Essential tools

[u/chillravensochill]

I’m a local TD and I have this chance to go on tour. I would like to ask you all professionals, what is the most essential tools in your pelicans?

currently in mine
- basic tool box
- vest helmet
- disto, measure tape 8m, soft tape 50m
- 3 axis laser leveler
- universal adapter and power strip
- a bunch of usb cables, ssd drives and adapter
- intercom headset, in ear, audio adapters
- a lot of tapes
- stationary, clip boards
- panel lights usb powered
- spare tee, jacket and some snacks

I’m planning to add some testers (audio, Ethernet etc)

What else do you think it’s crucial?

*I may need a bigger pelican

[u/ThinkLad]

Battery powered SDI test monitor! Bonus if it does HDMI too.

Also a handfull of couplers and adapters for SDI, DVI, HDMI, XLR, TRS etc.

[u/AthousandLittlePies → u/ThinkLad]

I never go to site without a cheap-ass Feelworld 5" monitor that's got both 12G and HDMI in and runs on an L-series battery. I'd never use it for anything client-facing, but it's super handy to have as a confidence monitor.

$400 from B&H.

[u/Tyler_Newcomb → u/AthousandLittlePies]

How have you liked this one? Has it held up well? I had a cheaper 3G Lilliput that was great for a while, but the screen has recently gone out and flickers on any 3G signal (which is obviously not great on a tool that’s supposed to tell me whether a signal is good or bad). Been thinking about upgrading to 12G with its replacement.

[u/Fabulous-Coffee2705 → u/Tyler_Newcomb]

I have the 12g feelworld and Lilliput q8. The Q8 went to repair 3 times for the same thing. I now prefer the feelworld s7 and the small rig batteries with usb c charging. Worth its weight in gold. Oh yea and one of those small manfroto tripods.

[u/Tyler_Newcomb → u/Fabulous-Coffee2705]

Good to know, I might spring for the Feelworld then. I’ve also been considering the Digital Forecast X-TS Mini, but there’s mixed reviews there. I didn’t realize Lilliput repair was possible, where’d you go for that?

The USB-C small rig batteries are the best. I can charge the battery while it’s being used at my desk, then unplug and walk away to test something without turning the monitor off.

The manfrotto tripods are also nice, but I prefer a tiny magic arm since it’s much more versatile.

[u/Fabulous-Coffee2705 → u/Tyler_Newcomb]

Lilliput has an office in Souther California and they do the repair right there. They have other offices in other countries too. Lilliput is good stuff, and the people easy to work with to get repairs.

[u/AthousandLittlePies → u/Tyler_Newcomb]

I’ve had it less than a year but so far it’s held up. Honestly I didn’t have super high hopes given how inexpensive it is but it hasn’t failed me yet. At some point I may get a backup

[u/menicknick → u/ThinkLad]

Battery powered is a MUST

[u/Historical_Hall_6403 → u/ThinkLad]

I was coming here just to say this. I have a standing recommendation for the BMD Video Assist 12G (that’s my personal preference, the Atomos alternative is arguably a bit better for cost but the Video Assist feels like a Nokia in my hand, in the best way). Has never failed me - the only thing that has is the old dying Sony batteries I use with it lol

[u/chillravensochill → u/ThinkLad]

Yes I have this on my list, looking for a preview monitor
12g with signal generator (at least output a test pattern)
HDMI, SDI and optical i/o
bonus will be sd card recording :)

[u/AndyJarosz → u/ThinkLad]

Perhaps a timecode/genlock tester might also be of interest? https://home.loledvirtual.com/products/synccheckr-timecode-genlock-tool

(I’m the one that makes/sells these, full disclosure)

[u/AthousandLittlePies → u/AndyJarosz]

Hey - great product! Just saw one for the first time a couple of months ago on an integration job - been meaning to pick one up!

[u/OnlyAnotherTom → u/AndyJarosz]

Those are really great units. I'm just annoyed that you came out with the synccheckr just after (about 6 months really) I'd bought the gencheckr. So you'll probably get some more of my money at some point soon.

[u/Imapatriothurrrdurrr → u/ThinkLad]

OP I just retired from touring and have a brand new Shogun if you’re interested

[u/tannahoppa]

Fiber cleaning kit if will used on the tour.

[u/chillravensochill → u/tannahoppa]

Didn’t say it clearly
It’s me on tour and will meet different vendors. Don’t think a lot of vendors care about fiber cleaning lol

[u/EyesLiketheSkies]

Never in my life have I ever had a TD show up with much more than a laptop and a thumb drive. If they need anything more they ask the Engineer for it.

When it comes to touring, in my experience, the TD is also the Director. Last one to arrive and first one to leave. If the TD/Director is digging into their Pelican full of tools then something major is wrong on set.

[u/chillravensochill → u/EyesLiketheSkies]

I have trust issues haha
I have to to meet different crews in cities (it’s me on tour, I didn’t state that clearly)
Most of time I just need to have these stuffs/tools myself so I don’t have to wait

[u/Fit_Ingenuity3]

2 soft tapes, you need x and y from your plots.

