Cinematographers travel with a lot of equipment, and it all looks scary when viewed through an airport x-ray machine. That’s why every time they fly somewhere and unpack the gear bag that’s been checked, they’ll pull out one of these:
I don’t consider myself a cinematographer, though I’ve done a fair amount of shooting for A Life’s Work and for other people’s films, but on my last solo shoot it was with great pleasure that I found the above in my tripod case. Thank you, Transportation Security Administration, for making feel, if not secure, at least like I’ve arrived.
Karen O
Ha ha ha – brilliant…
Weirdly, I’ve found that if you’re bringing back fetishes and voodoo dolls from the Democratic Republic of Congo, or any of a variety of decorative items from the Middle East, you’ll also discover one of these in your bag.
David Licata
Thanks, Karen O.
I’m not sure there’s any rhyme or reason to it. I understand checking the cinematographers gear, there’s a lot of stuff in those bags that looks suspicious (tubes, wires, dimmers, all sorts of things), but voodoo dolls?
And by the way, can you pick me up one next time you go? I have some people I need to settle a score with. 😉
Karen O
Heh, I was joking about it seeming weird… I think they probably check most bags coming from those regions, let alone those stuffed with fetishes…
Sure, I can bring you a voodoo doll – or I can commission a professional to do the work for you (see France’s performance in this year’s World Cup, following their handball against Ireland in the qualifiers… not a coincidence that I happened to be living in the Central African Republic – world voodoo hq – at the time…)
David Licata
I think I’d rather fool around with the voodoo doll myself. Nothing like a clueless guy messing about with the supernatural!
Jen
I got one of those the last time I flew, BWI to CMH. I think it was the combo of knitting needles and hair dryer. Obviously, I’m dangerous.
David Licata
Nice to see you here, Jen.
Knitting needles are VERY dangerous. Didn’t you see the first Halloween movie, where Jamie Lee Curtis stabs Michael Meyers with one?