--- name: shoot-equipment-list description: "Generates a complete, shoot-specific packing and equipment checklist organized by category, crew role, and travel constraints." status: stable category: research subcategory: locations-logistics version: 1.0 eval_score: 4.2 tags: [equipment, logistics, pre-production, field, crew] --- # 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 --- ## 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 --- **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](../../../tv-documentary/pre-production/location-scout-brief/SKILL.md) - [shoot-schedule-builder](../../../tv-documentary/pre-production/production-schedule-writer/SKILL.md) - [travel-logistics-brief](../../logistics/travel-logistics-brief/SKILL.md)