5 items I Keep in My Filmmaking Toolkit That Make My Life So Much Easier

The gear I actually use… and why you might want to, too.

Every filmmaker has their own version of a “must-have” kit, that little bag of lifesavers that somehow saves the day on every set. After a decade of directing, producing, and wearing every hat possible, I’ve learned that the right tools don’t just make you look prepared… they make the entire set run smoother.

So here are the Top 5 things I always carry with me. None of these are glamorous, but they’ve solved more problems than I can count.

Don’t worry, one of them is not going to be an Arri Alexa.

5. A Custom Lens Cleaning Kit

I know… not the sexiest item.

But listen, your lenses are the most expensive pieces of gear you own, and treating them right is non-negotiable.

Instead of buying one of those pre-packaged “cheap on Amazon” cleaning kits, I built my own:

• A heavy-duty zipper pouch

• High-quality lens cleaning solution

• Multiple microfiber cloths (each a different size)

• A rocket air blower

• And yes, an air duster gifted from our friends at Type S

What’s great about building a custom kit is simple:

Quality control.

You decide what touches your lenses. You pick the materials. And you trust it because you built it.

This kit has saved me countless headaches and prevented even more expensive mistakes.

The Type S Air Duster has saved the day MANY times on our sets where dust is imminent.

4. A Multi-Tool (Specifically the SmallRig Camera Tool)

I’ve tried a bunch of these over the years, but the SmallRig multi-tool is the one that never leaves my pocket.

It’s tiny, it’s durable, and every tool on it is actually relevant to filmmaking, no fluff, no useless pieces you’ll never unfold. Screws, cages, plates, odd little brackets… it handles the entire ecosystem.

If you’re working fast, switching setups, tightening loose screws on the fly, or solving mini-emergencies, this tool pays for itself in one day. I can’t count how many times I’ve saved time (and avoided embarrassment) because I had it on me.

3. A 50-Foot Stinger Extension Cable

Not a bright orange Home Depot extension cord.

A real stinger.

These are expensive, let’s get that out of the way.

But they last forever if you take care of them, and they immediately elevate your professionalism on set.

Why does it matter?

Because as your lighting package grows, your power needs do too. I bought my stingers when I was shooting with an Aputure 300. Today, we’re using it with an Aputure 1200, and it handles it without flinching.

Plus, no one wants to see an orange cord snaking through your hero shot. A real stinger keeps your set clean, safe, and industry-standard.

2. A Director’s Viewfinder

This one makes me feel old-school in the best way.

You don’t see director’s viewfinders on lower end commercial or indie sets much anymore, but over a decade ago, I invested in one, and it has never stopped paying off.

Here’s the magic:

Before anyone builds the camera, rigs it, or moves anything heavy, I already know exactly where I want it. I’ve already found the shot. I’ve already walked the frame.

In today’s world you can absolutely use apps on your phone and get similar results. But the principle is the same:

Anything that saves time on set is gold.

And a director’s viewfinder saves more time (and arguments) than almost any tool I own.

A light meter is a DP’s best friend.

1. My Sekonic Light Meter

Yes- you can use an app.

Yes- cameras today are insanely forgiving.

Yes- we’re shooting digital.

But nothing replaces a real light meter.

My Sekonic gives me total control of the scene. I understand my ratios, my shadows, my highlights, before the camera even rolls. And that understanding saves hours in post-production and helps me create images that feel intentional, not accidental.

A good light meter is like a superpower:

It teaches you to see light, not just react to it.

Final Thoughts

These tools don’t make you a better filmmaker on their own, but they make you a more prepared, more efficient, more confident one. And that’s half the battle.

If you want to elevate your workflow, your professionalism, or even just your sanity, start building your own toolkit. Little decisions add up… and sometimes a lens cloth or a stinger is the difference between chaos and a well-run set.