Filmmaker's 100 Must-Have Items for Your Next Travel Gig (With Free Printable Checklist!)
By ERMW Team
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Traveling as a filmmaker is a logistical puzzle. The location might be beautiful and the story compelling, but if your gear isn't organized and your kit isn't complete, you'll be fighting technical battles instead of focusing on creative opportunities. Beyond the obvious camera and lenses, a truly prepared filmmaker's bag is a curated collection of gear and gadgets that anticipates problems and provides solutions.
This guide isn't just about what you need to shoot; it's about what you need to survive a long shoot day, solve technical glitches, and protect your gear in any environment. Here are 100 must-have items to build the ultimate filmmaker's travel kit, broken down by category, along with a brief explanation of their purpose.
And to make this even better, you’ll find a fully printable .pdf to print at the bottom of this list for use on your next filmmaking expedition! Happy travels!
Camera & Lensing Essentials
Primary Camera Body: Your main workhorse. Having a reliable primary camera is non-negotiable for capturing high-quality footage.
Backup Camera Body: If your main camera fails on location, this is your safety net. It saves the entire production from being shut down.
Core Lensing Kit: A versatile set of lenses (e.g., a wide, a telephoto, and a standard prime) allows for a variety of shots without a huge footprint.
Variable ND Filter: Essential for shooting in bright daylight. It reduces the amount of light entering the lens, allowing you to maintain a cinematic shutter speed (typically 1/48 or 1/50 of a second).
Circular Polarizer Filter: This filter cuts through glare and reflections on water, glass, and other surfaces, while also deepening the color of the sky.
Protective UV Filters: A simple, inexpensive glass filter that screws onto the front of your lens, protecting the valuable front element from scratches and dust.
Lens Adapters: To expand your lens options, an adapter allows you to use lenses from different systems on your camera body.
Matte Box: Helps with flare control by blocking stray light and provides a professional way to mount filters.
Follow Focus: This mechanism allows for precise and repeatable focus pulls, crucial for narrative filmmaking.
Extra Lens Caps and Body Caps: Small but critical for keeping dirt and dust out of your gear.
Camera Cleaning Kit: A blower, lens pen, and microfiber cloths are vital for keeping your glass and sensor pristine, preventing blemishes on your footage.
Rain Covers: Protect your camera from unexpected weather conditions, preventing water damage.
Shoulder Rig/Cage: Improves stability for handheld shots and provides multiple mounting points for accessories like monitors and mics.
Quick Release Plates: These allow for fast transitions between tripod, shoulder rig, and gimbal, saving valuable time on set.
Lens Support: Essential for heavy lenses, this device prevents strain and damage to your camera's lens mount.
Media, Power & Data
High-Capacity SD/CFexpress Cards: Never underestimate how much footage you'll shoot. Pack at least twice as much media as you think you'll need.
Card Wallet/Case: Keeps your media organized, labeled, and protected from static or physical damage.
Rugged External SSD: A tough, drop-resistant external drive is crucial for making fast, secure backups of your footage in the field.
Portable Power Bank: Your phone, a drone, or an on-camera monitor might run out of juice at a critical moment. A high-capacity power bank is a lifesaver.
Universal Power Adapter: Don't get caught in a foreign country without the right plug. A universal adapter works with multiple outlet types.
Power Strip with Surge Protection: This lets you charge all your devices from a single outlet and protects them from power surges.
Extra Camera Batteries: Nothing kills a shoot faster than a dead battery. At least 3-4 per camera are recommended.
Battery Charger: A reliable charger is essential for keeping your batteries topped up for the next day's shoot.
Multi-Card Reader: For quick offloading of all media types, saving time on data management.
Laptops with Editing/DIT Software: A powerful laptop is your mobile editing and data management hub, allowing for on-the-go backups and basic edits.
Audio
Shotgun Microphone: For crisp, directional audio, a shotgun mic mounted on your camera or a boom pole is a huge upgrade from the internal mic.
Wireless Lavalier Mic Kit: Perfect for interviews and dialogue recording, a lavalier mic provides clean audio directly from your subject.
Headphones: Over-the-ear, noise-isolating headphones are critical for monitoring audio quality on set. You can't fix bad audio in post-production.
Portable Audio Recorder: A dedicated device for high-quality audio capture, separate from your camera, is a professional standard.
XLR Cables: Several of varying lengths for connecting microphones to your audio recorder.
3.5mm and 1/4" Adapters: The small connections that always seem to be missing. Having extras prevents a simple connection issue from stopping a shoot.
Shock Mount: Reduces handling noise for your shotgun mic, ensuring clean audio.
Windscreen/Dead Cat: Essential for reducing wind noise outdoors and preventing "wind hiss" from ruining your audio.
Audio Boom Pole: For getting the mic in the right position without being in the shot.
Small Stand: To hold the boom pole or a small light.
Lighting
Small LED Light Panels: Versatile, portable, and battery-powered, these lights are perfect for interviews or adding a quick fill light.
