When I started toying with the idea of doing a video version of show, I gave a lot of thought to the content and what a video version could offer that was compelling and unique. I think I’ve finally settled on what that is, but now I’m starting to understand the technical hurdles of producing video vs. audio programming.

Anyone that listens to my show knows how much I care about audio quality and that I try and make sure every detail of the production is just right. If we take that same neurotic behavior and apply it to the video show, you know that I’m not just going to turn on a webcam and shoot myself sitting at my desk. No, that would be too easy and cause far less frustration. Instead, I have spent the last few weeks buying just the right pro-level 3CCD camera, video monitor, tripod, lighting, teleprompter software, and audio equipment to pull this off right. My new challenge is figuring out the “set” for the show. Do I use a natural background? Do I go with the simplicity of the Rocketboom set ala the world map? Or, do I do green screen ala Geekbrief all the while trying not to rip off the look and feel of either.

My audio show is so straightforward. I hit record on Ubercaster and my SM7B goes into the Mackie Onyx Satellite and in 30 minutes I have a show. The quality of the content, is of course, debatable, but it’s a professionally produced show. Even with the most rudimentary video setup it is a sizeable production to set everything up, light it, and shoot it. Not to mention, my listening audience doesn’t know what I’m wearing or if I’ve shaved that day. They don’t know if I have bags under my eyes from a bender the night before. With video, these are all things I have to consider. Nobody wants to look like shit on video, right?

I am confident that I will get these issues worked out. It took me months to get comfortable with the workflow for AC. Even now, after a year and a half, I still tweak the workflow regularly. My goal is to have the first ACTV up my the beginning of March. If any of you out there are producing video podcasts, I’d love to hear your tips and tricks.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, February 22nd, 2007 at 9:15 am and is filed under Scott. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.