Batteries and Tapes

Here are some quick tips on how to prepare your batteries and tapes, if applicable.

Batteries

• Have your equipment and batteries charged-up and ready at all times.
• Try to carry at least one fully powered spare battery and a charger if you have one.
• And, if traveling abroad to film, ensure you have the necessary plug connector for any chargers.

Tapes

• Carry as many tapes as you can.  There is nothing worse than running out of tapes in the middle of an important shoot.
• Try not to use the first and last minute on a DV tape.
• Be careful to avoid ‘time code breaks’ in your footage, and worse, taping over your material.  This is easily avoided if you resist the temptation to watch your footage back while in the field.
• As soon as you have filled a videotape (or other storage medium), label it clearly but briefly with what footage is on it, and also note the date.  See Label and Log Your Footage to learn more – and save yourself time!
• Keep your tapes safe, dry, cool, away from magnetic sources and out of direct sunlight.
• When you have a chance consider making backup copies of your tapes or discs – clearly labeled – and keeping them in a different location for security in case anything happens to the originals.
• Keep all your video equipment in a strong, padded and waterproof bag.  Keep recorded tapes separately in case the camera is stolen – thieves are not interested in your material, but you are… and unlike a camera, your footage is irreplaceable.

What Next? Mobile Phones