Preparation

General Prep
Physical Fitness
Route
Season
Direction
Safety
Food and Water
Bicycle Equipment
Camping Equipment
Bike Clothing
Sleep
Pace
Film Equip
Audio Equip
Support Team
Participation Forms

Documentary Film Equipment

Equipment Needed To Make a Documentary

  1. Camera equipment: You will need a camera that can capture high-quality video and audio, as well as other necessary equipment such as tripods, stabilizers, and extra batteries. Consider using a DSLR camera or a mirrorless camera with good video capabilities.
  2. Audio equipment: In addition to the camera, you will need a good quality microphone to capture clear audio. Consider using a shotgun microphone or a lavalier microphone.
  3. Storage: You will need plenty of storage space to store all the video footage you capture. Consider investing in multiple memory cards or an external hard drive.
  4. Editing software: Once you have captured all the footage, you will need to edit it into a finished documentary. Consider using editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
  5. Release forms: Before you start filming, make sure you have appropriate release forms signed by your subjects, granting you permission to film and use their likeness in the documentary.
  6. Safety: Make sure you prioritize safety during the filming process. Be aware of traffic and weather conditions, and make sure you have proper gear to protect yourself and your equipment.
  7. Support team: Filming a documentary while bicycling across the country can be challenging, so consider bringing along a support team to help with logistics and equipment management.

Camera Gear

Camera Equipment

What camera equipment do you recommend for me to use when making a documentary of two people who bicycle across the Untied States of America?

There are several camera options to consider when filming a documentary of two people bicycling across the United States of America. Here are a few recommendations:

  1. DSLR or Mirrorless Camera: These cameras offer excellent image quality and versatility, with the ability to capture both photos and video. Consider cameras like the Canon EOS R5, Sony A7S III, or Nikon Z7 II.
  2. Action Camera: If you want to capture footage from unique angles, consider an action camera like the GoPro HERO9 Black or DJI Osmo Action. These cameras are small and lightweight, making them ideal for capturing footage on the go.
  3. Camcorder: A dedicated camcorder like the Sony FDR-AX700 or Canon Vixia HF G50 can provide excellent image stabilization, which is particularly important when filming while riding a bicycle.
  4. Audio Equipment: Good audio is essential for any documentary, so consider investing in a high-quality microphone to capture clear sound. A shotgun microphone like the Rode VideoMic Pro+ or a lavalier microphone like the Sennheiser AVX-ME2 can be great options.

Regardless of the camera equipment you choose, it’s important to also consider additional accessories such as tripods, stabilizers, and extra batteries to ensure you can capture the footage you need while on the road.

Action cameras.

Action cameras are small, portable cameras that are designed to capture high-quality video footage in rugged environments. These cameras are popular among outdoor enthusiasts, including cyclists, hikers, and skiers, as they are compact and easy to carry, and they can capture stunning footage from unique perspectives.

One of the most popular action camera brands is GoPro, which offers a range of cameras designed for different uses and budgets. The latest GoPro HERO10 Black features a 23.6-megapixel sensor capable of recording 5.3K video at up to 60 frames per second. It is also equipped with HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization technology, making it ideal for capturing footage while on a bumpy bike ride.

Other popular action camera brands include DJI, which offers the Osmo Action camera with similar specifications to the GoPro, and Insta360, which offers 360-degree cameras that can capture immersive footage from all angles.

Action cameras typically come with a range of mounting options, such as chest mounts, helmet mounts, and handlebar mounts, making them versatile for capturing footage from various angles while cycling. They also usually offer wireless connectivity and editing software, allowing you to easily share your footage and create a professional-looking video.

Camera Stabilizers

There are several stabilizers available that can help you capture stable footage while filming a documentary about bicycling. Here are some popular options:

  1. DJI Ronin-SC: This is a popular three-axis gimbal stabilizer that works with mirrorless cameras. It offers smooth stabilization and comes with various features like ActiveTrack, which allows you to track a subject automatically.
  2. Zhiyun Crane 2: This is another popular three-axis gimbal stabilizer that works with mirrorless and DSLR cameras. It has a maximum payload of up to 7 lbs and comes with a follow focus control that allows you to adjust the focus while shooting.
  3. FeiyuTech AK2000S: This is a three-axis gimbal stabilizer that supports mirrorless and DSLR cameras. It comes with a touch screen display that makes it easy to adjust settings and features like object tracking, time-lapse, and motion-lapse.
  4. Moza Air 2: This is a three-axis gimbal stabilizer that supports mirrorless and DSLR cameras. It has a maximum payload of up to 9 lbs and comes with features like time-lapse, object tracking, and follow focus control.
  5. Glidecam HD-2000: This is a popular handheld stabilizer that works with a wide range of cameras. It allows you to capture smooth footage while walking or running and is ideal for shooting fast-paced action scenes.

