Going Home for the Holidays? Simple Video Tools for Casual Travelers
Easy Video Solutions for Holiday Travel
It's that time of year again, when we see how many gifts we can cram into a suitcase while still making room for clothes and toiletries. If you're flying the friendly skies to visit family, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Don't forget some easy takealong video gear! Memories are best made with friends and family and who doesn't like to capture those moments in videos and photos?
And what if we're mixing a little work into our travel time? If that involves creating a video or two, we need more than just the ol' point and shoot of our camera phones. So, for those of us who like to bring a bit of equipment with us, here's my checklist of easy, lightweight travel video essentials.
Good things come in small packages, including travel video gear.
With the five basics elements of video production, you can make a professional-looking video just about anywhere.
The essential video gear checklist for travelers
As an on-camera and voice actor, I ALWAYS carry small and lightweight accessories with me. There is a truism that work appears whenever you're about to leave or already be on vacation ... or when you're otherwise busy out of town. Fortunately for actors, there's less FOMO now that most on-camera auditions - and even callbacks - are held remotely. And voice overs can be done anywhere, anytime, as long as you have a connection to the internet.
You have a lot more leeway when it comes to traveling by car, so for the purposes of this article, I'll focus on those video essentials you can easily port by plane or in a backpack.
Here's what you need
Camera - for most of us, that's our phone, which is already equipped with a high quality camera
Tripod - to keep that camera steady
Light(s) - your source can be ring lights, clip-on lights, lamps, or natural sunshine
Sound - your choice of a mic with stand or a lapel (lavalier) mic
Backdrop - a solid wall or a simple, attractive background
Optional: your laptop computer for editing, if that's your preference. And an extension cord, because it you don't, it's guaranteed that the nearest wall outlet is just out of reach of your devices' cords.
My equipment recommendations
It's hard to go wrong with the camera on your mobile device, whether it's an iPhone or Android phone, or a tablet. It's strictly a personal choice, but for discussion's sake, I use an iPhone 15 Pro and have been very happy with it.
For a tripod, I use an extendable phone tripod stand that folds up rather small to 11.5 inches and weighs 12.5 ounces. It's the 62" iFongsh Selfie Stick Tripod for Cell Phone and purchased via Amazon. If that's still too much baggage, you can prop your phone in ready-made holders like a solid square or rectangular cardboard box of tissues. Just pad those tissues around your phone to keep it steady, place it a height where the lens meets your eyes directly, and you're good to go.
Another way to lighten your travel load is to bypass the camera tripod altogether in favor of a standing ring light with an attached cell phone holder. I prefer to have a separate tripod so I'm not restricted to using the ring light in one position.
For lights, I pack a 10" ring light that has an extendible/collapsible stand. Bonus: most come with built in phone holders, too. For those times when it's just too much bulk or weight, I'll pack instead a clip-on 4.5 inch ring light and attach it to the top of my phone or (for more stability) to a tall standing object placed right behind or very near the phone.
Another portable light that can be placed anywhere is the Aputure MC little box light. Like the ring light, it can be adjusted from warm to cold lighting, but it gives off far more lumination. That's especially helpful for darker locations or when I need a stronger primary lighting option.
What if you need more lighting or are caught unprepared because you haven't brought anything? Just use what's available. I can't tell you how many times I've rearranged the lamps in a hotel room (or in my parents' home) to provide a 2-point lighting setup. Ideally, that's a light of equal strength on either side of your camera, positioned at 45 degree angles so that their light crosses each other to illuminate you and your background and eliminating shadows.
Don't rule out natural sunlight. If you're in a room with a window, keep the light to one side of you or in front of you. Never stand in front of a brightly lit window or you'll literally pale in comparison. If you're shooting outside, have you or your subject stand facing the sunlight. Ideally, it's not too bright that you or your subject are squinting. A cloudy day or one that's late in the afternoon or early evening are ideal, because you have natural lighting that's softened by cloud cover or a sun that's just not as strong.
When it comes to sound, you may find that the microphone in your camera phone is just fine provided that you're standing in a small, non-echoey space near the phone itself. For the rest of the time - the vast majority - I recommend an external mic. You can find either a small portable microphone that I recommend mounting on a tripod near you (like a desk, if you're seated) or better yet, a lavalier mic. The lav mic is much smaller, lighter, and easier to carry around than a separate mic and tripod. The one I like has an exceptionally long cord that can be plugged into either my iPhone or DSLR Canon camera for distance shots. It's the Boya by-M1 PRO Professional Lavalier Lapel Microphone and has an astonishing long 6 meter (almost 20 feet) cord. Overkill for most shoots, but I HAVE used its full length and love it for that.
Where to shoot, where to shoot.... You don't want to compete with your background, so keep it simple. Your backdrop while traveling can be a plain wall (painted or brick), a soft solid-colored curtain, a non-fussy office background, or a portion of a living room where you're perhaps seated on a couch with a simple table and plant beside you. If all else fails, iron a solid-colored sheet and hang it up behind you. Backdrop is not as crucial as good lighting and sound, so don't sacrifice those elements for a prettier setting. Shooting outside? Natural spaces make beautiful backdrops, especially in parks or woods.
If you're shooting inside while visiting family or friends, your biggest concern may be interruptions. Kids running around, loud conversations, TVs blaring. Look for a quiet spot or pick a time when there's less activity. Here's the exception: your video is casual and all about being around friends and family. Then the extra ambiance may actually be a plus!
Do you take anything but your phone when you're traveling or on vacation?
0%Yes
0%No
0%No, but I'm considering it!
A few other considerations
If you're traveling for Christmas, the quintessential Ugly Sweater may be the perfect wardrobe choice for your video. Otherwise, you may want to choose to wear something simple and less, shall we say, festive.
As a general rule, keep wardrobe, hair, makeup, jewelry and other accessories to simple, everyday standards that won't distract from what you're saying or doing on camera. Like your background, they should complement the tone and purpose of your video and reinforce your message, whether it's advice from a seasoned professional, the busy multi-tasking mom, or the best friend your viewers wish they ever had sharing some much needed information and support.
Happy holidays! And happy video-ing (if that's a word). If you need any last minute advice, shoot me an email. I'll probably welcome the break from all the home merriment.
Want to learn more? Let's talk!
I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances.
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