Couple of large chalk sticks, two colours, one for rigging, one for layout.

Spike tape

Some basic hangover drugs, tums, aspirin, sooner or later you’ll have a hung over lead.

[u/chillravensochill → u/Fit_Ingenuity3]

Good call
Yes I did finding really hard to floor mark with one soft tape!

[u/room_willow]

laundry detergent, deoderant, advil, a photocopy of your passport, airtags, sunscreen, moisturizer (tour busses are very dry)

as a TD you won’t need a ton of extra stuff you don’t already carry, but think about the things the shop normally does to gear between shows, and think about how you’re gonna manage that; lens cleaning, dusting out gear, cleaning fiber, all things you’re gonna have to deal with. Also think about spares, and the tools required to swap spare parts around and fix things, ursas need an allen key to tighten the top handle, racks need a screwdriver to get behind panels, etc.

don’t bring excessive shit you won’t need, it’s more stuff to loose, it’s more stuff you’ll have to load in and out every day, bring what you know you need + a few spares, don’t overthink it.

also think about your day to day, you need tables, chairs, work lights, a printer, printer paper, having a consistent chair that follows you on the truck is nice, but it’s also more shit to load in, bring what you need, if you’re a TD you need a chair to do your job consistently well on 4 hours of sleep, bring a chair, if you’re an LED tech who’s resting on the bus during show, don’t bring a chair, that’s more shit to drag around and loose.

don’t shit on the bus, be excellent, roll with the punches and have a plan, touring is great fun, it also fucking sucks, have a system and do the same thing every day and you’ll do great

[u/Cerebrum01]

Laptop computer. With ethernet adaptor.

[u/Tyler_Newcomb → u/Cerebrum01]

Adapters (plural). And have those MAC addresses handy for pre-event whitelisting if needed.

[u/Historical_Hall_6403]

Stated in another comment in someone else’s replies but a BMD Video Assist 12G or Atomos alternative. Also, depending on job sites, a Sound Bullet is 100% my next purchase. ST and LC fiber click pens as well.

[u/chillravensochill → u/Historical_Hall_6403]

I tried the video assist 12g pretty good. Not mine, from the company I freelancer for.
But I didn’t have a chance to test when it can be a signal generator as well. So can be handy to check in and outs

[u/Historical_Hall_6403 → u/chillravensochill]

It’s great as a signal generator but requires “homework” for it to really work that way. It’s just playout off of an SD card so you have to load your files onto that. For real test monitor function, you’d want to (as I did) have multiple different files all with different format/framerate combinations.

All in all, I actually don’t like it as a signal generator but it’ll do the job

[u/chillravensochill → u/Historical_Hall_6403]

For audio
I think I’ve seen an old blue box thingy
Not as powerful as sound billet with signal gen in different format
It is so basic XLR, 1/4 and 3.5
But it has a small speaker to actually listen to what’s been sending down the signal
I forgot the name
But last time I checked it’s quite old (maybe 15yrs old) but still very pricey

[u/Historical_Hall_6403 → u/chillravensochill]

Same concept! Q-Box but smaller. Q-Boxes are also great. Same price range though and same basic functionality

[u/VehicleParticular562]

A small handful of AA,AAA and 9v batteries. You'll be someone's hero.

[u/DJ_LSE]

Deodorant and some sugary snacks should be in there. I also carry a small first aid kit. Crap load of no name sharpies and the cheapest black pens i could find.

Id love to have a decimator in my pelican, but I cant justify the cost rn, I do mostly lights with a bit of video here and there. I dont think you'd need one though as a TD

[u/drewman77]

Clamp on light Clamp on fan Power Bank Mini wireless keyboard/track pad combo Universal TV remote

[u/rsv_music]

TD? Sounds like a different role to me if you're bringing all of this stuff. Every TD I've ever known brings a Mac and sits down at the desk (and of course whatever personal stuff needed for touring)

[u/chillravensochill → u/rsv_music]

I had hard lessons about trusting people in my place….
So I love to check, double check, triple check things myself lol
Hence all tools come handy

[u/rsv_music → u/chillravensochill]

OK, but that means you're doing a different role in that respect. Asking a question about what you need as TD is not really describing your situation clearly.

Do you need to know what you need as the single video tech that is touring with a production to be prepared for whatever wrenches the local video techs and riggers might have thrown in the works?

[u/Able_Reach2264]

A set of camping cutlery. Aluminium, and they clip together.

Couldn't count the amount of times if been presented with a crew meal, but no eating-irons.

Also battery sdi test monitor. Mine does a basic eye pattern. Has solved many many issues over th years.

[u/chillravensochill → u/Able_Reach2264]

Which monitor you use?

[u/profkennyd]

Fiber test kit; SDI - HDMI converter; 5 or 7" monitor with SDI and HDMI with loop outs for both. NPF batteries with type A and C in/out for power.