Preparing for a holiday filming

Spring has drifted in and we may be thinking of holidays. It is the time when I start to think of checking the Video equipment. “Is it still working?” I ask myself. Well, I did use it to do some titles a couple of months ago, but not out on field work! Or like many of us, perhaps you use your Camcorder continuously throughout the year. There are some who do, but some of you may keep it hidden away and just forget about it till the weather becomes sunny.

Must remember to actually scrutinise my check list now that my first holiday. this year looms near. My list is not all that long, and I have always thought I would never forget anything to do with cameras. But once I even forgot to pack my tripod. How embarrassing! That’s why it’s a good idea to have a little
 

list in case you forget some vital piece of equipment or a lead, or battery or ...

I expect most people will have a check list to go through before they go off with their equipment. But I thought I would show you my latest CHECK LISTS.

Main Holiday List
• CAMCORDER
• FULLY CHARGED BATTERIES
• Tapes
• CHARGER/MAINS UNIT
(+ extension lead)
• TRIPOD
(Plus spreader if necessary)
• REMOTE CONTROL
• CAMERA RAIN COVER
• VIDEO LIGHT
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Special Production List
• LIGHTING + LEADS
• EXTRA MICROPHONE
• LAPEL MIC (Plus LEAD or RADIO!)
• REFLECTORS
• NOTE BOOK + PEN or PENCIL
• STILL CAMERA
To round off, I hope you will forgive me for stating the obvious when making your Holiday Video.
This will help with the editing. Remember you can always use aut-aways to cut out wobbles!

Four Simple Rules
1. Concentrate on a main subject.
2. Take long shots, but you can’t have too many CUs & BCUs.
3. Capture complete sound, especially if it is a band playing.
4. Allow run in before and at the end of any action.

Good Shooting!