Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/933783
C A S Q U A R T E R L Y W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 51 WHAT ABOUT BAGS? Like Amanda mentioned about Marcos Contreras, follow carts are not always an available or practical option for organizing some production sound mixers' equipment. Often, portable run-bags are deployed for the recording package and the accessory package. Working with Danny Maurer has taught me a lot about a different, yet more common sector of production sound where this lighter, portable option is the norm. He reflects, "In our industry, a lot can happen in a moment's notice. A scene that was previously MOS is now full of ad-lib lines. A scene that was supposed to take place outside the car now takes place inside a moving one and 'we're going to add the entire ensemble to this scene'— everything and anything can change. So, as team members in this collaborative tango, we strive to accommodate the shot, whatever it may take. This obsession of always being as prepared as possible for anything that comes our way leads us to acquiring a myriad of different tools and techniques to tackle any problem. Having all these tools and tricks up our sleeve is useless unless we are able to deploy them quickly and efficiently without breaking a sweat in front of our teammates. In my workflow, whether it be working with my equipment or working utility for someone else, I'm always searching for places to shave off seconds." His K-Tek Stingray Junior bag is like no other I have ever seen. It may look similar to others' bags, but a closer look inside reveals subtle differences and many unconventional utilizations of components. This bag and his custom-made apple box are the centerpieces of his organized operation. MY BAG: "The examples here outline a flexibility shortcoming that I identified with the [Sound Devices] 633. When working with larger numbers of ensembles, sometimes transmitters need to hop around from person to person. In an effort to keep track names consistent with receiving channels, I've built a patchbay that converts all inputs to TA3. This allows all the inputs to be interchangeable and implements an overall uniform I/O workflow to the bag." MY APPLE BOX: "This design was a collaborative endeavor with sound mixer Jonathan Lallouz. We were striving to make the most versatile on-set utility box. At the time, I was doing a lot of utility work where, not only would I need a place to land my boom on set, but I would also need to have tape rolls, lav boxes, two or three different types of spare batteries, spare lavs and transmitters, spare Comteks and headphones and a different type or two of mics to switch out. Having all of these tools quickly on hand and easily accessible was an enormous help on a number of different features over the summer and saved countless trips back to the follow cart." CONCLUSION Organization comes out of necessity for efficiency, as well as sometimes for sanity. All of our little sound bits need a safe home that allows them to play every day in a variety of environments. I hope this article's words and images encourage other members of the sound community to shape their own organization. You have a lot of options in front of you and if this can nudge your imagination in the direction of accomplishing your organizational bliss, then I am pleased. Enjoy your trips to The Container Store. Thank you Amanda Beggs and Danny Maurer for your insight and photographs. I admire you both so much and am open to borrowing and sharing ideas anytime! • Left: Maurer's fully loaded bag. Above: Apple box