Shooting NTSC video in Europe. What plugs into what wall and how?

Jay,

I've shot overseas many times with my NTSC gear. From the middle east to east africa, Their power is 220 vs. our 120, so make sure you look at your battery charger and see if it has both voltages (110 ~ 240). You can go to any luggage store in a mall or your favorite radio shack to pick up an international plug adaptor kit. If you are taking a monitor, make sure it has the multiple voltage input as well. If you are shooting video in a major city you probably will not have power issues, but be careful of charging in the smaller cities....they might have power surges. Also pick up a voltage meter (small wrench size) from radio shack or Home Depot. You can always check the voltage before plugging in your gear.

My gear is insured with an international rider that allows me to travel over seas. Make sure you talk to your insurance and make sure it has the international rider or you will be taking a huge risk. I have avoided doing the carnet deal with most of my travel and instead chose the other US customs option form: CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION FOR PERSONAL EFFECTS TAKEN ABROAD (form 4457) You can obtain this form from your local airport customs office. Write down all your gear with serial numbers and take it back to the customs office with your gear and have them stamp it before you leave. One other tip with the form: fill out a separate form for each bag that has gear in it. This will allow the customs official to easily scan the pelican cases and check off the gear. When you come back from Italy, you can then clear customs without a hassle or paying import duties.

Keep copies of the forms in each case, one with your passport, and copies back in the states with a friend or family member in case you lose it over seas. You can then have it faxed or emailed to you before coming back to the states. Also photocopy your passport and leave a copy back in the states with a friend or family member. If your passport gets stolen, it is a little easier to get a new one if you can prove you had one previously.

Health wise: make sure you check out the CDC web site (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/) for any last minute disease break outs to your potential travel area. Get your shots a week or two in advance so you can afford a down day to recover if you have a reaction to the shots.

Europe is not as bad as africa and some middle east towns for getting some decent food. I always toss in a few snack packs or health bars into my bags for those days when you can stop to eat during production.

Take all the extra cables or adaptors you "might" need. You might break something and not be able to find a quick replacement. Depending on your gear, see if your local US dealer has any contact information for Italy. I was glad I found a Sony shop in Panama when a cable connector got trashed on a shoot down there. I was able to take some time to stop by and get a replacement.

Hope this helps.

Andy Edwards
AE Digital TV

[Barend Onneweer] "Wow... you make it sound like we're something like the third world countries around here... "

Barend, no offense meant by my post. I've spent many a days traveling all around Europe including Holland and nothing but great times and great people. The original poster seemed like he has not traveled outside the US and I thought being over prepared would be better then under-prepared.

From a power stand point,if he might be traveling to the countrysides of Italy vs. major city, he might want to be aware of potential issues. And yes, california does have bad power as well....especially since the lower half of the state is still on fire.

Andy Edwards

[R Carr] "He's going to Italy - the food shouldn't be a problem!"

Exactly! He won't have to suffer with steak and kidney pie or greasy bangers and mash!
:-)