How to Make the Ultimate Filmmaker’s Tool Kit

[@filmbyron3107]

Tape on sharpies is a PRO TIP

[@LucForsyth]

It’s saved me so many times!

[@Blazing_Trails_Media]

Just watched this- new subscriber, old film guy here... Love your video, Luc, thank you! The tape on the sharpie is excellent. In my bag I have pretty much exactly the same things you do (LOVE Bongos, always have bongos!) I also have some extra things (I see others have mentioned some of these below too) like; headlamp for hands-free illumination, battery pack for charging a phone, a sharp folding knife (yes there is also a blade on the multi tool), an extra baby pin, a small adjustable crescent wrench for those stubborn nuts that your multi tool will strip, a power bar or clif bar for hunger, stuff for a headache, claritin, a couple of C47s, an SD/CF Card holder to keep them organized, ear plugs, my gloves clip, a few small neodymium magnets and a several feet of 1/8" black trick line... and then I'll pack other things depending on where I know I will be working; hot hands packs, bottle of water, baby powder, micro can of WD-40 or silicone spray, a poncho, and a hang glider if you are actually still reading my list. Keep making great videos! Cheers from Flagstaff!

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks Jon, glad to have you! Great tips as well - I usually have a headlamp too, forgot it!

[@golddragon51296]

Curiously, what do you use the magnets for?

[@blazingtrailsmedia]

@@golddragon51296 They come in handy all the time. Holding duvateen to something metal, or pinning two pieces together. I have a magnet permanently glued on the outside of my multi-tool. I use it to find lost metal objects… last week we were filming in the woods and one of my metal T spikes for an actor disappeared in the leaf litter. I grabbed my multi-tool with magnet side down and swung it back and forth over the leaves. Took a few swipes, then *clink*! Found it about two feet from where I though I had put it. You will find more ways to use magnets (which are silent compared to velcro) on set.

[@KeithDCarl]

I'd love to hear what you use magnets for as well! I most often use magnets to hold black disposable plastic table cloths that I use for black-out or negative fill. If you can wrap the plastic around something, you can use two magnets, instead of tape or a clamp, by pinching the plastic between them. This can also work for silks, of course. I have also taped magnets to tube lights or other small hardware to hang them to drop ceiling grids, metal door frames, etc. Be careful here! Do NOT hang anything over people like this!

[@danbrockettDOP]

I have your same pouch Luc! I dragged a CineBags CB25 backpack all over the world for more than a decade. Good gear! I used to carry a lot of these small things in the side packs of my Sachtler Dr. Bag camera bag but I sometimes don't bring it when I am operating a client's camera package and not my own camera package and then regret not having these with me so I transferred all of it to the AC pouch. Additions to think about that I carry in mine: 1. Business cards (not everyone is doing digital contacts via phones yet, especially amongst older DPs, Producers and Directors) 2. X-Rite Passport mini color/focus/black/white/gray card 3. Cheap Headlamp 4. Anker Lithium Battery for phone charging 5. iPhone Lightning and USB C charging cables for Androids (wanna make points with your talent/producer/DP/director? - have a spare charging cable and charge point for them) 6. Powerful but small Streamlight flashlight can be handy for where your headlamp may not reach 7. Ibuprofen and Aspirin 8. Chalk 9. Bandaids 10. Spare reading glasses if you need/use them 11. iFix It Mini driver kit 12. Small cheap tape measure 13. Thumbdrive 14. Superglue 15. Altoids Minis 16. Gum 17. Folded up tiny Trash Bag as emergency rain cover

[@christopherdeangelus8226]

Oh my God that lens wipe as facial wipe tip is amazing! It's one of the biggest issues I have with shooting man-on-the-street/run-and-gun interviews! This is a fantastic solution!

[@LucForsyth]

Right?! So good

[@rickymcc8624]

Great list. I'm a newbie trying to learn but I like to have a small notepad (A6 size) that I can make notes on, tear out and leave notes for others - adds value to pens and gaf/paper tape. I also have a pretty small rechargeable SmallRig light panel, used as a torch or can fill in for accent lighting eg gaffed inside light shade etc.

[@sergiomartinez5946]

I bought myself a combat military chest rig to carry all my tools. It's more expensive than a bag but can hold a lot and is also modular to suit your needs.

[@Iandontdothat]

wave is always humble

[@robertharker]

Silver sharpies are great for writing on dark objects.

[@CheapGeek]

Bongo ties are fun to make. I use different colored elastic paracord. It makes me cooler.

[@LucForsyth]

next level DIY!

[@scotey]

Great video as always. Right up there with Mark Bone as the best channel for rising documentarians.

[@LucForsyth]

High praise indeed! Thanks Scott

[@acalvillo35]

I do a lot of G&E work and I'd add a small headlamp to that list.

[@LucForsyth]

good call. I have the LED light because my headlamp is too bulky, but a really tiny headlamp would be better for sure

[@Christian-xj4vn]

Dude this is awesome! Literally putting mine together ASAP

[@TonyContiniProductions]

Skin is looking super matte, brotha

[@chrisw443]

I never have issues with gaff tape, but i do use stuff thats not the strongest, so that might be why. If you want a really funny story about gaff tape, about a decade ago I was producing / running a camera for a sports broadcast at a college. As things were getting set up I told a couple PA's that we needed to tape down our cable run in an area. We put a couple rugs over most of it. There was this 3 foot area that was gonna get taped and I was also told they'd have a MARCHING band going through here. So I say get it done and leave to get the camera built. Well I come back camera is built and faxed and everything is great, I walk back to the control room and on the way I check the PA's work. They triumphantly show me the worst gaff tape job I have seen in my life LOL. I was like, "this is not okay, do you need help to show you how to tape down these cables?" The guy is all like, no I got this! Okay, so I go and come back 15 minutes later and its about time the band is gonna come and by goly, they did it. "Wow how much tape did you use?" I ask. "All of it" he says. All? You had all five rolls we had, thats impossible. He said well I kept messing up so I just kept taping. LOL. The tape came right up but man I was annoyed. Oh and there was no marching band, they just came in and set up in a section of bleachers, and walked over the rugs. HA!

