20 Essentials For A Well-Stocked Production Office

When producing a remote event, few things are as frustrating as not having the appropriate tools at your disposal when you need them. In the heat of battle, the act of acquiring something as simple as a tape measure can become a herculean proposition. Conversely, having an appropriately stocked production office can be the deciding factor that makes your entire production a smooth (and hopefully enjoyable) affair. But how would one define “well stocked”? Although hardly an exhaustive list, I've detailed twenty items that any well-equipped production office/go-kit should contain below, as well as the reasoning behind each selection.

1) Chalk – useful for marking equipment locations prior to setup, and creating impromptu directional signage on walkways. Just keep it away from the more mischievous members of your staff, lest you have chalk body outlines lining your event area (I speak from experience).

2) Gaff Tape – The production managers best friend, used for marking, labeling, repairing, and yes, even holding down the occasional cable. Get as many rolls and colors as you can afford.

3) Sharpie Markers – Necessary for writing out passes, impromptu signage, and the marking the hands of unruly crowd-surfers (I'll explain this at a later date).

4) Digital Camera – Capturing crowd shots, creating credential photos, and documenting any unfortunate damage that may occur.

5) Tape measure – This one is self-explanatory. You can save yourself a ton of time and headaches by measuring that couch before you try to jam it into the dressing room. 25 Ft length at minimum.

6) Small Note Pad – Need to dash off a quick note, do a simple calculation, or make a list for your next supply run? A pocket sized notepad and pen are your best friend. Smart phones are great, but you'll end up duplicating efforts and/or wasting time in the end.

7) First Aid Kit – You'd thing think this was an obvious inclusion, yet you'd be surprised how many times I've had to improvise with paper towel and masking tape due to the lack of a simple Band Aid.

8 ) Extra Print Cartridges – Portable printers have become a godsend to event production. Unfortunately, the ink cartridges in most commercial units last roughly as long as Jack Daniels does at a Poison after-show party. Make sure you have a spare with you at all times.

9) Generic Receipt Book – Depending on your printing capabilities, a receipt book may be optional. Regardless, you should have some means of documenting smaller financial transactions, especially for those instances when your staff needs to purchase production-related items out of pocket. Although your accounting department may disagree, the loss of a receipt should not prevent your staff from being reimbursed when they submit expense reports. Provide them with a receipt and fight that battle for them. They did you a favor after all.

10) Petty Cash – Have as much hard currency on hand as is reasonable and/or safe. It's much easier than playing the remote credit card game with your runners, and a lifesaver when you encounter unforeseen necessities.

11) Power Strip / Extension Cord – Depending on your production office setup, you may be yards away from the nearest power outlet, and with everyone carrying a cell phone, blackberry, laptop, and printer, you'll need all the outlets you can get.

12) Foam Earplugs – Perhaps not necessary in all environments. If they are, get yourself a box (they're cheap) and hand them out liberally to whoever may need or request them. Added PR bonus – keep a handful in your pocket hand give them to kids in the crowd who's parents didn't have the good sense to provide them with ear protection.

13) Business Cards – You never know who you may run across during your event. Also works as a quick and dirty access pass when necessary – write your name and phone/radio number on the card, and have your guest show the card to security when they arrive. At minimum, the guard will be able to call you to confirm and/or track you down.

14) Zip Ties – Ideally a bag of each size, but given they're pricey I'd settle for a bag of the midsized ones. The duct tape of the production world, you'll find unlimited uses for zip ties. One of my former venues was practically held together with them.

15) Selection of extra batteries – as is the case on Christmas morning, you'll never be able to find a battery when you need them. Don't trust your gut...have extras of all sizes on hand.

16) Extra pair(s) of socks (and shoes if possible) – When you've been on your feet for hours, nothing short of a shower is as refreshing as a new pair of socks, and if possible, shoes. Trust me on this one.

17) Clothes line – Good for hanging signage, tying down tents/tarps, temporarily securing gates, and restraining unruly guests (I'm kidding about the last part...sort of).

18) Bull Horn – Although the most expensive item on the list, a bull horn is critical if you're producing a mid-to-large scale event. Should you lose power or otherwise need to communicate to a large group in a noisy environment, it's about the only way to ensure that your communication is getting across. Make sure you have extra batteries (see #15).

19) Flash Light – Aside from the obvious uses, a flashlight can serve as a crowd-control tool (directing), communication tool (signaling), and means of identification in a large group.

20) Throat lozenges – You're going to be talking and/or yelling for most of your day. If your throat isn't shredded by the end of the evening, you're doing something wrong.

Think of something I should have included? I'd love to hear your suggestions in our comments section below.