What to Take and What Not to Take. Tips and Tricks From the Pros.
On travel shoots across multiple countries, audio and video problems usually come from rushed prep rather than lack of gear, which is why location sound recording needs to be planned. Packing light is not just convenient, it’s essential. As pros in the production industry know, schlepping unnecessary gear around can slow you down and add stress to already hectic schedules. Having worked on multiple amazing races, cooking lifestyle show and several other adventure reality and travel lifestyle shoots, Mike knows travel and what to pack and what not to pack. Get all the tips from a location sound recordist Melbourne who travels all over the world on lifestyle, documentary and run and gun shoots. Why should you pack light? For one, you’ll likely be on the move a lot, hopping from one flight to hotel. One country to another. Streamlining what you bring can help you get through airports faster, avoid excess baggage fees, and navigate cities and locations more easily. Plus, the less gear you have to manage, the more focused you can be on capturing content. What to Pack
- Compact Equipment : Opt for versatile, multi-purpose gear. Bring a lightweight camera, such as a mirrorless model if you need one, and a couple of compact lenses that cover a wide range of focal lengths. Pack a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone. Many pros swear by these for travel shoots because of their flexibility and quality output.
- Audio Recording Gear: We run a portable sound kit consisting of a Sound Devices MixPre 6-II, a Lectrosonics DCR822 receiver and small BDS system. Of course, a couple of Wireless Lapel Mics are essentials. Keep it minimal but ensure it’s high end Audio Gear you can trust.
- Power Sources: Carry enough batteries, but don’t overdo it. Bring a power strip and adapters suited for each country’s outlets. Check the airlines battery policy too – some are strict and only allow 20 batteries and the last thing you need is to have them confiscated.
- Storage: Instead of multiple hard drives, consider high-capacity SSDs. They’re lighter, more durable, and perfect for storing footage safely while on the move.
What to Leave Behind
- Non-Essential Backups: You don’t have to pack doubles of everything. Trust the reliability of your chosen gear and stick to only essential backups (like mixers, memory cards).
- Extra Clothes: It’s tempting to overpack clothes, but you’ll thank yourself later for keeping it to the basics. Prioritise comfortable, versatile items and plan to do laundry while traveling.
Pro Tips
- Need a Laptop? Try an iPad mini with a bluetooth keyboard – it might be a tiny bit clunky but it makes moving through an airport a breeze and you can do 99% of what you need to do on it.
- Minimalism is Key: If you can live without it, leave it behind. The lighter your bag, the faster and more agile you’ll be during shoots.
In the end, less is more when it comes to packing for travel shoots. Stick to the essentials, and you’ll move faster and produce better results. This is the same workflow we use on location sound recording jobs that involve travel. For more tips from industry pros, visit Creative Kicks Media’s Instagram Page.
