I'm currently working on my first ever video podcast.  I'm excited about it.  It'll be focused on gender in the media.  I watched a video yesterday that just got me angry.  And now I feel like I need to say something about it.  So I'm producing a podcast.  It's been fun so far, but I'm not sure how I want to handle it.  I've got one camera, and it's the one that's built in to my iMac.  To use it for podcasting, there's a lot of crap I have to go through.  Plus, anyone who knows me knows I want to put out a nice looking production.  So I set up a portable blue screen and after recording it, did a chroma key on the footage, which worked better than I thought it would.  However, the video taken off the camera has to be rendered by final cut, which takes forever.  Also, I have no decent mic, so I have to use a rock band mic to get decent sound.  Essentially what I'm saying is that it's a pain in the ass to do right now.  I'm hoping to change that as time passes.

I've been looking tonight online for cheap digital video cameras that may be used.  Unfortunately, no one on ebay is selling for less than 100 bucks.  Plus, craigslist is just as bad.  These cameras are old people.  They don't sell MiniDV cameras anymore unless you look for them.  So...don't expect me to pay $100 or more dollars for something like that.  A flip camera in standard def sells for $130.  If I had a choice between a tape based camcorder that's old and used vs a tapeless web video camera with decent video that's brand new, I'll take the brand new one.

Unfortunately this argument is moot anyway.  Anyone who's seen my budget knows I cannot afford either.  If it was a 30 dollar estate sale, I might be able to swing it and write it off as a business expense.  Otherwise, I'm fucked.  Anyone have a digital camera that they're willing to donate?  I'd say even an old school Hi8 or something, but unfortunately I have no way of bringing that footage into my computer.  So it has to be digital.  It'd be so nice of you to donate it.  :)

All joking aside, it is frustrating not being able to shoot even a podcast without having to go through a pain in the ass process. Boo!  On that note, check for the podcast this weekend. :)