Kevin Miranda
Founder at - TravelingenHi, this is Kevin, your travel guide. I’m a travel freak who already visited 30 countries worldwide. I’ve created this site, Travelingen, for all travel...Read more
Kevin Miranda
Founder at - TravelingenHi, this is Kevin, your travel guide. I’m a travel freak who already visited 30 countries worldwide. I’ve created this site, Travelingen, for all travel...Read more
More often than not, movies demand a certain amount of suspension of disbelief from viewers. And in most cases, we are more than happy to oblige. But, I don’t know about you, but I certainly cannot hide my scoff whenever I see a normal-build character hold up a big-size suitcase without any struggle. Of course, that’s because that bag is empty. But this begs the question: why are suitcases always empty in movies?
The reason lies in its practicality. Suitcases are always empty in movies for practical reasons, such as easing the physical demands on actors and making the sound recording much clearer. Besides, empty suitcases can offer flexibility for rapidly changing scene requirements. In fact, it can also serve as a symbolic visual cue.
These are the reasons in a nutshell. However, I am afraid you are still a little bit confused. Well, no worries! I am going to explain the whole thing to you to the best of my ability in this article. So, let’s not waste any more time and begin unraveling the enigma of why suitcases are always empty in movies.
Why Are Suitcases Always Empty In Movies?
So, you have also noticed that movie suitcases often appear mysteriously empty, right? It’s a small but peculiar detail that has sparked curiosity among avid moviegoers. Thus, whether it’s a gripping action sequence or a heartwarming departure, these seemingly hollow suitcases continue to intrigue us and make us wonder: Why are bags always empty in films?
Well, there is more than one explanation for this question that we can consider:
Practicality
The most logical and simplest explanation is that keeping the suitcase empty while shooting a sequence in a movie makes the whole process much more practical and manageable. Think about it like this:
Filming is a complex and demanding process. It takes multiple takes to shoot a scene, especially when you remember that a single scene is often shot from various angles. Now, putting actual items in a suitcase will make the bag heavier or bulkier.
Now imagine acting in a scene several times while holding a piece of bulky luggage in your hand. Even the most muscular and fit actor or actress will tell you it is highly uncomfortable and makes acting the scene much harder.
Besides, an empty suitcase is a blessing for the crew of a movie set. It spares them from handling an unnecessarily heavy load repeatedly. It also minimizes the risks of getting injuries or strains while working.
Sound Considerations
Clear sound quality is crucial in filmmaking. However, the sound quality of a scene can be disturbed if the suitcase used in the set is actually stuffed instead of empty. Are you wondering how a bag full of things can disrupt a scene’s sound quality?
The logic here is simple enough. When we put real objects inside suitcases, they can create unwanted noise during dialogue recording as they shift and produce distracting sounds when actors handle them.
Empty suitcases, on the other hand, do not have this audio issue. So, by using empty bags, the movie-makers avoid all that unwanted noise and keep the focus on the conversation or any other sounds required to make the scene work.
Logistics And Continuity
You may or may not know this, but films are hardly ever shot in a chronological sequence. Therefore, to maintain the continuity of the scenes shot out of sequence, the filmmakers need to ensure that all their props stay the same.
An empty suitcase is a practical solution for this. It enables filmmakers to exercise complete control over the story’s consistency. The weight, appearance, and handling can remain consistent with empty bags throughout different shots and scenes.
This approach is a great way to ensure viewers will not get distracted by changes in the suitcase’s contents. This allows the viewers the opportunity to stay focused solely on the characters and the narrative. In this way, empty suitcases contribute to your seamless viewing experience and help maintain the flow of the story.
Storytelling Convenience
So far, I have given you many practical explanations for the empty suitcases in movies. But sometimes, as a viewer, you can take a scene from a movie or even a simple prop used in the film and find a great sense of profoundness to it.
Therefore, in this regard, it won’t be farfetched if we claim that the empty suitcase often assumes the role of a visual symbol or prop, reflecting a character’s journey or state of mind. It can serve as a symbolic representation, which conveys emotions such as emptiness, uncertainty, or the readiness for a fresh start.