The prices of these stabilizers vary depending on the model and brand. The DJI Ronin-SC starts at around $439, the Zhiyun Crane 2 at around $549, the FeiyuTech AK2000S at around $379, the Moza Air 2 at around $599, and the Glidecam HD-2000 at around $499.

Digital Storage

Sure, here are some storage options for your documentary footage:

  1. SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card: This memory card is available in sizes up to 1TB and can record 4K video. It has fast read and write speeds, making it a great option for capturing high-quality footage.
  2. Samsung T5 Portable SSD: This external solid-state drive (SSD) is available in sizes up to 2TB and has fast transfer speeds. It’s small and lightweight, making it easy to bring on your bike trip.
  3. LaCie Rugged Mini External Hard Drive: This external hard drive is available in sizes up to 5TB and has a durable design that can withstand bumps and drops. It also includes password protection and automatic backup software.
  4. WD My Passport Wireless Pro: This portable external hard drive is available in sizes up to 4TB and includes built-in Wi-Fi, allowing you to wirelessly transfer files from your camera. It also has a built-in battery, so you can charge your other devices on the go.

These are just a few examples, and there are many other options available depending on your budget and storage needs.

Storing 4k Video

What is a good way to store 4k video when shooting a documentary film?

When shooting a documentary film in 4K resolution, it’s important to have a reliable and efficient storage solution to ensure that your footage is safe and easily accessible throughout the filmmaking process. Here are a few storage options that may work well for storing 4K video:

  1. External hard drives: External hard drives are a popular storage solution for filmmakers due to their portability and relatively low cost. When selecting an external hard drive, be sure to choose one with fast read/write speeds and ample storage capacity to accommodate your 4K footage. It’s also a good idea to invest in multiple hard drives and back up your footage regularly to prevent data loss.
  2. Network-attached storage (NAS): A NAS device is essentially a centralized storage system that allows multiple users to access and share files over a network. This can be a good option for documentary film teams who need to collaborate on footage and work from multiple devices. Some NAS devices even offer features like RAID redundancy, which can help protect against data loss in case of drive failure.
  3. Cloud storage: Cloud storage solutions like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon S3 can provide a convenient and secure way to store and access your 4K footage from anywhere with an internet connection. This can be particularly useful if you need to share footage with remote team members or collaborators. However, be aware that cloud storage can come with additional costs and may require a fast and stable internet connection to upload and download large files.

Whichever storage solution you choose, it’s important to develop a solid backup strategy and regularly back up your footage to prevent data loss in case of hardware failure or other issues.

Can you recommend an external hard drive that is good for 4k footage?

Yes, there are several external hard drives that are suitable for storing 4K footage. Here are a few options to consider:

  1. Seagate Backup Plus Portable: This external hard drive is available in capacities up to 5TB and features fast transfer speeds and compatibility with both Mac and Windows operating systems.
  2. Western Digital My Passport: The My Passport line of external hard drives offers capacities up to 5TB, fast data transfer speeds, and automatic backup software for added convenience.
  3. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt: This ruggedized external hard drive is designed for use in harsh environments and features both USB-C and Thunderbolt connectivity, making it ideal for high-speed data transfer. It’s available in capacities up to 5TB.
  4. G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD: If you’re looking for a faster and more durable option, consider an SSD-based external hard drive like the G-Drive Mobile SSD. It’s available in capacities up to 2TB, features fast transfer speeds, and is built to withstand drops and other impacts.

When selecting an external hard drive for 4K footage, be sure to choose one with ample storage capacity, fast data transfer speeds, and a durable design. It’s also a good idea to invest in multiple hard drives and regularly back up your footage to prevent data loss.

What are the prices of the hard drives you described above?

The prices for the external hard drives mentioned above vary depending on the capacity and model. Here are some rough estimates based on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price:

  1. Seagate Backup Plus Portable: Prices range from around $70 for a 1TB model to around $160 for a 5TB model.
  2. Western Digital My Passport: Prices range from around $60 for a 1TB model to around $140 for a 5TB model.
  3. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt: Prices range from around $130 for a 1TB model to around $350 for a 5TB model.
  4. G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD: Prices range from around $150 for a 500GB model to around $600 for a 2TB model.

It’s worth noting that these prices can fluctuate over time and may be different depending on the retailer or seller. Additionally, there may be sales or promotions that can affect the price.

Are the first three drives traditional spindle drives and the G-Drive a solid state?

Yes, you are correct. The first three drives mentioned (Seagate Backup Plus Portable, Western Digital My Passport, and LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt) are traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) with spinning platters and mechanical read/write heads.

The G-Technology G-Drive Mobile SSD, on the other hand, is a solid state drive (SSD) that uses flash memory instead of spinning disks. This makes the G-Drive faster, more durable, and less prone to mechanical failure than traditional HDDs. However, SSDs typically have a higher cost per gigabyte of storage compared to HDDs.