DELL XPS 15 LAPTOP

I use it over a Macbook because it’s cheaper, has a 4K screen, and I could get a model with 32 gigabytes of RAM. I do a lot of previs myself, using Cinema 4D with Redshift, and this little guy can handle that, as well as Photoshop and Premiere!

PANASONIC GH5 (LARGE CAMERA)

I recently switched from being a Canon 5D user to mirrorless, and the GH5 is perfect for my needs. Here’s why:

• Silent shutter: This is a huge advantage on set. I can snap away while they are filming.

• Shoots amazing video: The fact that this camera can shoot 10-bit 4k 4:2:2 footage in V-Log is huge. I have actually shot B-unit VFX plates for production with this little guy. You can even pull a decent key off of a greenscreen.

• It has a cool mode called 6K photo capture that actually captures a 6K H.265 movie. I have a unique technique where I can pull stills from that video and use Agisoft PhotoScan to make a great photogrammetry 3D model. I can literally whip the camera around an actor’s head like a magic wand in 10 seconds to accomplish this.

• I use a 12-60mm F2.8 Panasonic lens as my main lens. The only drawback for me is that the camera has a smaller chip size, so it struggles a little more in low light compared to, say, the Sony a7S II. Shows always shoot in super low light these days, wide open. To compensate for this, I keep the superb Leica 12mm F1.4 lens in my kit. It’s small and not too heavy. You can also up the ISO to around 3200 before it breaks.

SONY RX100 V (POCKET CAMERA)

This is a little point-and-shoot camera that stays in my kit at all times. In fact, I use it more than my GH5. It can fit in a pocket, it shoots great 4K and stills, pretty decent low light functionality. I highly recommend this camera as a backup, or even a main for a light, non-plate heavy show.

RICOH THETA S

This has been a revolution in HDRI acquisition for me. Paired with the Simple HDR app on my iPhone, I can now take HDRIs with something half the size of a phone, quickly and efficiently. I can put it in unique places, and even just put it out there while the crew is working, if I am in survival mode, to get ‘something’ (which is better than nothing, right?). Gone are the days in network TV where the crew will stop to let you get that perfect HDRI.

MANFROTTO 5001B 74-INCH NANO STAND

By far one of my favorite pieces of gear, and it’s only 50 bucks! This is technically a light stand. It’s super light, and it folds up to be under two feet long and weighs practically nothing. Here’s the crazy thing; most of the time, I only bring this, I do not bring a tripod. Coupled with a small Giottos ballhead mount, this thing holds my GH5 if I need to do a lock-off shot. I mainly use it for my Ricoh Theta and HDRI captures. It’s better than a tripod because the legs are low profile. I also pair it with my refractive laser. Most recently, on Timeless, I taped a 13-foot pole to the stand and used it as a height guideline for adding a CG timeship. This stand also raises very high, higher than 6 feet, which is great for HDRIs.

GREEN LASER GRID PEN WITH REFRACTIVE GLASS

At Ghoststop.com you can get a laser pointer that shoots an array of green dots. Often, when we are doing interior greenscreen, instead of slathering the screen with trackers, I set this laser up, off to the side, on my Manfrotto stand, and point it at the screen. I can art direct where I want the trackers to be, mostly avoiding them straddling hair. It’s just faster. Bring batteries though, this thing eats ‘em up!

X-RITE COLORCHECKER PASSPORT PHOTO

This is a small color chip chart. I don’t use it too much. Some companies like chip charts in their HDRIs, so I will toss this down near my Theta when I shoot HDRI images.

GREEN AND BLUE GAFFERS TAPE

I usually only keep one or the other in my bag, depending on what the day has in store. But gaffers tape is always a must for trackers and other tape needs.

BOSCH GLM 50 LASER MEASURE METER

This is a cheap little distance meter. I used to have a nice Hilti that broke. Honestly, I’m not the biggest distance meter fan; they are somewhat unreliable and struggle in filming conditions.

PING PONG BALLS AND VELCRO

I wrap ping pong balls in green gaffers tape and affix velcro to them in a plus formation. This creates trackers that I can toss up high and will stick on most green or bluescreens. You can also play fun bar games with the rigging grip crew.

LED TRACKERS

I rarely use these, but they come in handy in a pinch. For these just type in ‘LED White Party Lights’ in Amazon. You’ll find little small LED lights with silver bases that cost around 10 bucks for a bag. They work great.

PATAGONIA MICRO PUFF JACKET WITH HOOD

This is the smallest, warmest jacket I could find. It stuffs itself into a pillow. It’s so important to bring layers and never find yourself freezing.

ANKER POWERCORE FUSION 5000 2-IN-1 PORTABLE CHARGER AND AN IPHONE CABLE

My favorite little battery pack. It’s small, light, and actually has a power plug on it, so you can plug it in and use it like a regular charging plug for an iPhone or iPad, or you can get about three battery charges for one iPhone off of it.

LACIE RUGGED USB-C DRIVE, 2TB

For every season of a show I do, I get at least one Rugged drive to house all of my photos, video, etc – anything that’s too big to toss on Box. Make sure to back stuff up!

BAG TIPS

My bag is an ever-changing thing. I’m obsessed with bags and want the smallest, most comfortable and convenient bag there is. As such, I have used the Peak Every Day Messenger (it was OK), the Peak Every Day backpack (hated it), and, most recently, the Manfrotto MB MS-BP-IGR medium backpack for DSLR camera and personal gear. This is a small hybrid bag that lets me pack some camera gear, laptop, a jacket, and house my Manfrotto stand on the side. It’s not perfect, but I like its small size and how comfortable it is. If I need to bring my GH5 I use the Incase DSLR Pro Pack, which is just OK. If I am traveling, I have a Think Tank Airport AirStream. It’s a roller backpack, nice quality, small, and lets me bring my gear as a carry on. The perfect bag is still not out there for me!

KEEP THESE IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR

In addition to what I carry on me, my nomadic lifestyle has taught me to keep the following in the trunk of my car at all times. First, a folding chair – get a nice one. Nothing makes life better on set than a good chair. I have a rocking one, it’s better than any director’s chair out there. Buy shell pants and a shell jacket for getting caught in the rain or for freezing-cold days on set. Bring strong weatherproof boots, which are also good for the rough terrain and cold days. Smart wool socks: a must. Finally, have sunscreen, toiletries, water, and a big heavy jacket at the ready. As you can tell I have shot in a lot of cold weather places!