Feb 4, 2020
Filming on location? Find out what Hollywood filmmakers can’t live without. Producer Phil Cooke https://philcooke.comshares his essential list and what other directors and producers (including X-Men producer Ralph Winter) keep in their location film kit.
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More about this episode: 3 Things You Need When Filming on Location
Over the years, I’ve produced and directed programming on location in more than 60 countries around the world. For producers, directors and any film crew that spends lots of time on a film or video set – particularly in far away places – there are certain things you just don’t leave behind. Filmmaking novices could do well to learn what more experienced filmmakers consider “must have” items during a shoot.
For me? The top 3 would probably be my laptop (I’m always writing), a raincoat, and a great bag. In fact, I’m a little obsessive about bags and have way more than I should. But on location, a bag is my office, so I’m not afraid to spend money for one that does what I need. So I asked some other experienced professionals what were the top 3 absolutely “must have” items they take to every location.
Here’s a few answers:
From Stu Hazeldine,
Director of the upcoming feature film “The
Shack:”
Script in a leather
binder.
Director’s Viewfinder.
Blundstone boots.
From Lisa Swain,
formerly Production Coordinator on films like “Big Fish,” “Anger
Management,” and “Face/Off” and now Associate Professor of Cinema
at Biola University:
Sharpie.
Swiss Army pocket knife.
Chapstick.
From Korey Pollard,
Assistant Director of “House,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Nashville,”
“CSI,” and “Monk:”
Charlie Peacock’s West Coast Diaries.
My Bible.
AA meeting list.
And when I asked Ralph
Winter, Producer of films like “X-Men,”
“Wolverine,” “Planet of the Apes,” “The Promise,” and “Altered
Carbon” from Netflix, he couldn’t stick to 3 items, but since
he produces $100 million plus movies in all kind of
challenging conditions, I let him
explain:
From years of traveling, I build several “go” bags, that are always
ready. Probably too much to explain here. But for instance:
Snow bag: heavy gear, sweat shirts, sweaters,
hats, gloves, boots, various levels of socks, scarves, etc. Hockey
size bag, good to –20 degrees. Ready for Fedx with manifest to any
country.
Computer gear: backup laptop updated exact
copy of working laptop; backup drives (3); various cables, power
supply for apartment, office, trailer; Apple TV; older but spare
Apple Extreme for use in apartment; Blu-ray NTSC drive with USB for
laptop (otherwise a problem in countries like Spain, which are
PAL); computer repair tools (several packets).
Phone gear: separate iPhone 6+ for local sim
card (everything else syncs with iCloud and iTunes); phone repair
tools and various covers.
Passport, Global Entry, Nexus cards; local
currency which I have built up over the years; never know when you
need cash for taxi, or a favor.
Reduce wallet size: I take only specific
credits cards that I will use on location, leaving others at home
so they don’t get lost. Cards in my wallet I make of and keep
copy in office and home, in case of loss.
Always carry a pocket knife (good site for
this is www.everydaycarry.com ) but this is in packed luggage of
course, along with cigar lighter, cutter, etc. – Ralph Winter
Everyone’s list is worth considering. What are the 3
things you can’t live without on a shoot?
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Other Great Resources:
Ralph Winter’s suggested website: https://everydaycarry.com
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