THE BLACKWATER
OUTDOORS
PROTOCOL
The 10-Point System to a Zero-Failure Shoot
"Amateurs pack a bag. Professionals run a protocol.
Failure is a choice—it's a failure of process."
PHASE 1: THE MISSION
Your gear is worthless if your story is weak.
1. The "One-Sentence" Mission: What is the single, clear point of this video?
2. The 3 "Pillar" Shots: What are the three non-negotiable shots you must capture?
3. Confirm The "Why": Why will anyone care? What value/emotion are you delivering?
PHASE 2: THE KIT
"Good enough" is how you fail.
4. Visual Integrity: 3x Power, 2x Media. (One battery is zero. Two is one.)
5. Audio Integrity: The "Blind Spot Check." Pack headphones. Monitoring is not optional.
6. Power Redundancy: Every cable for every device, plus a charged power bank.
7. The "Go-Bag" Lock: Tripod plate / mount is physically attached to the camera.
PHASE 3: "GO" SIGNAL
The final barrier to failure.
8. The "Test Record" Proof: Record 10s. Play it back. Check audio/focus.
9. The "Idiot Check": Keys. Wallet. Phone. Gas in the car.
10. The "Last Look": Walk out, count to 10, walk back in. "What did I forget?"