shoot-equipment-list

Shoot Equipment List

What This Skill Does

Generates a complete, shoot-specific packing and equipment checklist organized by category, crew role, and travel constraints.

When To Use This Skill

• You are preparing for a field shoot and need a comprehensive equipment list to brief your crew or rental house
• You are a solo journalist or small crew with limited kit and need to prioritize what to bring
• You are hiring a local crew in an unfamiliar location and need to specify exactly what equipment to source
• You are submitting a production budget and need an itemized list to cost against

What You Need To Provide

Required:

• Type of shoot (documentary interview, news package, branded video, event coverage, etc.)
• Shooting environment (indoor studio, outdoor urban, remote wilderness, conflict zone, etc.)
• Crew size and roles (e.g., solo journalist, director + camera operator + sound, full broadcast crew)
• Approximate duration of shoot (half-day, multi-day, week-long)

Optional:

• Specific deliverable format (broadcast HD, cinema 4K, social vertical, etc.)
• Known technical requirements (live feed, underwater housing, low-light, aerial, etc.)
• Travel method and luggage restrictions (domestic flight, international flight, road vehicle, boat)
• Any equipment already confirmed available on location

How the Assistant Approaches This

1. Identifies the core technical requirements based on shoot type, environment, and deliverable format — what the job actually demands before any preferences are added
2. Builds the list by crew role, so each person can check their own responsibilities independently; flags items that are shared between roles
3. Applies travel constraints last — flags oversize, overweight, or restricted items and suggests alternatives where packaging or rental is preferable to shipping

Output Format

A structured checklist organized into clearly labeled sections: Camera & Lenses, Audio, Lighting, Power & Batteries, Support (tripods, rigs, cases), Data & Storage, Connectivity, Expendables, and Personal / Safety. Each item includes a quantity. Items requiring customs documentation, airline approval, or specialist handling are flagged with a note. Total estimated case count and approximate checked-luggage weight are included at the end. Plain language throughout — no model numbers unless specifically requested.

Quality Criteria

• Every item is specific (not "camera" but "main camera body + backup body")
• Quantities are realistic for crew size and shoot duration
• Travel restrictions are addressed if travel method was provided
• At least one "easy to forget" category is included (expendables, gaffer tape, adapters, etc.)
• List is immediately usable as a pre-shoot checklist without further research

Example

Input

Shoot type: Documentary interview and b-roll in a working factory — two interview setups and observational filming on the factory floor. Environment: Indoor, mixed artificial light, loud ambient noise. Crew: Director, camera operator, sound recordist. Duration: Two full days. Deliverable: Broadcast HD (1920x1080). Travel: Driving — no airline restrictions. Equipment available on location: None.

Output

Equipment List — Factory Documentary (2 Days)

Crew: Director / Camera Operator / Sound Recordist Format: Broadcast HD · Indoor industrial environment

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Camera & Lenses

• Main camera body × 1
• Backup camera body × 1 (for b-roll or emergency)
• Wide-angle lens (14–24mm equivalent) × 1
• Standard zoom lens (24–70mm equivalent) × 1
• Short telephoto lens (85–135mm equivalent) × 1 — for interview close-ups
• Lens cleaning kit (cloths, blower, fluid) × 1

Audio

• Boom microphone (supercardioid, suited to loud environments) × 1
• Lavalier microphone kit (transmitter + receiver) × 2 — for both interview subjects
• Backup lavalier kit × 1
• Audio mixer / field recorder (minimum 4-channel) × 1
• Headphones, closed-back (for monitoring in loud space) × 2
• XLR cables, 5m × 4
• Blimp / windshield for boom × 1
• Spare AA and AAA batteries × 40 — wireless systems consume heavily in industrial RF environments

Lighting

• LED panel, bi-colour, large (interview key light) × 2
• LED panel, bi-colour, small (interview fill / hair light) × 1
• Portable LED panel for b-roll / tight spaces × 2
• Light stands × 4
• Diffusion frames and frames × 2
• Extension cables, 10m × 3
• Multi-socket power board × 2
• Gels: CTO, CTB, neutral density (assorted pack) × 1

Power & Batteries

• Camera batteries × 8 (4 per body minimum for full shooting days)
• Camera battery charger × 2
• V-lock batteries for LED panels × 4
• V-lock charger × 1
• Portable power station (backup, for locations with limited outlets) × 1

Support

• Fluid-head tripod, heavy-duty × 1
• Lightweight tripod or travel tripod (b-roll) × 1
• Shoulder rig or cage for handheld b-roll × 1
• Monopod × 1 — useful in restricted floor space
• Sandbags × 4

Data & Storage

• Primary recording media (cards or drives for main camera) × 6
• Backup recording media × 4
• Laptop with editing software for dailies review × 1
• Portable SSD drives, 4TB × 2 — primary and backup copy
• Card reader (multi-format) × 1
• USB hub × 1

Expendables & Small Accessories

• Gaffer tape × 3 rolls
• Black wrap (aluminum foil tape for flagging lights) × 1 roll
• Camera rain cover × 2 — industrial environments often have moisture and dust
• Lens filters: ND kit × 1
• Magic arm and super clamp set × 1 (for rigging lights in tight spaces)
• Velcro cable ties × 1 pack
• Marker pens and labels for media × 1 pack
• Earplugs for crew (mandatory in loud factory) × 1 pack

Safety & Personal

• Hard hats × 3 — likely required on factory floor
• High-visibility vests × 3 — confirm requirements with location contact
• Safety footwear (steel-toe) — each crew member responsible for own
• First aid kit × 1
• Crew contact sheet and site emergency numbers, printed × 1

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Estimated case / bag count: 8–10 cases and bags Driving load: Fits comfortably in a large estate car or small van

Notes:

• Confirm power outlet types and amperage limits with location manager before arrival — industrial sites sometimes run 3-phase power requiring adaptors
• Industrial environments are high-risk for dust ingress on lenses and sensors; bring extra blowers and cloths
• Wireless audio may be unreliable near heavy machinery — have wired fallback ready

Known Limitations

• The assistant cannot verify exact equipment specifications or confirm compatibility between specific camera bodies and accessories — always have your camera operator review the list before rental
• Power requirements are estimated; actual outlet availability and amperage on location must be confirmed with the location manager
• Safety equipment requirements vary by country and industry — the list above is a general prompt, not a compliance checklist; always check local health and safety regulations

Related Skills

• location-brief-writer
• shoot-schedule-builder
• travel-logistics-brief