I’m an organized person. Some people think I have OCD. I think I’m prepared. The plain fact is, that if you organize your shooting kit ahead of time, you won’t have that panicked Radio Shack run-of-shame we’ve all had to do before. So, here’s 10 things you need in your video camera bag.

1. Spare Battery – This one’s obvious. One camera battery is not acceptable. I don’t care if it runs 10 hours, you will certainly drop it one day or forget to charge it.

2. Headphones – I use full cans for the most part, but I leave a rolled up pair of earbuds in all of our kits. These have saved my butt like 10 times.

3. Spare Media/Tape – An oldie but a goodie. If you’re tapeless, you definitely need at least 2 media cards. I don’t care how much they hold. Again, freak things happen.

4. Small flashlight – Are you always looking through the crevices of your portabrace using your phone as your light? Not anymore you’re not.

5. Stick Mic or Wired lav – You have your fancy pants wireless and mixer separate, but what if that “b-roll only” shoot inevitably becomes a “b-roll plus can I get some sound from that dude” kind of shoot. Don’t forget the XLR. I have an EV RE50 stick mic or a Sony ECM-77 lav.

6. Lens cleaning cloth – Self explanatory

7. White balance card – John showed us a really nice way to hide a white card in your lens cap.

8. Spare batteries AA’s or 9v’s. – Your wireless will use them, and it’s a good possibility you forgot to bring ‘em.

9. Head cleaner – Wow, I’m showing my age, or at least my pension for crummy old gear. I’ve had to use one of these before on set. It usually accompanies a large amount of sweating.

10. AC Power supply w/ extension cable – Your batteries have been stolen or are dead. It’s not very practical, but you can get any shot you need if you’re within 50 ft of a power outlet. Let’s hope it does not come to this.

Honorable Mentions -

Spare clean shirt – You know who you are.

A Pen – Yep, a pen.

Go ahead and add your camera bag essentials in the comments.