First Time Traveling - What to bring/leave behind?

[Alexander Thomson]

Hey all,

I want to hear some of the tips/tricks & advice you guys have when it comes to traveling with your equipment. I've been shooting all around California for awhile, but I've got a corporate gig coming up in Miami next month that I need to think carefully about.

A director I've worked with in the past is flying me out to film an interview of a CEO, with b-roll of the facility, to get cut down to a 3 to 5 minute highlight reel of the company. They've used a different cinematographer in the past who shot on 7D and didn't use any lights whatsoever, so they're looking for a massive improvement in quality from the last few projects they've filmed.

Here's what I'm thinking:

Raven, 18-35, 24-70, 70-200, 1tb mini mags, two 150s and two 90s in the carry on bags. Personal suitcase, light stands, and tripod under the plane.

I have access to tungsten Arri's, Litepanels, or Kino Flos. I'm leaning towards the LP 1x1s.

Anything else I should be mindful of when traveling? Looking forward to hearing your insights.

Thanks!

-A

 

[Bill Totolo]

You'll get a lot of feedback on this one. I'll include a few thoughts knowing many more great ideas will follow.
1st of all, correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure you can't travel with your 150's. Anything above 100Wh is out unless you receive special permission from the airline.

I begin by packing a few days ahead of time so I don't feel rushed and I can think out my strategy.

Carry backups of anything critical: Card readers, cables, tools, memory cards, itinerary (printed and accessible on your phone), phone chargers, Panchro, sensor wands, release plates, 1/4 20 and 3/8 16 screws, noga arms, battery chargers, power strips, empty sand bags which can be filled/rented at location, c-47's, grip clips, Cardellini's, etc.

Bring your gel role.

Download the app, FlightTrack for up to the minute updates on your flights, register with TSA Precheck to skip the long lines and full body scanner (for future reference, this takes a few weeks to get approved)

Weigh your luggage at home, giving yourself a little extra room. Try not to exceed 45 pounds/case. Photograph your luggage before you close it so a) you know how to pack it all up, and b) you can quickly make an inventory to confirm nothing was stolen when you arrive at your destination.

Carry cash.

Board early so you can access overhead compartment. If traveling with your producer ask if they will share your carry-ons.

Make sure to have gaff and paper tape with you. If traveling with your sticks wrap in duvatine (protects it, and acts as a convenient way to transport the duvy).
Duvy, road flags, and black wrap help a lot on these types of shoots since you may have to mitigate reflections in office windows, eye-glasses, etc.

If you have a lot of cases I find it easier to use a luggage porter/valet to assist me on the destination end.

Rent a Ford Expedition, I love these for location work.
Pack an old school GPS so you don't have to rely on phone service for directions while out of town.

Book your room on the ground floor so you don't have to hassle with elevators (in a decent hotel, think safety). Completely empty your vehicle no matter how tired you are.

Buy a cheap rubber doorstop to make loading into your hotel room a breeze, they always have those heavy, self closing doors which bang up the luggage carrier.
Create a charging/DIT station in your room with your power strips.

Keep your windows closed and don't forget to put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door-knob.

After re-reading this I feel like it should be read to the tune of Baz Luhrmann's "Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen"
: )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI

 

[Josiah Duncan]

Unless it's changed recently you may carry on up to 2 150's (160 or less is the rule) and as many 90's as you please. You have to carry them on, can't check batteries. And absolutely positively carry on your critical gear, camera package and lenses should be on you at all times.

 

[Bill Totolo]

Unless it's changed recently you may carry on up to 2 150's (160 or less is the rule) and as many 90's as you please. You have to carry them on, can't check batteries. And absolutely positively carry on your critical gear, camera package and lenses should be on you at all times.

According to this faa.gov link dated 3/19/2013 you're correct.

https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/hazmat_safety/more_info/?hazmat=7

However, I'm referencing a link dated 9/9/2016 where the FAA states you need special approval to transport batteries from 101-160Wh:

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/passenger_info/media/Airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf

If anyone can provide additional clarity please chime in. I would call ahead or err on the side of caution.

 

[Matt Bass]

Be sure to ask for Media Rates when you check your bags, not all airlines do this but most do in the US. Delta, United, American, Southwest all accept media rates. You just need to show them a business card and / or media-press pass. Sometimes upgrading to First class will actually save you money because you are allowed more free bags than standard class tickets.

I always carry on my camera, batts & lenses - basically enough stuff to do the shoot in the event the airlines looses your bags (which happens sometimes.)

Last year I traveled about 100,000 miles and never lost anything, keep a detailed list of all you gear and which cases they are in. Number you cases and label them clearly. Also Gaff tape over all case latches - Ive seen cases come off the baggage claim totally open with lenses falling out!

Good Luck

 

[Darius Lyles]

I just flew last month with two Anton Bauer 150's with no problem. YMMV

 

[Darrell Ham]

For bulkier items(such as sticks, lights, etc), it's usually a lot easier and cheaper to rent at the destination.

For the times when you already have those bulky items and budget doesn't allow for renting, another option is to ship it out to your location(hotel/production office) few days ahead of time so that it can meet you at the destination.

As for packing, to lighten the load abit, I like to have the more important items that are being checked-in "stuffed" in hard cases where as all the expendables and smaller bits(tools, arms, screws, power strips, etc) in a soft case.

 

[paulherrin]

i totally read this as first time time-traveling... hehe
(highly recommend safety not guaranteed)

small thing but i'd say you don't really need the 70-200

 

[Philip Lima]

I have done a lot of traveling for very similar shoots with my RED kits and here is what I usually bring.

Carried on with me, one roller LowePro and one large backpack:
- 2x RED Weapons with canon mounts & Touch LCDs
- 4x RED V-Mount Batteries
- Canon 24-70, 70-200 and Rokinon 35mm Cine(usually lives on the Movi)
- 6x 512GB SSDs
- 2x 4TB LaCie Raid Drives
- Sennheiser Shotgun Mic + 25FT XLR
- 2x Sennheiser Wireless LAV kits
- Screw on filters for lenses

Checked:
- Movi M15 (one camera is stripped and ready to go on this)
- Joker 200 HMI with Chimera(great key and travels well)
- 2x DraCast 500 Bi-Color LED lights
- 4x lightweight light stands and grip/gobo head
- 3x baby drop ceiling adapter(I can fly a couple lights and my shotgun mic with these to keep things cleaner at ground level

All in all I'm able to bring everything mentioned above in two carryons and two checked bags(both at 50LBS). I've literally been around the world more than a few times with this exact kit and only have ran into issues once while coming back from Hawaii as a specific airline had a special battery policy that was different from the TSA's. In the end, it all worked out and they were able to make an exception.

 

[Nam Luong]

I just flew to new york last week with 6 155w in my carry on bag