Louis James-Parker Louis James-Parker

PORTAL Beach Trolley Cart: A Secret Weapon for a videographer on a budget!

If you’re looking for a durable, versatile, and reliable trolley to make transporting heavy or bulky items easier, the PORTAL Beach Trolley Cart is an absolute must-have. Designed with all-terrain big wheels and a heavy-duty frame that supports up to 102kg, this trolley has been a game-changer for my video production work. Even better, it doubles as the perfect family companion for beach outings. Here’s my experience putting it to the test.

Video Production: Handles the Heavy Lifting

As a filmmaker, I often have to carry a lot of equipment to various locations. Recently, I used this trolley to navigate London, and it didn’t disappoint. I managed to load it with:

  • 1 x Aputure 300d & Dome

  • 1 x Light Stand

  • 5 x Astera Titans

  • 1 x Miller Tripod

  • 1 x Boom Arm

  • 1 x C-Stand

  • 1 x Large Extension Lead

  • 1 x Overnight Bag

This was quite a load - probably more than I’d typically recommend - but the PORTAL trolley handled it like a pro. The wide all-terrain wheels made it easy to manoeuvre over pavements and curbs, and the adjustable handle was comfortable to pull, even when fully loaded. I wouldn’t make a habit of overloading it like this, but it’s good to know it can handle the occasional heavy-duty job.


Why I Recommend the PORTAL Trolley

  1. Heavy-Duty Capacity: Its ability to carry up to 102kg makes it ideal for professional equipment and family outings.

  2. All-Terrain Wheels: Designed to handle sand, gravel, and uneven surfaces with ease.

  3. Compact Design: Folds down quickly for convenient storage.

  4. Durable Build: The steel frame and tough polyester fabric are built to last.

  5. Adjustable Handle: Comfortable for users of all heights, whether pulling or pushing.

While I wholeheartedly recommend this trolley, here are a few tips to get the best use out of it:

  • Don’t Overload It (Too Much): Although it handled my ambitious load during a shoot, I wouldn’t advise pushing it to its limits.

  • Secure Your Gear: Use bungee cords or straps to keep your equipment or beach supplies in place.

  • Clean It After Outdoor Use: A quick wipe-down keeps it looking and functioning like new.

This trolley is perfect for:

  • Filmmakers and Photographers: Transport lights, tripods, and stands with ease.

  • Parents: Make family outings to the beach or park hassle-free.

  • Event Planners: Move decorations and supplies effortlessly.

  • Outdoor Enthusiasts: Carry everything you need for camping, picnics, or festivals.

Final Thoughts


The PORTAL Beach Trolley Cart is far more than a garden or beach tool - it’s a versatile, robust solution for work and play. Whether I’m hauling gear for a video shoot or packing up for a family day at the beach, it’s made my life so much easier.

If you’re in need of a heavy-duty, all-terrain trolley that’s as reliable as it is practical, I can’t recommend this one enough!

https://amzn.to/4fHjxjo


Full Disclaimer: By clicking the links above, I may earn a commission. I only share and recommend tools and resources that I personally use and trust.


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Louis James-Parker Louis James-Parker

Celebrating a Milestone: My First Award at the Royal Television Society East Awards

Friday night marked a significant milestone in my career as I received my very first award! The event was nothing short of spectacular, filled with incredible talent, creativity, and inspiring personalities. The Royal Television Society East Awards, held annually, celebrate the exceptional work in television and digital media across the region. This year, I was honoured to accept an award for Owen Pick's 'Moving Forward' in the Short Form Digital category.

The Event: A Night to Remember

The Royal Television Society East Awards ceremony was an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere was electric, with a gathering of some of the most talented individuals in the industry. The event highlighted the high standards of work being produced in our region, and it was an incredible honour to be part of such a prestigious gathering.

Our Achievement: Recognition for 'Moving Forward'

'Moving Forward,' the project I directed, was recognised for its brave directorial decisions and compelling, cinematic storytelling. The judges commended our entry, and receiving such high praise was both humbling and exhilarating. It’s moments like these that remind us why we pour our hearts and souls into our work.

