Time to make stuff, again. What should I buy?

Hello, and welcome to Fall 2009. I know everyone currently working in NYC, LA, ATL, and now CHICAGO (Way to go "Mr. Editing Workflow" Paul Smith off to Tower Productions!!) will get all nostalgic about this. If any of you want to comment, send to me and I'll be happy to post it.

So, what do I need?

- Gloves. Yes, a good pair of gloves. Setwear (available through Barbizon http://www.barbizon.com/home/index.cfm, or Studio Depot http://www.studiodepot.com/store/) is my preferred brand. They are expensive, but worth it. If you are going to grip and pull cables, get heavy duty gloves (leather ones from Home Depot or Lowes will work). Handling lights? The Setwear "heat resistant" gloves work well, but don't think you can just grab white-hot objects with them and not feel some heat, or eventually burn your fingers. If you're working with equipment such as meters, audio recorders, etc. then get yourself some palm-padded, fingerless gloves to operate small buttons but still have some protection. Gloves are essential.

- Battery tester. $3.95 at Radio Shack. I've had mine for 15 years. Is the battery good? Why not test it...especially before you go out in the field.

- Cargo Bungees. They tie stuff, support stuff, hold doors open, mount small cameras to cars and ceilings, and are a fairly handy weapon in a pinch.

- A multi-tool. Leatherman, SOG, whatever. Tools are good.

- A multi-input storage drive. Yes, you can get USB 02 drives for dirt cheap at many stores around town, but here's the reality: you need a firewire-based, high-speed drive. Currently, the only drives truly well-rated for SD, HDV, and HD are the G-RAID series (http://www.g-technology.com/index.cfm). Aside from a full raid system for my work at home, the MINI and MINI 02 drives have the proper spin rate and power options for work you'll be doing (I have 7...one actually acts as a spare operating system that I can take to any MAC and use all of my applications). No, they are not a big ol' 1TB, but learn to organize and you won't NEED a big 1TB drive...ask Speas or Paul.

- C-47's, Hello Kitty's, door stops, etc. As many expendables as you can afford!

Remember, creating visual stories isn't for the classroom only. Keep writing, shooting, etc. This stuff helps.