By intentionally leaving the suitcase devoid of contents, filmmakers try to amplify these thematic elements. This creative choice enhances storytelling by visually communicating deeper meanings, subtly guiding your perception, and contributing to your cinematic experience.
What Is The Typical Weight Of An Average Suitcase?
Now that you know why the filmmakers may keep their suitcases empty, let’s be clear about another thing. Just because nothing is put in the bag, it does not mean that the suitcase is weightless. This is not how it works. Even an empty bag also has some weight. Now you are probably frowning and wondering: how much could it be?
You can find this answer in great detail in my article “How Heavy Is The Average Suitcase?”
Hey! If you don’t want to spend a few extra minutes reading another article, that’s fine too! Allow me to share the cliff’s note version with you.
The weight of any luggage will depend on its design, size, materials, and even brand. Thus, unless you have all this information, you obviously cannot determine the accurate weight of a suitcase. However, we only need to guess an average estimation, not a precise proclamation. So, here are some average weight measures of suitcases of varying sizes:
- An under-seat soft side suitcase typically weighs around 5.78 lbs (2.62 kg) on average.
- On average, a soft side carry-on suitcase weighs approximately 6.55 lbs (2.97 kg).
- A medium-sized checked suitcase has an average weight of approximately 8.63 lbs (3.91 kg).
- The average weight of a large checked suitcase is around 9.91 lbs (4.50 kg).
So, now you know what amount of weight the actors and actresses carry in their scenes even though their suitcases are actually empty.
And since we are already discussing luggage weight, let us give you a special recommendation for a lightweight suitcase with heavyweight protection. Yeah, we are talking about Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Luggage. This stylish-looking luggage of Samsonite not only comes in several different colors but also has a 10-year limited warranty. So, go and check it out right now!
How To Carry 3 Rolling Suitcases?
An often-found scene in a movie is of one of the characters traveling comfortably while carrying around two or three pieces of luggage. Watching these scenes in the film, we don’t always question them, but that’s because we know deep down that these luggage are mostly empty. However, the situation is very different when we have to do the same in real life.
In real life, carrying around three heavily packed rolling suitcases is not an easy job. But don’t worry. Difficult does not translate to impossible, and therefore, allow us to show you how to carry three rolling suitcases with the ease you only see in the movies:
Stack Them Together
If you somehow have three suitcases that are more or less the same size and build, you can stack them together, one on top of the other. Chronologically, place the largest one at the bottom, the medium, and the smallest at the top. Use luggage straps or bungee cords to tie and secure the three pieces of luggage together.
Make Use Of The Luggage Trolley
If you are heading to the airport, you are sure to find the option of using the luggage trolleys available there. Considering your trolley is large enough, place two of your suitcases on the trolley and use the handle to maneuver them. You can use a luggage strap or bungee cords to secure the third suitcase on top of the stacked suitcases.
Distribute The Load
While traveling with more than one piece of luggage with you, it is always recommended to distribute the overall load equally among all three of your luggage. This will help ensure you don’t put too much weight into single luggage, making it harder to carry.
Besides, there is the airport luggage weight limit to consider as well. If they find that one of your luggage is overweight, you may need to pay an extra fine even if your other luggage is way under the weight limit. So, pack smart and keep this limit in mind.
End Notes
Well, we have unraveled the mystery of the day: why are suitcases always empty in movies? Now, you know that it is because of some very practical reasons that make the filmmaking experience much easier and your viewing experience a lot better.
So, the next time you spot a character nonchalantly carrying around an empty suitcase in a movie, don’t be turned off by this or spend the entire movie trying to find the logistics behind it. This article should be enough to make you understand the symbolism and practical reasons behind it.
Hi, this is Kevin, your travel guide. I’m a travel freak who already visited 30 countries worldwide. I’ve created this site, Travelingen, for all travel enthusiasts to provide the latest tips, tricks, reviews, and solution guides and help them to track down the best options for their next trip. Especially here on this site, I’m going to help people to select the right luggage and backpacks for their next trip. Hope you are gonna stick around and learn some of the cool stuffs that i wish i had known when i first started traveling. Bon Voyage!
More Posts