Traveling can be a hassle in and of itself, but if you're also going to be editing films or videos while on the road, the last thing you need is an editing setup that adds to the chaos. If your next editing project is taking you abroad, you'll probably want to cut down on as much weight and bulk as possible, but what kinds of gadgets and tools will help you do that? In this video, Simon Cade of DSLRguide shares ten items that you might want to take along with you when your next project takes you far away from the comfort of your own editing bay.

I have done my fair share of on-location editing, like I'm sure many of you have, and the one issue I always seemed to struggle with was cutting down on all the bulk. I'm talking miles of cables, unwieldy external hard drives, and excess gear that I didn't even need. (Before I ever owned a laptop, I used to lug my giant iMac around like a shameless fool, which, oddly, didn't impress my clients.)

If you travel a lot, it's time to get serious about going bare-bones. Invest in portable, rugged equipment and take only what you need. I mean, a compact, bus-powered external hard drive alone is definitely worth the extra money, because the more cables and cords you're tethered to, the harder it's going to be to travel with.

Here are the items Cade mentions in his video:

  • Laptop
  • Headphones (noise-canceling is a plus)
  • Earplugs
  • Portable, rugged, bus-powered external hard drive 
  • Backup external hard drive
  • Surge protector
  • International power adapter
  • Laptop sleeve
  • Locks for your travel bags
  • Travel insurance

You can't get more bare-bones than that. I do like to bring a travel mouse with me, however, but that's just because I'm used to editing with a mouse. For others, especially those who are keyboard shortcut masters, that may be unnecessary. 

Are there any other items that you'd include on the list? What are some specific devices (external hard drives, headphones, etc.) that you use? Let us know down in the comments.

Source: DSLRguide

traveleditingExternal Harddrive
Editing & Post-Production