34 Pre-location equipment check

To simplify the chore of gathering together all the equipment you need before a shoot, you should prepare an itemized checklist of tasks and equipment (preferably at least a day beforehand) whilst referring to the requirements listed on the call sheet. On the shooting day itself, always allow time to reassure yourself that your equipment is functioning as it should before leaving your base, especially if it is drawn from a pool of equipment used by others. Equipment supplied by a third party (for example, a client or hire facility) for the shoot should be itemized on a separate list, and should always be checked before you set off for location.

Sound-wise, if you do nothing else, ensure that before you leave base:

The on-camera mic is working and providing sufficient level.

You can monitor its output on both headphones and the LCD meter display.

There is no interference/noise on either channel.

You are able to record and replay ‘clean’ sound on both tracks satisfactorily.

You should also refer to the check lists below for single person operation and sound recordist operation.

Test tape

To ensure that the camcorder is fully functional, have a test tape prepared which has both sound and pictures recorded under controlled conditions to use as a reference. Before you leave base, insert the tape in the camcorder, and compare the camera output to the pictures off tape on a broadcast quality monitor (I suggest that amongst the test video signals on the tape you use a known quantity such as a good quality colour photographic print which you also place in front of the camera – do the outputs match?).

The tape should have a minimum of one minute of bars and tone to check the meter line-up, plus sound recorded in a known acoustic environment (if you can manage to acquire clean studio sound, it is an excellent reference source). Listen carefully to the sound output on both a loudspeaker and via the camcorder monitoring circuit on headphones, and ensure that they both sound ‘clean’, i.e. no appreciable noise or interference is present on either. I'd also advise you to take the test tape with you on location, in case you find it necessary to re-affirm the camcorder's performance.

Equipment list

Remember to take your itemized equipment list/s with you (arranged so that the contents of each case or bag can be clearly seen at a glance). It not only means that you can check whether you have all you need before you depart, but also simplifies the task of undertaking a ‘wally’ check before you leave each location (that's scampering around everywhere you've been shooting to make sure you haven't accidentally left anything lying around).

Having a preferred method of arranging your equipment whilst loading and packing your vehicle also helps you to verify that all has been safely and securely stowed.

Single person operation

Check:

Are all your batteries charged and individually labelled?¹

Do you have sufficient fresh tape stock?

Is there any visible sign of damage to the equipment?

Does the test tape sound (and look) all right?

Do your headphones work, do you carry a working spare?

Have you set the correct monitoring level?

Does each mic work (including the on-camera mic), do they have windshields?

Can you access each channel/track?

Are the sound levels correct?

Are all your cables/connectors working (give each a good waggle when plugged-in)?

Is the camcorder recording and replaying satisfactorily (plus all the other vision checks: viewfinder, lens, exposure, colour balance, etc.)?

Is the timecode properly set?

Is your kit bag packed (refer to Equipment list)?

Sound recordist operation

Any and all of the above checks that apply, plus:

Is your mixer fully functional?

Is the metering accurate?

Do you have sufficient means to power it for the duration of your shoot?

Do you have all the mics you need, does each sound OK?

Radio mics, have you the correct frequencies, does each work at a reasonable distance, have you sufficient spare dry cells?

Audio cassette recorder and cassettes.

Earpieces and wipes.

Other ancillary equipment specific to the shoot.

¹ In order to cycle through re-chargeable batteries efficiently and, therefore, ensure each is used as regularly as the others, it is advantageous to label/identify each one. This additionally assists you should one prove problematic on location, since batteries are one item that get bundled willy-nilly into a kit bag during the wrap, and sorting out a faulty item from amongst the rest at base is difficult without an easy means of identification. You should also have a system to indicate whether batteries are charged or uncharged (if there is no indicator built into the battery).