My travel video setup 2023: On-the-go Video Production Gear

[@ajaydhar3052]

Thanks!

[@scottmckenna]

Super kind of you. really appreciate that.

[@ChristianVedder]

I have the same travel system only I have SKB/ThinkTank hard cases all with TSA locks. And, just the couple times that I have been pressed to check my case is when the flight I was on ran out of overhead space. So when this happens (and i first did this when I was in the military... I was a Navy photographer) so due to sensitive files and equipment I insist that I only will check my camera equipment at the gate, so I can visibly see the baggage crew put my case on the plane. Usually, flight attendants hand it to a baggage crew member right as I am boarding the plane, and they walk right over and put my case on the plane. Peace of mind if you are ever forced to check your carry-on camera case.

[@bencorwin]

Great stuff Scott! Thanks!

[@southcoastpix9678]

Neat setup, it really shows your music background and the value you place in sound. 4 diff mics, 1 light (tiny), 0 diffusion/ scrim, 0 NDS, no Mattbox and no effects filter eg promist. Personally I can’t leave the NDs (variable if I’m super tight in space) out, and the lastolite halo reflector is a close second. Keep up the good work Scott.

[@scottmckenna]

It all depends the type of content you’re producing as well. Audio needs to be very good for me and most of the content that I film while traveling is not the type of content that I’m setting up lights for ever. That’s why I don’t need to travel with much.

[@intheblues]

Fun video Scott. Cheers!

[@joshbonzheim5119]

Just a recommendation, I notice your tascams you have the lav clip on the wires itself. I have found over years of use that when you clip those powerful pins against the wires, it may fray and irritate the wire, causing you to have issues/replace those mics. That could possibly be the issue you ran into and I had to learn this the hard way! Enjoyed the video.

[@scottmckenna]

I don’t clip it on the actual wire. I loop it around and the slack is looped inside the clip so it’s not actually clipping on the cable at all.

[@RaldasDetails]

Great man!

[@Plant_Based_Riffs]

biggest take away for me was the fact that the rode wireless go also records internally. That’s news to me! I’m interested in that product now. Instant backup is sexy. lol

[@scottmckenna]

Yes, the built in recording is a really cool little option for sure. Watch my whole video on the units.

[@stevenrichardma]

Hey I just got a Pelican 1510 for my business!! I love that case!

[@scottmckenna]

Yes, it’s a great little case for sure.

[@hotlineoperator]

Very nice setup. I'll keep one body in backpack and take that inside the plane. If more gears is needed they can go airplane cargo storage (but usually travel with car in that case).

[@scottmckenna]

We take this entire rig on the plane. We never check it down below.

[@cfwproductions]

sweet!!!

[@robertfuste]

Very helpful content, as always... thank you, Scott! One follow-up question: how do you travel when your work does require lighting? You touched lightly on lighting, stating you mostly use natural light for your client work when traveling. How much of your client work fits that paradigm? And how do you handle situations that require artificial lighting, such as bad weather outdoors during daytime, or indoor situations that either don't have window lighting, or the schedule requires night-time shooting? Would love to see a follow-up video on this!

[@scottmckenna]

I would say that 95% of the work that I travel for doesn’t require that type of lighting simply because the type of content we film. If I knew that serious lighting was necessary; I would absolutely bring it with me or ship something there.

[@robertfuste]

@@scottmckenna Yes - and what I’m curious about, given your track record of practicality, is how you do your traveling with those heavier lighting needs. Since that requires check-in luggage, do you place all lighting gear in the checked bag, or do you try and divide things, with some of the lights and modifiers in a carry-on? Not all client locations are in bigger cities where one can rent equipment, in case the checked luggage doesn’t make it… but it’s also tricky to pack all “vital” equipment into a carry-on (or two, if traveling with someone). Thanks for any tips you’ve learned along the way!

[@optimumfilms]

Wow! The natural light thing has me thrown. How do you make that work? I spend $150 per fligt with 2 cases to bring 300d and 120ds with stands everywhere.

[@scottmckenna]

All depends on the type of content you’re filming of course. Natural light wouldn’t work for all people. The type of stuff that I film when I travel can be achieved with natural light most times. I know that’s not the case for everyone.

[@TommyGunsDunleavy]

Question... Is it worth shooting f4 for the OSS? or... more worth it if I shoot f2.8 or lower for better Image quality and low light performance? A7IV wedding videographer

[@orcapodmedia]

I dunno, man. I think I like this channel a lot.

[@scottmckenna]

Hey thanks.

[@robertskinner3148]

Hi Scott. Thanks for this video! How do you use the rode mic if you don't clip them to the talent/bride? Do you clip to a nearby object? I have a bride reading a love letter from the groom this weekend. Should I use rode video micro on camera, or wireless go clipped nearby? Thanks Rob

[@scottmckenna]

I plug a lav into the rode mic. That’s how I use.

[@filmsbytrav_]

Hey Scott, I love my Pelican 1535 (pretty much the same as 1510 I believe). Just wondering about the use of the FX3’s with no top handle or cage in terms of stability. Are you literally just going handheld with that tiny body and finding the footage is stable enough? And do you ever use the top handles, or are they redundant in your workflow. Thanks mate, appreciate it!

[@scottmckenna]

The handle doesn’t help me get stable footage. The handle simply gives me XLR inputs. I only ever put the handle on the FX3 if I need XLR inputs. Most times I just use the FX3 with a Rode Mic on top for every day shooting.

[@samlesantejr4560]

Sorry if you've covered this in previous videos but can you tell me if you need a drone license when you use your mavic mini 2?

[@scottmckenna]

You need a part 107 license if you’re doing any work for money.

[@ZachBrownMedia]

If you're in ATL again and need a second shooter, I'd be down to help!

[@scottmckenna]

Thanks for the offer. It’s impossible for me to keep track of who lives where. The best thing to do is follow me on Instagram or Twitter. Any time I’m traveling to a city and need some help, I post info on there the day of or the day before. It’s impossible for me to keep track of where everyone lives.

[@ZachBrownMedia]

@Scott McKenna For sure! I'll be keeping an eye out on IG 👍👍

[@genxtechguy]

Great tips. Is the Picomic better than the Rode Go? They’re essentially the same sort of thing … aren’t they?

[@scottmckenna]

Same thing when it comes to the fact that they are both microphones that can clip on to people and you can put a Lav into them as well. Much different in the manner that the design of the picomic is tiny and less visible when clipping on someone to talk therefore it’s more usable in that manner. But the rodego is the better buy because it has built in recording if the wireless connection isn’t strong, and it sounds better

[@seamusstout5991]

What brand is the led light you carry?

[@scottmckenna]

TorchLED