Filmmaking is mostly a creative thing but at the end of the day, it can also become quite demanding in terms of organizing things and keeping things under control and many times a simple mistake such as forgetting an extra set of batteries or an extension chord will cost you so much time that should go into getting your shots right, that you’ll have a bad result not because you’re not a good film maker creatively but you simply forgot something.
In this section I’m trying to maintain checklists from my limited personal experience that others can use as a starting point or as inspiration to complete their own lists.
Pre-Shooting-Day Checklist
| Power | |
| All batteries charged 100% | How many hours of battery life do you need for that day + some spare power? Is it certain that you will not have to end your production day because you have run out of power |
| Power outlets | Have you checked the power outlets at your filming location and made sure they work? |
| Extension chords/Powerstrips | Where are the power outlets at your filming location and where do you need what equipment? What will you use at the same time? |
| Tools & Improvisation Material | |
| Leatherman (or similar) | If you have to improvise (I bet you will), knife, pliers, scissors or a screwdriver can become invaluable and such a tool doesn’t take up much space and typically covers almost all of your tool needs. |
| Gaffer tape (lots of it) | Doesn’t need much explaining. You can McGyver yourself out of many unexpected situations using this, be it for getting chords out of the way, lighting, special effects, simply marking positions on the ground or even attaching microphones and cameras somewhere. |
| Cardboard | Mostly for lighting (getting rid of light in unwanted places) but sometimes even handy for building stuff like improvised body protection for action scenes together with some gaffer tape and a leatherman. |
| Paper towels (lots) | Wipe away fake blood, clean up equipment, use as an improvised plate, excellent diffusor for lighting etc.. |
| Cleaning cloth | Wipe away fake blood, clean up equipment, wrap around feet/shoes of crew members when recording sound. |
| Microfibre cleaning cloth | Clean lenses, displays and other electronic equipment. |
To be continued …
