you think is that a good idea? I dont want to be showing the red everytime someone stops me on the airport and explaining what it is.

is that a good solution or could the pressure damage the camera? what about batteries, can i take them with the normal luggage or handluggage? i have 2 red bricks and one with 190whz.

would be cool if someone could help me!

thanks a lot!

 

[David Collard]

Your trip is a disaster waiting to happen.
Pay the extra money and put the Red in a proper container unless you're going to bring it as hand luggage.
Otherwise it risks being damaged and guaranteed it will be flagged by a luggage machine.
There are very strict rules about batteries as well. Check on a previous reduser thread.

 

[sergio arguello]

first, Insure properly!!! Second check if our carrier (ie..American Airlines) has cinema plan which allows you to bring extra Luggage at a extremely reasonable rate. I believe its 25 per xtra bag (case) etc...and then check everything except the actual brain under the plane and bring the brain as carry-on if it makes you feel safer, and i find if you spend the xtra $$$ to at very least fly business it tends to go over alot easier. Upon your arrival you'll need to allign with a rental company for the batteries you wont be able to bring on the plane unless ou have the IDX removable cell type that circumvent FAA rules besides youll probably want to know where to get a spare
body in the event you need one,plus matte boxes etc...hope this helps

 

[Tobias Straka]

Sebastian, what the hell - are you crazy?

Batteries: they classify as "Larger Batteries". You can have one installed on the device plus 2 spare. So you're fine, but make sure you have the connected to the charger. Makes things easier. You can not check spare batteries.

Camera: I would never check the body, too important. Bags get lost, you know...

One other thing to consider: "Die Mitnahme von Film- und Kamera-Equipment zu kommerziellen Zwecken unterliegt anderen Gepäckbestimmungen. Bitte wenden Sie sich an unsere Reservierungszentrale." - this is for American Airlines, guess it's the same for other airlines.

Also, get a Carnet, otherwise you might get in trouble at the customs back in ZHR...

Have fun over there...

 

[Tobias Straka]

Oh, and one more thing - have the proper visa. Nobody will believe you're traveling with the RED ONE just for fun... Have a good time in Bern, and take the day off getting it

 

[Max Slavin]

I would personally ship it via a world version of FedEx...it's insured and I would have the peace of mind knowing that there is no chance of me damaging or losing my camera, I know they also will add an extra layer of protection if you add it.

 

[Michael Brennan]

I would personally ship it via a world version of FedEx...it's insured and I would have the peace of mind knowing that there is no chance of me damaging or losing my camera, I know they also will add an extra layer of protection if you add it.

For international shipments don't rely on F***x or D*L carrier insurance, if you can avoid it don't rely on them period!
Get a carnet.
Get a visa. If you are shooting entertainment show this will be difficult if you are just a DP. Docs and corporates are easier. Don't rely on production to do it without monitoring the process, if they give false or misleading info you will be the one banned from ever entering the USA.
Get insured. Make sure you have a copy of travel medical insurance that has your name on it. If you go to a hospital they will want paying and if your name isn't on the document you'll need a healthy credit card.

Ideally travel with someone who has used a carnet before because occasionally the airline or customs will get it wrong and fob you off so you need to have the confidence to stand your ground to have the thing filled in and stamped. You or your indemnity insurance company are liable if the carnet does not have an in and an out stamp.
If you are on a budget, take a camera flight case, fill it with accessories and check it in then hand carry the camera on board. When you land put the camera back in the flight case at the luggage carousel so it is protected. Peli cases are robust but heavy, buy a case (like a Globetrotter) made of vulcanised fibre as it weights about 1/3 the weight of a peli and is less alluring to thieves.

All the above info gained from 1st hand experience travelling London to USA shooting docs and corporates on low and high budgets and going head to head with F***x after they refused a £20k claim despite us paying their £250 insurance premium for one way France to UK.


Mike Brennan