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Any advice for a mixer going to Africa?


Phil Rosati

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All good advice! I edited my post - my doctor actually said that i should wear no sandals and should not walk on the beach barefooted, and not step into the ocean - really sad! I hope it's bogus advice.....for the ocean part at least!

I would never go to that doctor again, my goodness! Next he'll be telling you to stay indoors cover in bubble wrap and only consume what you bring with you!

You'll be going to an amazing place with amazing people, just enjoy it. Hooray!

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Of course i did, i am just asking for experiences. Don't worry Mr. Senator, i do not rely on web forums in that matters. I also sorted the misunderstanding with swimming in the ocean, the doctor said |of course you can swim in the ocean, i said you cannot swim in lakes and rivers, thats dangerous."

Big thanks to all of you guys, you're a really good community. I didn't want to talk about the rates i got for the job, as the time is pretty short (we're leaving for Dakar wednesday) , let me just say i had to fight thru the predicament that mixer from europe would be cheaper (including his flight costs) than a local US mixer who was staying in Dakar at the time of the last shooting. Pretty crazy. But I managed to persuade them to honor almost my rate, and got them to pay the medical costs also.

Bartosz

get current, competent professional advice! ???

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Just checking into Vietnam last week with my gears. The custom reminded me that this is a socialist country and my gears considered "media" sensitive gears and may consider for un healthy propaganda. They (custom agents) made me lay all my gears out and threaten to confiscate everything. I almost went ballistic, then I noticed with all the threats no one proceed to take my gears but kept taking my passport, gave it back to me then take it again a few times. I proceed to slip $40 into the pages of my passport and wait until they take it again. On its way back to me, the passport, the custom agent added that this will be a warning but he will be nice a let me go this time. I gathered my gears up in a mess and got out of the airport. Crazy but tense!

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Just checking into Vietnam last week with my gears. The custom reminded me that this is a socialist country and my gears considered "media" sensitive gears and may consider for un healthy propaganda. They (custom agents) made me lay all my gears out and threaten to confiscate everything. I almost went ballistic, then I noticed with all the threats no one proceed to take my gears but kept taking my passport, gave it back to me then take it again a few times. I proceed to slip $40 into the pages of my passport and wait until they take it again. On its way back to me, the passport, the custom agent added that this will be a warning but he will be nice a let me go this time. I gathered my gears up in a mess and got out of the airport. Crazy but tense!

Baksheesh is the term. It's a huge shock when it first happens to you. Then you realise that the rest of the world doesn't work like it does back home. Sometimes that's good, sometimes not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baksheesh

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...yeah, it is a double edges knife. You just have to chance it in some situation. By tipping, they will or may think you have something bigger to hide then it is a bigger mess. Funny but in most Asian countries they pick on harder with an Asian American like me then a caucasian dude. Stupid sometime but I am learning as I go.

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All good advice! I edited my post - my doctor actually said that i should wear no sandals and should not walk on the beach barefooted, and not step into the ocean - really sad! I hope it's bogus advice.....for the ocean part at least!

BUUUUUUUULL!

I have been to Africa. Got the necessary shots from a GP as advised by Travel Clinic.

Bleach Tablets for water.

That's it!

And forget about gradually acclimatising yourself to the bacteria etc - 9 days is nowhere near enough time! (read: don't drink the water)

Also try Slippery Elm (health food shop might have it)

It's basically saw dust.

Eat it (mix into a mashed banana and spread on bread for example)

It coats the stomach lining, slowing down the affect of anything harmful that has been ingested.

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  • 3 weeks later...

X3 on Dukoral. Just do it. Take all the normal precautions as well, but it definitely gives you some extra immunity. I was eating street food in India and Iraq with success...

Except for that kebab in Kurdistan, but that was straight up food poisoning...

cheers,

Brent Calkin

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just adding my 2 sec's to the thread as i reckon you've been and gone by now.

Kit wise:

- I never check my basic kit, what you check may not get to where you are and if you can't role for 2 days thats your ass.

- Kit goes over the shoulder and my backpack has a few extra np-1's and a good book. i wouldn't leave it in my car at lunch why would i leave it out of my sight in an airport.

- Boom pole goes in the camera sticks bag. I've a great panamic 3 section that fits perfectly and gives me loads of reach. if it doesn't show i can get a mic stand and some bamboo to get me through a day or 2.

- even an unofficial carne is better than no carne and email a copy to production.

- check you're covered 100% gear and you.that means gear replacement 100% not price of depreciated gear and get it in writing.

- if you fly through charles de gaulle in paris which tends to be a hub for africa expect delays.

- bring a can of dust off and have a brush in your kit.

outside of that kit wise its like shooting anywhere else. no real radio interference unless you're working with the army. if you are i have a trick for that.

tips in no particular order:

- check travel clinic for your shots they'll tell ya.

- insist production brings bribe money in US dollars. if they aren't deporting you but still holding you they just want $50 and wierdly you are allowed to haggle on price at times. if it isn't used it'll make a nice float in the hotel bar before departure.

- 9 days is too short for most malaria and they give you either an itch or nightmares so unless you're going to fever camps not alot of point.

- unless you need it: phone and wallet should stay locked away. a cute gang of kids at the time aint so cute when your phones gone.

- watch your pee in hot countries. shot with the army in chad. 50+ degrees C during the day. fully grown army men asking you 5 times a day if your pee is a straw colour. very odd but important. dark bad, too light youre flushing out good vitamens.

- stay away from ice, and tap water. isn't usually a problem but production should supply you with bottled so take no chances. if you're gonna be a long ways off, a camel sack with diorrahyte is your only man. my back up bag has one built-in. i like the blackcurrant personally.

- Sunscreen, sun glasses and a Hat - absolute must. Heat stroke is not fun.

- wicking clothes especially t-shirt. they're a tad expensive but they're golden. helly hansen my choice.

- personally a big fan of the magic neck scarf or PLO scarf. stops sweat from dripping into your mixer.

- blister patches - your feet swell in the heat

- wet wipes and soothing cream for "stuff" - sand in your ass is no fun. neither is tiger balm or dettol anti-septic. funny though if you're looking to prank your camera guy.

- anti-bacterial hand gel - use it routinely - you dont rub it in, you let it evaporate off. the alchol kills the bugs.

- production should bring a pack of just in cases, immodium, sterilization pills, etc. dont worry to much about that stuff you've enough to be doing.

enjoy

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  • 1 month later...

Lived in an African for 3 years and have shot there since.

Use a carnet and take duplicate lists of your equipment

Take backups and spare cables

Take all the batteries you will need

Take power adapters

Have your jabs and maleria tablets

Maybe take an "RF Explorer" - great tools for rf research

Don't touch the wine ice or women

Be polite and enjoy the culture as it will amaze you!!!

mike

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One note to all US based mixers: even if your destination doesn't require a carnet, THE U.S. DOES. You will get held up in customs upon your return without one.

So let this be the rule: Do I need a carnet? if you're from the U.S., the answer is yes.

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One note to all US based mixers: even if your destination doesn't require a carnet, THE U.S. DOES. You will get held up in customs upon your return without one.

So let this be the rule: Do I need a carnet? if you're from the U.S., the answer is yes.

Not necessarily - you can get away with a customs registration form.

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