[@ScottAuch]

Many Dollar Stores sell a 4-pack of Superglue mini-tubes. Great for emergency one-time-use.

[@chandlerryd6750]

Superglue. I use it all the time. Also stick-on velcro strips.

[@LucForsyth]

great tip!

[@dustmote3020]

Just found your channel Luc, great stuff! My kit would also have side cutters, a headlamp, some granola bars and a bottle of water. Oh, and Advil Liqui-gels, extra strength.

[@LucForsyth]

Yes to all! I just keep mine in a different bag!

[@MikeEdwardsphotography]

Thanks for this Luc. Very practical pieces of kit for sure.

[@LucForsyth]

Always welcome mike!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Crushing it, Luc! Thanks for the tips!

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks Austin - you too!

[@savagejulian2]

Mr. Luc, thank you. You are a pro. Wish many more subscribers!!

[@LucForsyth]

Thank you!

[@thejessegrant]

Been loving your content man! I learn so much from your weekly vids thank you!

[@LucForsyth]

You’re welcome Jesse, very glad to hear it!

[@matt_berg_media]

I usually keep an extra camera battery and npf battery in mine also.

[@alayejon]

This was super helpful. Thanks for sharing

[@LucForsyth]

No worries! Good luck!

[@RachaelPadilla]

Thanks! Those were some great tips as you went through your equipment.

[@LucForsyth]

Glad to hear it! Hope it helps!

[@leoquesto9183]

Nice. BTW, I spotted a spine fragment of Bolaño’s Savage Detectives there. Nice.

[@LucForsyth]

Oh wow, good eye! Love that book, RIP Bolaño!

[@SirWilliamOlsen]

Thank you 😃

[@mychalsimmons4177]

I really liked this video

[@robertharker]

Would you get English or metric hex key set? Great video.

[@hbp_]

I don't like the regular 🚀 blowers because they tend to suck in from both ends. Even when working properly the normal ones don't have a particle filter on the rear end. For "not so much more" you can get a rocket blower with a rear end filter designed for cleaning camera sensors.

[@LucForsyth]

Great tip Olli - got a link?

[@r-baticle]

Funny how i have a very similar accessory list eventhough i only worked as an ac for only 1 year. Only differences are that i use the Jumbo AC pouch from setwear, velcro straps instead of bongo ties and a real, powerful flashlight for the night shots. PRO TIP : If you work with film i highly recommand to add tape mesure in your bag to check for focus because it always seems blurry in the viewfinder.

[@LucForsyth]

Good call - yeah if you're blocking out shots and pulling remote focus, the measuring tape would be key

[@kineticvillagemedia]

This is tech but I keep 20,000mAh powerbank in my kit along with a generic battery charger and a couple charging cables. It's will charge sony or canon batteries but small enough to not be too heavy. It will keep monitors, cameras, monitors and mic's running for an extra hour or so in a pinch and more often your the hero when you can charge the directors phone or ipad.

[@LucForsyth]

Yes! Battery banks are key, I definitely use them - just don't have space in the pouch for it!

[@Bo_Hazem]

For shiny faces I would suggest using CP filter and rotate it until you cut off like 90% of the shine. I've used it in some videos of mine for the talents and it really makes magic. You would lose around 0.5-1 stops of light though but it's well worth it.

[@LucForsyth]

Really good suggestion. Sometimes hard for indoor interviews, but definitely works!

[@Bo_Hazem]

@Luc Forsyth With FX3 it shouldn't be a problem.😉I use it with a7S III.

[@e.leewhite7907]

I’m looking for an electronic Slade clapper board. Which isn’t going to cost a $1000.00

[@theloganpresley]

Favorite pen?

[@ROBERTPOKONSKI]

home depot Headlight

[@LucForsyth]

💯

[@chrisgreenwood6750]

Do you carry both SAE and Metric Allen wrenches?

[@LucForsyth]

Just the one set - I think they're metric!

[@barryfinnimore]

Great video and advice. I need to put together a kit. I'm going to film outside more and need to be organised (not my strong suit).

[@LucForsyth]

Mine either - this will help!

[@MattLaubach]

Your lighting is too dark. Demonstrating product requires 2:1 lighting, not cinematic lighting. I can barely see your face. What stands out is the practical in the background. You need to take a lighting class.

[@foljs5858]

No duct tape? No plastic bags (as rain cover)? No gray card? No spare memory card and battery?

[@LucForsyth]

Not in the pouch, but in general yes!

[@DennyReichard]

Knock off all the jump cuts and your stuff would look far better.

[@epytaffskitchenstink]

Great video, I have most of that stuff already, going to get those Bongos and Rosco towelettes too. I do multi cam recording with Gopros so the other things I carry are Dog clickers, that way I can sync up the sound with my mic/zoom for the audio. Not at the pro level yet.