We often fixate on big purchases like cameras, lenses, support, audio, etc. But what about the bits and pieces that an Indie filmmaker would want to have along - just in case.

Let's brainstorm. Here's a start...

Human factors
* Water
* Granola bars
* Aspirin
* Antacid
* Sunglasses
* Hat
* Sunscreen
* "moleskin" for blisters

Camera (Camera, grip gear, media, monitor, clapper board a given)
* Bottled air and/or blower
* Brush
* Lens wipes
* Black cloth (for protecting the LCD in direct sunlight)
* LCD hood (for monitor in sunlight)
* Filters (ND, Polarizers, Diffusion)
* Spare, charged batteries
* Charger

Lighting support (Lights, stands, sandbags a given)
* Gaffers Tape
* Black Foil
* Gels
* Gloves
* C47s (clothespins)

Exposure/WB/framing tools
* Gray card
* White card
* Light meter
* Expo Disc
* Director's viewfinder
* DOF calculator

Audio (mics, wind protection, recorder, boom, headphones a given)
* Various Adapters (in case of recording from a board.)
* Spray bottle (to silence newspapers in a scene)
* Spare cables
* Spare batteries
* Charger(s)

Electrical
* Stingers (extension cords)
* Multi-outlet splitters
* Euro/US adapters
* Ground tester

Makeup
* Powder
* Brush

So... what did I miss?

We shoot a lot in the dark, so we have enough mini flashlights for each camera position plus a few spares, as well as a mini toolkit in each bag consisting of various screwdrivers, pliers and wire cutters sufficient to persuade a balky tripod or two. Plus both a 100' and a 30' tape measure.

Leatherman (tm) tool and belt pouch
Behringer cable tester (compact, inexpensive audio cable tester)
9 volt and AA batteries stuck away someplace, always needed
for something unexpected...

What, you mean other than at least one good eye?

To add to the "human factors," especially in travel instances: Immodium, rain poncho, trash bags/bin liners

Another thing to add... cough lozenges. I had a scratchy throat on one shoot and it was terrible trying to hold back coughs. At a few points, I simply needed to leave the set.

...and aeroguard (fly mossie repellant) for outdoors a must downunder

Never leave home without the knee pads and a bottle of pain killers. Never can tell when these bones are going to start giving out. And not to make it sound like we're doing anything overly dangerous, I generally have gauze tape with me, along with gaffer tape, painters tape, and duct tape. Another thing I didn't see down there is chalk.

A small, waterproof, tarp could also be helpful. If you want to get low, it could keep you from needing to lay in the mud. It can also provide a place to assemble equipment out in the field.

BTW, for backpacking - and filmmaking - I like having an over-exhaustive list. I can always choose to skip an item for a given trip or shoot. And with *everything* on the list, it helps ensure that you don't fail to think of something important.

Some additional things for the makeup side of things - especially for corporate interviews:

* Comb
* Scissors
* Gel
* Spray
* Shaving kit
* Iron and towel (make-shift ironing board.)
* Lint roller.

It's not about getting a look. It's about eliminating distracting flaws.