Packed: Jake McCann
Photographs by Kane Lehanneur.
presented by our friends at Manhattan portage.
What does one take with them?
The tools of a trade, the comforts of home, the necessities of an unexpected life - we are fascinated by what our favourite people choose to take with them on their journey. Jake McCann, the photographer and filmmaker from New South Wales, Australia, chooses a slew of items both expected and unexpected - eye glasses, time keepers, a Bolex H16, and more, all packed neatly, safely, and conveniently in his Manhattan Portage Aperture and Chelsea Drum bags. Find out about him and what he considers a necessity down below.
Hey Jake, who are you and what do you do?
My name is Jake McCann and I say the word filmmaker but really that’s a somewhat self-proclaimed title as it sounds more polished than videographer, so I’m running with it.
How long have you been a filmmaker and what inspired you to get into it?
As a partly stable career venture, only four years, but I do remember submitting films to my high school film fest so I’d argue it’s been at least a decade more. What inspired the transition more recently was a series of serendipitous events leading to some great opportunities in filmmaking, and at the heart of it lies the desire to share stories of substance that help us connect.
You have a very specific aesthetic, what kind of camera gear do you lean towards?
If budget allows and the client is down, shooting on film is always preferred. I lean heavily on the Bolex for the majority of those shoots and it always delivers beautiful results.
What is your favorite camera and where did you get it?
The Bolex H16 (non-reflex) would be the top pick. I’d bought it from eBay maybe six years ago wanting to upgrade from 8mm and haven’t looked back, been the true workhorse.
What's the 'just in case' item you always pack in case you find yourself in a pickle?
Kind of uneventful but I’ll always pack the little v-lock battery. Has all the ports so I always find it comes in handy to charge something on long days.
Are you a methodical and considered packer, or do you just shove everything in and hope for the best?
Absolutely methodical, folded neatly and over packed every time. I’d wear the same shirt nearly every day too, but that’s never changed my packing mentality.
What's the most unusual item you've accidentally packed by mistake when wrapping up a shoot?
Slightly off-course, but in heading to New Zealand for a film premiere for the Monster Children Short Film Awards, one of the crew unknowingly had a brown tree snake in his bag which we thought was a prank from his son, laughing at how real the fake looked. Made it all the way back up to Australia before we realised.
Thanks Jake, what's next for you?
I have some personal projects I’d love to bring to life but in all honesty, with our daughter closing in on one, I’m just stoked I can make a living doing what I enjoy all the while being home with our young family.
Aesop Parfum
Notebook
Light metre
Pocket road mic
V-lock battery
USB converter
Bolex H16
Running gear
Kodak 16mm film
Spare glasses
10mm Bolex Lens
Cheap AirPods
Hard drive.
I Dream of Joni
MacBook Pro
MacBook charger
Manhattan Portage Aperture Camera Bag
Manhattan Portage large Chelsea Drum Bag
Check out the full Manhattan Portage range here.
