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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Shooting Red 4K in the middle of nowhere

Good advise Peter. Looks like you have been in this situation before. I can add that when possible, take two of essential items (as backup). On a trip to film in Algeria (the Tassili plateau), the fact that we took 2 generators with us saved our shoot. One of the generators lost all the oil when it was loaded upside down on the donkey. No one thought about taking spare oil! But at least we had a spare generator.

Bruno
 
I have filmed three docos that ended up on NGC (and earning me my membership) - all in a very remote locations. Plus I have lived 3.5 years in India, during which we have filmed massive (Indian style) feature ranging locations from South India through studios and locations in New Delhi all the way up to Gulmarg in Himalayas. I have also co-produced and tech-supervised first-ever digitally shot feature in India using Panny's Varicam. I got screwed (excuse my french) by the other producer and lost almost everything - but it was life-changing experience never the less. As they say "If You can drive in New Delhi - You can drive anywhere in the world" I would also add "If You can film in India - You can film anywhere in the world". The conditions are challenging needless to say, but one can end up with breath-taking motion pictures.

Don't forget one more thing: Patience, patience and some more patience...
 
First RED shot of India

First RED shot of India

This is the first RED shot ever in India...
 
I guess you know Bombay... :)
 
I put four leisure batteries into my van (wired in parrallel) and then got a 90w split charge fitted, which charged the batteries while the engine was on, but only once the vehicles main battery was charged. You can get a split charger that does the same, but for fewer batteries (cheap)

Some tips: (can`t read whole thread, hope not a repeat)

-If you get an inverter only get one rated as close to your power consumptions ie, If you`re running a laptop, only get a 75w inverter, so as not to waste power. When equipment is first turned on (ie, a TV), they can draw 5 to 10x their usual power requirements, but this ok (inverters are built with this in mind), so base this decision on what devices you need to run. Also, you`re better buying a DC adapter for your laptop, so you can plug it directly onto a battery (much more efficient than using an inverter). Try and get similar connectors for as many items as you have to avoid the inverter.
- Also, make sure its a pure sine wave inverter (get a slightly more expensive one is my advice, metal casing rather than plastic), which is better for running electronics and better for your engine when plugged in your cigarette lighter (but read below)
- I would never plug an inverter into a cigarette lighter without checking you`re vehicles wiring (but even then, I personally wouldn`t). I`ve never had a vehicle that can sustain 75w of power without blowing fuses, and eventually burning out wires. 12v wiring in most vehicles just can`t handle such power draws. Even my car phone charger has given me grief if left plugged in for a while, in multiple vehicles.
- Always take several sets (or more), spare fuses for you`re vehicle if you need to plug an inverter into a cig lighter. Always take spare fuses for you`re inverter.
- Remember the juice from an inverter can kill you, so don`t let rain land on it obviously etc
- You could get 58w of charge from 2x solar suitcases (400 sterling), and save on fossil fuel
- Solar panels come in two flavours, poly crystalline and mono crystalline, the second is better and more expensive.
- Solar panels work all year around, they don`t require sun (although thats ok), only daylight (photons are available on cloudy days too)

If you can`t take batteries on a plane, just buy some batteries (preferably 2, rated 80w/hours or above) when you arrive at destination (or car batteries if nothing better available, but get three). You`ll need a wheel barrow or something with wheels to carry two or more batteries any distance on foot though.
 
Yes... 2 more pics!
 
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