Be Prepared!!! Filming abroad in unfamiliar places and sometimes un-safe areas can throw up problems you wouldn’t even have thought about.
Pre-Production
Find out from your client exactly where you will be filming and think about all the different scenarios that are likely to arise.
Are you going to be filming in a refugee camp, with hundreds of people about?
If you are going to a war zone or hostile environment, will you have a limited amount of time on the ground?
Are you going to a country that requires a carnet?
Prepare your kit. Pack as lightly as possible to avoid excess baggage charges. Think about which camera to take with you, whilst SLR’s are great at being more discreet, you don’t want to miss the action whilst changing a lens.
Don’t forget your screwdrivers and gaffer tape….. if you have a problem with your camera on location they will become your best friend!
Humid locations can be troublesome, so allow time for you camera to acclimatise and make sure before changing a lens it is fully acclimatised, otherwise it may cause condensation.
Pack plenty of plug adapters and a couple of hard drives to pack the rushes up daily. If possible back the rushes up on 2 separate hard drives.
Don’t forget to prepare yourself too, if you are shooting in remote locations pack cereal bars and boiled sweets to keep you going throughout the day.
And don’t forget the mosquito spray and anti bacterial gel!
Production
When shooting on location be aware of the local customs and traditions. Is it polite to shake your contributors hand? Do you need to remove hats and shoes when entering local homes?
Another important factor when filming in different countries, is to film any translations on camera beside the local language, this will really help you when it comes to post production.
When you are in a new place for the first time it is tempting to film everything you see. Experience teaches you what to film, just remember your editor will have to go through all the footage when the rushes are returned. They will not thank you if you come back with 20 cards of footage for a 2 minuete video….
Filming in war zones and places of plight can be very challenging, but also extremely rewarding. Be prepared, be aware, be sensitive, but don’t forget to enjoy the experience, it is a great opportunity and beyond all a privilege.
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