How to Pack 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.
If you’re in broadcast news, you need to be able to move quickly when news breaks.
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
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