Other than caffeine and a tremendous amount of self-doubt, some things that filmmakers are absolutely up to their necks in while shooting a project are cables. There's at least one for almost every device you have on set, from your lighting units to your boom mics, and managing, storing, and controlling all of them can be a real challenge. In this video from PremiumBeat, cinematographer Mark Vargo shows you how to properly wrap and maintain cables so you can spend less time wrangling and more time shooting. Check it out below:

If you're shooting projects in your backyard with your buddies, knowing how to wrap cables is certainly a helpful skill to have, but if you're working on a professional set, it's actually part of your job description. That's why this video is so helpful, because Vargo not only teaches you the classic "over and under" technique, but he also shows you how to properly maintain and care for them so they can last a lot longer.

  • Retraining cables and rope: Lay them out in the sun for 1-2 hours. If you're dealing with rope, soak it in water beforehand.
  • Keeping things together: Wrap a strip of velcro or a bungee cord around the male end of your cables to keep it from unwrapping.
  • Stressing out your cables: Avoid wrapping cables and cords like you would rope. Doing this could damage them.
  • Did I do it right?: Your cables and ropes should fly tangle-free when tossed. That's how you know you've wrapped properly.

Do you have any tips on how to wrap and/or care for cables, cords, and ropes? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: PremiumBeat

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