Travelling can be a very stressful experience, especially when you have to look after your video production equipment. The following article will guide you through the essentials of travelling with your equipment, from early travel preparation to keeping your footage safe on the return journey home:
1. Make A Check List
Just like on set you’ll need to keep track of your equipment at all times when you’re travelling. Before you start packing everything away into bags and cases create a checklist of your equipment. Don’t just list equipment and how much you have, make a note of every serial number, make/model and write a detailed description of every piece of equipment. This list will become the most important thing in the world should you lose any equipment during your travels. Make several copies of this list as well, just to be safe.
2. Keep Your Equipment Safe
Protecting your equipment is essential when taking any sort of trip. Once you check in your luggage you have no idea how any of your equipment will get handled. Wrap everything safely in bubble wrap or use the clothes and materials you are taking as protective covers. Be sure to also put a ‘Fragile’ sticker on all valuable and delicate equipment. This will help to ensure careful handling of your equipment.
3. Tag Your Luggage
Tagging your luggage can be a good way of making sure no one walks off with your luggage by mistake. Place your name, phone number, address and destination details on every piece of your luggage. If your luggage does go missing this will help to identify it and allow for anyone to contact you at any stage of your journey should they come across it.
4. Take Your Valuables As Hand Luggage
Depending on the size of some of your valuable equipment it may not be possible to take it on board as hand luggage. If you can, avoid checking in cameras and microphones as much as possible. The last thing you want is for a camera or mic to go missing. Keep mics and cameras on you at all times as hand luggage to ensure they don’t get damaged or stolen during your journey.
5. Keep Your Tapes Close By
When you’re travelling to a filming destination the most important thing is your equipment. When you are travelling back from a filming destination the most important thing is your tapes. Never under any circumstances put your tapes in with your check-in luggage. Always keep them in your hand luggage or even on your persons at all times. If you lose those tapes you’re back to square one instantly. Make sure they are in your sight at all times and never leave them unattended.
Summary
Travelling with equipment can be stressful and at times unpredictable, but by following this guide you can relax knowing you’re equipment and video production is as safe as possible throughout every stage of your journey.
