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A Few Simple Rules

Jul 1, 2004 12:00 PM, By Bill Miller

Grab a pen or pencil and write down these useful tips—they can help you avoid disasters during a shoot

The readers of Video Systems are the best. They are always sending me great ideas for my column.

This week I received a list of simple rules from Bruce Wittman of Eagle Video Productions of Raleigh, N.C. As I read them, I realized that while these are procedures that should be obvious, many times they go unfollowed. So with his permission, I'm passing them along to you. My comments are in parenthesis.

1. A camera can't fall off the floor.

   Always place a camera on the floor where it cannot fall over, get stepped on, or tripped over. Do not place your camera on a chair, table, or counter. One day it will be knocked to the ground. Many an unattended camera has been knocked off its tripod with disastrous results. (Been there. I've also had tripod legs collapse, sending the camera crashing to the floor. Check to make sure tripod legs are tightened before walking away.)

2. Never set equipment behind a vehicle.

   If you leave equipment behind your van, there is an even chance that one day you will run over your gear. Always load and unload to the side of your vehicle. When you drive away, you will notice in your rearview mirror your gear looking nice and safe on the side of the road. (I have known camera folks who have left their cameras by the side of the road and returned two hours later to find them still there. But they are the lucky ones.)

3. If you monitor your audio, you will always have it.

   Obviously, if audio is important to you, you should always monitor your feed from headsets. The one time that you assume your audio is good and don't monitor it is the time that the ground wire in your audio cable will go bad, and you will return to the studio with a great big buzz on your audio tracks or nothing at all. (Also, play back tapes and listen to them before you call the wrap.)

4. If you don't bring it, you will need it.

   Make it a habit to always bring the minimum equipment needed to complete any assignment. A good example of good intentions gone awry: You decide not to bring a backup light kit to shoot an exterior interview. You think flex-fill will cover any assignment. Then the rain begins to pour and the producer decides to shoot his most important interview inside in his office. Oops! (And don't forget the tape stock. This seems obvious, but sometimes the tape doesn't end up on the truck.)

5. Use the cost factor when packing and unpacking.

   Always take out the most expensive gear last, usually the camcorder, and put it back in your vehicle first. That way you minimize your expensive gear's exposure to the elements. (Be careful not to leave your van unattended, even for a minute. Thieves are quick. I once walked into my office, put a camera down, turned my back, and in a second it was gone. Also, make a list of equipment and cases and check it off as you pack, both before leaving for the job and when leaving the location.)

6. Use extra long cables.

   If you use an extra long video cable from your camera to your color monitor, there is less of a chance that someone will trip over it and jerk your camera and tripod to the ground. Ouch! Use the same idea when plugging in your lights. If you have to stretch your A/C cable from your light head to the receptacle, it is time to break out your stingers (extension cords). It always costs less in time and money to use an extension cord than to replace a light bulb or light head. Think safety!

Thanks, Bruce. I know you've tweaked my brain, and I know my readers will be grateful the next time they start to put their camera on a wobbly chair.

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