Acknowledging the Team: Gratitude and Thanks

Achieving this award was not a solo effort. I am deeply grateful to Owen Pick, whose inspiring story was the foundation of our film. Without your narrative, 'Moving Forward' would not exist. Additionally, I extend my thanks to Jeff Moberg for the outstanding sound design and Cam Sander for the vibrant colour work—you both brought the film to life in ways I could only imagine.

A special mention also goes to Jo Bird for the unwavering support and encouragement throughout this journey. Your belief in me and the project was instrumental in bringing it to fruition.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead

Winning this award is a significant milestone, but it is also a stepping stone for future projects. The recognition from the Royal Television Society East Awards has fuelled my passion and determination to continue creating compelling stories. I am excited for what the future holds and look forward to sharing more of our work with the world.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. Here’s to many more stories and successes!

#RoyalTelevisionSocietyEastAwards
#AwardWinningFilmmaker
#ShortFormDigitalCategory
#OwenPicksMovingForward
#CinematicStorytelling
#DirectorialDecisions
#TelevisionAndDigitalMedia
#FilmmakingAchievements

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Louis James-Parker Louis James-Parker

Owen Pick Film nominated for the RTS East Awards!

I'm thrilled to share that my short film 🎬 , "Moving Forward - Owen Pick" has been nominated for the Royal Television East Awards! 🏆

Thanks to everyone who was involved in making it happen!

The competition is tough, but it’s an incredible honour just to be nominated. Best of luck to all the nominees - I'm looking forward to the awards evening 🍾 🥂

The RTS East awards ceremony is being hosted at the historic Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge, on 21st June, 2024. My fingers are crossed!

If you haven’t seen the film, watch it here -


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Louis James-Parker Louis James-Parker

Highly Commended in the Freelancer of the Year category - Bury Free Press Business Awards

I’m delighted to say I was given the highly Commended award in the ‘Freelancer of the Year’ category at the Bury Free Press Business Awards.

It celebrates business success across the district from individuals who have made a remarkable difference, to start-ups on their way to the top, and lifetime achievers who have overseen decades of success.



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Louis James-Parker Louis James-Parker

Video production with digital marketing in mind

Video production is an essential aspect of digital marketing. It provides a creative way to tell your story, share your message, and engage with your audience. However, video production is not just about creating engaging content. It's also about optimizing your videos to rank high in search engines and reach a broader audience.

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the process of optimizing your website and online content to rank higher in search engine results. The higher your content ranks in search engines, the more likely people are to find it, watch it, and share it. This is why it's essential to have a strong SEO strategy in place when producing your videos.

Here are some tips for optimizing your video production for SEO:

  1. Keyword research

Before producing your video, it's important to do keyword research. This involves finding out which keywords your target audience is searching for and incorporating those keywords into your video content. Keyword research helps you understand what your audience is looking for and how you can reach them with your video content.

  1. Optimize video titles and descriptions

The title and description of your video play a crucial role in how search engines rank your video. The title of your video should be short, catchy, and contain your target keywords. The description should provide a brief overview of what the video is about and include relevant keywords.

  1. Transcribe your videos

Transcribing your videos can improve their SEO by making the content of your video accessible to search engines. Transcribing your videos also provides closed captioning for viewers who are hearing impaired.

  1. Create a video sitemap

A video sitemap is an XML file that provides search engines with information about your videos, including the video title, description, and URL. Creating a video sitemap makes it easier for search engines to crawl and index your videos, improving their SEO.

  1. Promote your videos

Finally, it's essential to promote your videos and get them in front of your target audience. Share your videos on social media, embed them on your website, and reach out to relevant websites to ask if they would be interested in featuring your videos.

In conclusion, video production with SEO in mind is essential for reaching a wider audience and increasing your search engine visibility. By incorporating these tips into your video production strategy, you can optimize your videos and reach your target audience with engaging, relevant content.

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