So I'm patting myself on the back for my progress in the accountability department.
Anyway, enough about me...August is almost over and I thought I'd share some quick life hacks for you actors and models out there when it comes to staying prepared for shoots no matter the size, scope or budget. Some of this stuff might be common sense but we all know the saying so enjoy this month's post. If it helps even one of you, then mission accomplished!
While we all strive for those big budget projects where everything is provided for us, the reality is that the majority of the time, that's not going to be the case. Even well budgeted gigs have instances where the talent is responsible for providing certain items. Instead of huffing and puffing about it, do yourself a favor and start being overly prepared for any and everything.
It'll save you grief in the long run. Plus, it'll show clients you're dependable and one of the last people they need to worry about. Those are the types of folks clients and casting directors want to work with again and again, which is exactly who you want to be to them.
***BTW: this particular packing approach is for gigs done locally or where a road trip might be involved if you're driving to a gig outside city limits. Clearly, if you're flying from place to place, those logistics will determine what kind of bags you need to pack.***
PRACTICAL ITEMS
Wardrobe
Need to provide your own wardrobe for a gig? You'll need something to bring it in. It might seem like a good idea to fold your options and throw them into a suitcase, but the last thing you want are wrinkles. If there won't be a wardrobe stylist onset, chances are no one in the crew is going to have a random iron/ironing board or steamer.
There are some really cool suitcases with built in systems that allow for garments to be packed in a way that doesn't fold them excessively. I don't own such a product so there isn't one I can recommend but I'm personally a fan of clear garment bags. I own two types: one that easily fits shirts and shorter dresses, and the other is longer and designed to accommodate floor length dresses/gowns, and pants/suits. I tend to toss my shoes into them as well so that they're all in one place.
Having your wardrobe on hangers is ideal, not only for transporting but for displaying them to the wardrobe stylist as well.
I also have a small steamer that's easy to throw into my bag and simple to use.
Tote Bag/Duffel Bag
Have a designated tote bag/duffel bag that's roomy, made of sturdy material and has a wide, long strap to carry around comfortably on your shoulder or across your chest. These are ideal for transporting shoes, personal items, makeup/hair products, and anything else you might need. Keeping this designated bag fully stocked or partially stocked with your essentials and on standby means one less thing you have to think about when you're rushing out the door or bouncing from gig to gig during those "booked and busy" seasons.
Portable Phone Charger, Adapters & Extra USB Charging Cords
I've seen people have first world meltdowns because their phone is about to die and they don't have a charger. Don't let yourself get distracted from the work you were hired to do because you're worried about your phone. Buy extra power adapters and USB charging cords (they're so cheap there's no reason why you shouldn't have more than one).
I'm a huge fan of portable phone chargers. These don't require any cords or adapters and will keep your phone going for longer stretches. The night before your gig, make sure the portable charger is full and you'll be good to go.
PERSONAL ITEMS
Hair/Makeup
In the event there won't be a HMUA (hair/makeup artist) available, models and actors alike need to be prepared to not only arrive camera ready but bring the hair/makeup items that will keep them looking fresh throughout the duration of the project.
Ladies, chances are you have a huge makeup bag that has everything for all occasions. To make things easier, it helps to have a smaller version of your makeup bag that has the main items you need for camera ready looks. Choose a makeup bag size that won't take up too much space in your tote/duffel, instead of lugging a huge makeup kit each time.
When I know a MUA is going to be onset, I still bring a small makeup pouch that contains my concealer, foundation, and pressed powder. It saves time for color matching and lessens the chances that I'll have an allergic reaction.
Fellas, even if you don't always need it, it's ideal to have more than translucent pressed powder in your own makeup bag. Do yourself a favor and get concealer and foundation that matches your complexion, plus the brushes/sponges to apply it. You never know when a breakout might happen -- if there isn't a makeup artist for your project, you do not want to arrive without anything on your face. It will not bode well, trust me. And because 99.9% of the time I see guys rush to remove the makeup they have on when they're wrapped, bring your own makeup wipes.
