Vehicles

[MuteButtonHero]

Good evening, everyone,  

 

I trust you’re all doing well and that none of your gear has mysteriously sprouted legs and disappeared into thin air. We all know how that goes, don’t we?  
 

So, here’s the deal: after years of run-and-gun work and assisting on larger, more organised studio-based productions, I’ve now been handed the glorious opportunity to work as a mixer on a massive production. This means upgrading my gear, renting more kit than I ever thought possible, and—brace yourselves—building my very own team. Yes, I get to be the one barking orders. What could possibly go wrong?  
 

The production is set to run for 4-5 months, with the added joy of location changes every 7 weeks. Because who doesn’t love the thrill of packing up all their worldly possessions, saying a teary farewell to another set, and doing it all over again in a new location with the same level of grace and organisation (or lack thereof)? Naturally, I’m now facing the absolute conundrum of how to move all this expensive, fragile, and somewhat temperamental gear across the country without it disappearing into a black hole, being stolen by gremlins, or—god forbid—getting damaged in the process.  
 

One brilliant idea I had was to rent a welfare crew van —big enough to fit 6 people, a tiny welfare station (because we are delicate flowers who need a break and a cup of tea every now and then), and, of course, space for the gear. I imagine it as some sort of mobile fortress of organisation—until I realise I’m probably setting myself up for a spectacular disaster. Is this overkill? Will it make me the hero of the production? Or will I find myself crammed into a van, trying to convince the team that yes, we absolutely do need that extra bag of cables at the very back of the van, which we can’t get to because we have no idea how to unpack the chaos we just created?  
 

This is where I need the wisdom of those who have seen the real chaos of large productions. How do you manage the logistical nightmare of moving all your gear across multiple locations while keeping everything intact and, most importantly, not losing your mind in the process? What are your survival tips? How do you get from one location to the next without everything you own becoming a jumbled mess of cables, batteries, and pure anxiety?  
 

I’m open to all suggestions, tips, and stories of everything that could possibly go wrong, just to help me mentally prepare myself. If you have any photos of your setup, feel free to send them over. I need to know if I’m about to make the best decision of my life or if this is going to be a disaster of epic proportions, in which case, I’ll take up knitting and forget I ever had this idea.  

Looking forward to hearing from all the seasoned pros out there. Send your advice, photos, and your most dramatic “I wish I knew better” moments my way. I could use a good laugh—and maybe a strong drink.  

Julian 

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

I'm not familiar with the term 'welfare crew van', but if you are talking about a van with passenger seats (and windows), don't do it.  You want a transit van / sprinter van / equivalent which has no windows (no ability for thieves to see what's in the back), separation from the main cab, and a proper lockout padlock.

 

The other common alternative is a trailer, but that requires you also having a vehicle with towing capacity (or help from the teamsters).

 

You'll also probably need to do a build-out to make sure nothing flies around (bungees, anchor points etc).  Probably a ramp if you are cart-based.  You'll discover at least a dozen things you've missed in the first week.

[MuteButtonHero]

Hey many thanks for your reply, the best example is something like this https://www.lyndonsystems.co.uk/transporter.html sometimes the rear storage space is used for things like toilets, drying rooms etc so they are configurable. However in my case would be used for storage of course. 

[mono]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Philip Perkins]

What the OP is proposing sounds a bit like what a camera truck is on USA productions: fairly large, with enough work space for multiple camera crews and their gear (as well as a spot for a coffee maker etc)..    These sorts of trucks are rentable, but they are not cheap.  In the USA, what is rentable cheaply are small box trucks meant for people moving house.  It used to be common for bands, small dance companies, small theatre troupes to rent these and do a temporary build out of the interior (shelving and tie-downs mostly).  Not very secure, and with the rental company's logo plastered all over the sides--a somewhat obvious theft target.  Is your production paying for this vehicle?   Will they have secure overnight+day off storage for it?   Will your production cover the insurance for this truck?

 

[Fred Salles]

Whatever you choose, for me there is but one rule: shelves and ratchet straps. 
Even if you have the luxury of a your own sound vehicule make sure you have appropriate shelvings. 
Appart from whatever is on wheel (sound cart, assistant cart, etc) for me every case must have its space on a shelve and there must be space to access it quicly, meaning the floor must be free. And you must be able to tight everything securely and fast (hence ratchet starps). 
Any other solution involve time waste and/or risk.  

[DHB]

In the UK; Ford Transit, or similar, with side-opening door and rear doors. "..One brilliant idea I had was to rent a welfare crew van —big enough to fit 6 people.." would those other five all want to travel together with you every time? Don't any of them have their own transport, or be willing to share own transport? Your job is getting the gear there safely, easily loaded and unloaded; not staff welfare. You're the sound man, not the coffee man.

 

Fill with large plastic 18" to 2 foot high bins with lids - clearly marked - to stow relevant kit: mics, heavy cables, lightweight cables, lightweight short cables, batteries, chargers, recorder(s), headphones, etc. Strap or wedge bins so that NOTHING slides around, ever. No windows. Loud vehicle alarm - interior as well as exterior sensors. Visible steering lock. Discreet external sign "No fruit or veg left in this vehicle overnight".

 

Extra secure discreet locks. Massive insurance. (If petrol ['gas'] and has an easily accessible distributor cap, always remove the rotor arm when parked.)

[LuisT]

In belgium when shooting drama we usually load the sound equipment with the camera truck.

 

We divide the shelves on a smart way and make everything accessible for everybody.

Like this i don't have to drive it, it stays on safe areas at night and on weekends. And it's properly insured in within of the camera truck.

 

It's usually much bigger than a van. And has a lift so very easy to unload carts.

 

If you can have your own truck/van, why not but you'll have to drive it, ask location department a place for it, be sure it's safe and that your gear is insured in the truck as well as on set work.

 

Some like this : https://www.tsf.fr/categorie-produit/vehicules-techniques/ (24 or 27m3)

[LuisT]

22 hours ago, DHB said:

In the UK; Ford Transit, or similar, with side-opening door and rear doors. "..One brilliant idea I had was to rent a welfare crew van —big enough to fit 6 people.." would those other five all want to travel together with you every time? Don't any of them have their own transport, or be willing to share own transport? Your job is getting the gear there safely, easily loaded and unloaded; not staff welfare. You're the sound man, not the coffee man.

 

Fill with large plastic 18" to 2 foot high bins with lids - clearly marked - to stow relevant kit: mics, heavy cables, lightweight cables, lightweight short cables, batteries, chargers, recorder(s), headphones, etc. Strap or wedge bins so that NOTHING slides around, ever. No windows. Loud vehicle alarm - interior as well as exterior sensors. Visible steering lock. Discreet external sign "No fruit or veg left in this vehicle overnight".

 

Extra secure discreet locks. Massive insurance. (If petrol ['gas'] and has an easily accessible distributor cap, always remove the rotor arm when parked.)

@DHB just out of curiosity, what locks are you using on your transit ? I found some Meroni locks but i find them too big. And not discrete enough

 

Thanks

 

[DHB]

LuisT, sorry, I don't remember - that was a while ago, and I no longer have the van (doing less travel work). I think there was a hooklock (don't remember the brand name) on the sliding side door, and deadbolts on the others.

[LuisT]

6 hours ago, DHB said:

LuisT, sorry, I don't remember - that was a while ago, and I no longer have the van (doing less travel work). I think there was a hooklock (don't remember the brand name) on the sliding side door, and deadbolts on the others.

ok thanks anyway