what's in a brand journalist's kit bag? content marketing equipment breakdown
TRANSCRIPT
Content Marketing Equipment
What’s in a brand journalist’s toolkit?
The kit bag
This is the brand journalism kit bag I’ve been taking on assignments since 2006
Steven LewisDirector, Taleist
Content marketing expert with more than 15 years’ journalism experience.
Sydney, Australia
The kit bag
The equipment has seen some upgrades and additions, however.
This is what I packed for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, 2015
Camera equipmentCanon EOS 7D — Brilliant for photographs but I also use it for shooting HD videos. The EF 24-105mm lens is a versatile choice suitable for most situations.
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Fujifilm X100s — A fantastic, discreet camera; and also good for basic videos when the Canon is too bulky.
GoPro — Excellent for videoing in tight spots, attaching to anything that’s moving; or shooting time lapse
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Selfie-stick — Yes, they have a business purpose too. You might want to film yourself in situ. Also good for tight spots or gaining height.
Manfrotto tripod — A good quality tripod is essential: (1) because it has to handle substantial camera + audio weight; (2) because you want quality at a light weight.
Audio equipmentZoom H6 — Capable of recording from multiple inputs simultaneously. I mount the recorder on the Canon 7D and mix the audio with the video in post-processing.
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Omnidirectional and directional mics — Included with the H6 for use in different audio situations
Rode Reporter mic — For interviews
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SoundGrabber II — This unusual-looking mic can sit on a table in front of a group of interviewees or capture a panel discussion
Windsock— For recording anywhere with a breeze
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76 Lapel mics — The Rode SmartLav works
with an iPhone or can be adapted for the H6 or direct to the Canon 7D
7 Sony MDR-7506— Because you never, ever record sound without wearing headphones
MiscSpare memory — No memory, no content
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5External iPhone battery — It’s not good to be on site without a phone
Cables — Everything comes with a cable
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Spare batteries — No power, no A/V
Go Travel trolley— Total weight of kit bag: 9kgs. Distance travelled at CES: far.
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ChoicesTwo cameras, six microphones… It’s a lot of equipment but I want choices when I’m on location.
My job is to find the stories and capture them, not limit the stories to fit my equipment.
