See Inside a TV Reporter’s ‘Go-Bag’

Broadcast correspondents need to be able to go anywhere on a moment’s notice. Here’s what they always have packed.

NBC News producer Abby Godard shared what she keeps inside her “Go-Bag,” a bag (or actually, several bags) that she keeps nearby at all times in case news breaks and she has to travel unexpectedly.

THE BAG / (+ bags inside the bag)

• A backpack and a shoulder bag. These should be large, spacious bags that you can cram a lot of things into in a pinch and still zipper shut — something like a diaper bag or “mom purse.”
• Cable organizer bag. This is a small zippered pouch, often with a hard case, for storing all the extra cords, batteries and connectors you might need for your electronic equipment. I recommend having two.
• Fannypack. These can be helpful for keeping small necessities nearby when you’re on the scene.

TECH

• IFB splitter: This is a connector that allows you to get a broadcast microphone and earpiece to work with your phone.
• 2 Mifis (AT&T, Verizon): These are small cellular hotspots that you can use to upload stories, photos and videos while keeping your regular cell phone charged and available for use. I carry two that are on different networks in case one has a stronger signal in a particular area.
• Various charging cables and blocs: This is just a spare battery for your equipment that you can use when you aren’t near an outlet.
• Portable phone charging block
• USB and USB-C cables, accompanying blocs
• Computer charger (your correspondent may have a different computer than you, so make sure they’re covered)
• Adaptors (car and regular outlet): You can get a small power inverter that will turn the car outlet into a standard electrical outlet.
• Power strip (for distance trips in the field)
• Extension cord (for distance trips in the field)

COSMETIC

• Back-up makeup that matches the correspondent’s skin tone
• Hair spray
• Dry shampoo
• Lint roller
• Deodorant
• Hair ties
• Brush/comb (make sure to have one dedicated to each correspondent and do not mix)
• Bobby pins
• Double-sided fashion tape
• Makeup setting spray (super important when it’s over 80 degrees and your correspondent is sweating under the lights or a balmy summer day)

OFFICE SUPPLIES

• Reporter’s notebook
• Dry erase marker / portable white board (to write down the anchors’ names for the corresponding local TV station and the hit time for the correspondent — for example, “WRC / Jim and Shawn / 1600”)
• Pens, sharpies
• Safety pins
• Paper clips
• Mini stapler
• Tape — masking and scotch

MISCELLANEOUS

• White balancing cards
• Mints/gum
• Hand sanitizer
• Hand lotion
• Mask(s)
• Snacks/water (find out what your crew likes)
• First aid kit
• Band-Aids, gaus, disinfecting wipes
• Advil, Ibuprofen, allergy meds, etc.
• Emergen-C/Liquid I.V.
• Sunscreen, bug spray (seasonal)

PERSONAL

• Keep a blazer in work closet in case of emergency (for example, needing to go to Capitol Hill or the White House)
• Keep sneakers in work closet in case of emergency
• Change of clothes
• Sweater or sweatshirt
• Hat, gloves: Seasonal, but I always keep an extra beanie and baseball cap in my desk for rainy/windy liveshots. Keep in mind you may suddenly be in a very different climate if you are sent across the country for news.
• Undergarments
• Toothbrush, toothpaste

“I wanted to be a journalist because I like to ask questions. And I like the idea that someone might feel responsible for answering them.” — Gwen Ifill