For hair items, female models/actresses don't have to bring an entire arsenal of styling tools but definitely bring the one that you used to get your hair ready with. Throw in brushes of your choice (i.e. paddle brush, wide tooth comb, bristle brush, rat tail comb, etc.), along with hair spray/gel/pomade or whatever your choice of product is, with some bobby pins/clips to boot, and you should be able to remedy any hair situation that might arise onset or on location. For the guys, bring whatever product(s) you use normally to get your hair looking camera ready.
Undergarments
Ladies, it's essential that you have the following items packed and ready to go in your bag:
- Nude strapless bra
- Black strapless bra
- Chicken cutlets (the adhesive types are a personal favorite of mine)
- Bra strap holder clips (the kind that turn traditional bras into a racer back to accommodate certain wardrobe styles)
- Nude shapewear
- Black shapewear
- Nude thong underwear
- Black thong underwear
For the men, having extra pairs of underwear in general doesn't hurt. I don't wear your undergarments so I won't go into detail (haha) but I'll just say you know what you wear that's comfortable, so pack accordingly based on the wardrobe you anticipate you'll be wearing.
Personal Toiletries & Miscellaneous Items
A few items that are handy to bring so you don't have to hunt them down when needed include:
- Floss
- Breath mints (personally, I don't chew gum on set. I stick to mints whenever possible but if you're a gum person, do you)
- Lotion
- Napkins
- Deodorant (be very careful when it comes to this item because you don't want to encounter chalky marks/residue on wardrobe, especially if it's not your own)
- Double-sided fashion tape
- Makeup wipes
- Compact mirror
- Travel manicure kit
I didn't include perfume/cologne because I've gotten into the habit of not wearing perfume to my gigs -- mainly when I know there's a wardrobe stylist and I'll be wearing clothing that are not my own. It isn't uncommon for stylists to keep tags on clothes in order to return them after a shoot and having someone's fragrance on the clothing could make it more difficult for them to do that.
In general, most stylists and especially designers (if you're modeling for one) will NOT want you to have any kind of fragrance or even deodorant or heavily scented lotion on your skin, to minimize the chances of having certain smells on the fabric or potential staining. This might sound gross but that's why we take showers before we go to work, people. It's not the end of the world. If you're an excessive sweater, let the wardrobe stylist know. They'll have workarounds for that since it does happen to a lot of people and isn't anything to be embarrassed about.
Shoes
To avoid lugging around a ton of shoes, get confirmation before each gig of what types of footwear you need to bring with you, if any. For the most part, ladies can get away with packing flats, close-toed pumps, strappy open-toe heels, and casual sneakers. For the guys, casual sneakers, boots, and dress shoes are the most commonly requested styles.
Again, the quantity, specific style(s) and colors are all going to vary from gig to gig. When it comes to colors, I opt for shoes in all white, all black, and tan/nude/taupe (for heels). I personally don't have multicolored shoes or (for example) bright colored shoes like red, blue, or purple because I've never needed them for the gigs I've done so I keep my footwear generic and super simple. Most times, it's been the wardrobe stylist who brought colorful shoes for me to wear onset so I didn't have to worry about buying them.
THE BOTTOM LINE
You might be thinking to yourself: "Dania, that sounds like a crapload of stuff...how am I supposed to bring all of that without looking like I'm moving in?!"
I know, I know...it seems overwhelming and at first, it is. But that's why it's crucial to start planning and experimenting with customizing your work bag(s) to see what makes the most sense for you. You might not need all of the things mentioned but you do need trial and error to develop a system that's convenient, practical, and easy to replicate. The more you do this and the more you prepare ahead of time, the less likely the chances are that you'll forget something or find yourself unable to remedy an issue if one pops up.
Despite how much stuff I've listed up top, I basically carry 1-2 garment bags and one medium sized tote bag that has all the things I need. So it can be done. Happy packing!
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