Flexible LED Mats: These lights can be wrapped around objects or hidden in tight spaces for creative lighting setups.
Pocket-sized RGB Lights: Adds color and creative highlights to your scene.
Compact Light Stands: Lightweight and easy to pack, these stands are crucial for positioning your lights.
Reflector/Diffuser Kit: A simple, foldable disc that can bounce light, soften harsh shadows, or block light entirely.
Gels and Filters: To change the color temperature of your lights and match them to ambient light.
Light Meter: For precise exposure control, a light meter ensures your footage is perfectly exposed.
Small Clamps and Arms: To mount lights and accessories in unconventional places where a stand won't fit.
Small Gobos/Flags: For shaping light and creating shadows, these are essential for a professional look.
Gaffer's Tape: The ultimate tool for rigging lights, securing cables, and a hundred other jobs without leaving a sticky residue.
Stabilization & Grip
Travel Tripod: A lightweight but sturdy tripod with a fluid head is a must-have for stable shots.
Monopod: For quick, stable shots when a full tripod is too cumbersome to set up.
Small Gimbal/Stabilizer: For smooth, cinematic camera movements that elevate the production value.
Flexible Tripod (e.g., Gorillapod): Perfect for unique camera angles, as it can be mounted on railings, branches, or any uneven surface.
Magic Arm: A versatile jointed arm for mounting accessories like monitors or lights to your camera cage or rig.
Small Clamp: For attaching accessories to tables, chairs, or stands.
A-Clamps (Spring Clamps): For securing cables, backdrops, and small pieces of gear.
Cinefoil/Black Wrap: Matte black aluminum foil for shaping light and preventing lens flares.
Gaffer's Tape: For every conceivable rigging need.
Grip Gloves: Protect your hands when handling gear and provide a better grip.
Tools & Utility
Multi-tool: A Leatherman or similar tool is essential for on-the-fly repairs and adjustments.
Phillips and Flathead Screwdrivers: For tightening or loosening gear.
Allen/Hex Key Set: Many camera cages and accessories use these.
Precision Screwdriver Set: For tiny screws on electronics.
Cable Ties/Zip Ties: For organizing and securing cables.
Wire Cutters: To cut zip ties and other materials.
Utility Knife/Box Cutter: A sharp blade for countless tasks.
Measuring Tape: For blocking scenes, positioning subjects, and setting up lights.
Small Level: To ensure your camera is perfectly straight.
Permanent Markers: For labeling memory cards and gear.
Lens Wipes/Cleaning Spray: For quick spot cleaning.
Compressed Air Duster: To clear dust from hard-to-reach places on your gear.
Small Notebook and Pens: For storyboarding, shot lists, and quick notes when your phone's battery dies.
First Aid Kit: A basic but crucial kit for minor injuries.
Portable Power Strip: Charge everything at once.
Personal & Professional Comfort
Headlamp: For working in the dark without fumbling with your phone's light.
Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is key, especially on long shoot days in challenging locations.
Energy Bars/Snacks: Keeps your energy up and prevents a "hangry" mood on set.
Comfortable and Durable Shoes: You will be on your feet for hours. Comfort is non-negotiable.
Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Pack layers. A waterproof jacket and breathable clothing are essential for dealing with unpredictable weather.
Sunscreen and Sunglasses: Protect yourself from the sun, especially in open locations.
Bug Spray: A must-have for outdoor shoots.
Travel Tissues/Wet Wipes: For quick clean-ups and hygiene.
Portable Hand Sanitizer: A simple but crucial item for staying healthy, especially when working in new environments.
Toiletries & Personal Hygiene Products: Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc.
Small Backpack or Fanny Pack: For keeping essential items on your person.
Small, Collapsible Cooler: Keeps drinks and snacks cold.
Duct Tape: The all-purpose hero for a hundred different jobs.
Personal Headphones: For blocking out noise or listening to music while waiting.
Small Padlock: To secure cases and bags.
Cash and Small Bills: Some remote locations might not accept cards.
Organization & Protection
Hard-Shell Carry-On Case: A rugged case for your most important gear.
Padded Gear Inserts: For protecting lenses and camera bodies inside bags.
Pelican-style Hard Cases: For large, fragile items.
Dry Bags: Protect gear from water on boat shoots or in wet conditions.
Clear Plastic Bins: For organizing and easily seeing small items.
Microfiber Cloths: For wiping down everything.
AirTag/GPS Tracker: To track valuable gear in transit.
Personalizable Gear Tags: To label your bags and equipment.
Small Pop-up Tent/Canopy: Provides shade for a DIT station or talent.
Folding Chair: A simple comfort that can make a long day much easier.
Reusable Zip-Top Bags: For organizing small parts, screws, and batteries.
Clear Gaffer's Tape: For marking stages or cables on dark floors.
Camera Harness: To distribute the weight of your camera and reduce strain.
The Right Attitude: Patience, adaptability, and a collaborative spirit are the most important things to pack.
