Any hints, piece of equipment that makes your SPC life easier

[Steven Digges]

+1 for John!

Not all tips pan out. This week I found tomato worms in my gear bag! I wrapped 10 feet of gaff tape tape around them and they worked great. Until my dog walked by and peed on my bag. I could not get it open to clean it because I zip tied the zippers closed and my leatherman tool was inside the bag. Then when I got to the airport a bunch of dogs went crazy at security. I don't know why? All they found was some old film canisters with more gaff tape around them. I said, "hey, the only thing I grow is tomatoes, just look at the other gaff tape roll."

Steve

[Charles Newcomb]

I don't think you're really Steven. I think you're Si from Duck Dynasty.

[Dale Guthormsen]

godd evening,

how about a couple extra cameras ( even a simple point and shoot would help) on pods and stationary while you use a mobile camera, either on steady cam, pod on wheels, or shoulder brace.

[Charles Dasher]

For travel the one piece of luggage that has made my life as a SPC is the Porter Case. It's a carry on hard case that doubles as a hand truck!

Porter Case - /main/product_info.php?products_id=73

This is my typical load!

Two rolling duffles 50 lbs each and a laptop bag with 17 MBP and drives. My EX1R and/or DLSR set ups fit inside the Porter Case for carry on and sit safely inside with check bags on top. I do 8-10 SPC gigs internationally and several more trips domesctically.

Having a hard case that doubles as a hand truck has been the best investment I have ever made as far as cases go!

[Al Bergstein]

Great. I do many of these. My adds are that I have found that a single lightpanels with battery makes a huge difference both in simplicity and quality in outside interviews and reduces carrying a lot of power cables. And yes, an assistant that knows what to do and doesn't ask questions or bug the client, or give them their business cards, is worth their pay.

Oh, my van makes life much easier.

[Steven Digges]

Hey Charles,

I have had my eye on a porter case for years. I never got one because I figured it was a gimmick that would not hold up to hard use. It looks like your doing it! Have you broken a retractable handle yet?

Steve

[Phillip Palacios]

Battery powered led. In my case a litepanels mini.
It fits so many uses that it never leaves my camera bag (except to recharge)

[Charles Dasher]

Hi Steve

I have never had a mechanical problem with my Porter Case. I remember as a production assistant seeing a friends PC and years later i found them and purchsed one. I have never expereinced a problem with 3+ years of use. The only thing with my model is I have almost missed latched the case after going through security and almost dumped my gear. Since then I always double check before lifting. I guess the only other down side for air travel can be the weight. Empty it's around 8 lbs. There are a few airlines (Emirates JFK) which will weigh your carry on.

I can not tell how much it has paid off as a hand truck.

[Steven Digges]

Thanks for the info Charles. Good to know.

Steve