Podcast project

I HAVE been meaning to try out other platforms for communications. You see I have been in print medium for the better part of my career in journalism. I guess the year 2020 is the best year as any to start something new.

Well, I have tried producing short videos and creating infographics during my almost five-year stint with the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. But that was mainly a one-man production team. I shoot the videos, the non-linear editing, and script. I do have to present it to our Executive Director Malou Mangahas for final editing and subsequent approval.

I remember one time while I was with PCIJ and was covering a press briefing on the germinal stage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, my former editor Froilan Gallardo caught up with me in Quezon City. He asked me where was the rest of my team who were covering. I told him my DSLR camera, two video cameras, an audio recorder, a steno pad, and a pen was THE team. We both laughed after realizing how pathetic my answer sounded.

Jao Gumapac of RMN’s DxCC has been offering me a slot in his latest venture, the JaoTV as far back as 2017. He said I could just talk about the things I write in my column, My Wit’s End. He also said I could also include some live singing on my time slot.

I have been putting it off for years. Honestly, I still feel it is kinda “hilas” to be anchoring some type of talk show on TV. So, yes, Jao, you win. I just met and organized my production crew. I’m thinking a video podcast wouldn’t be bad to start the new decade. However, I insisted that my “episodes” of this video podcast would my intellectual property for perpetuity. This means that I can use it anywhere I see fit. Well, Jao has yet to respond to that demanded proviso.

Last Sunday, I told my son and one of his biker friends about my plan to produce a video podcast. To my surprise, my son’s friend offered his equipment and services. Apparently, he also dabbles in audio recording and editing. So, that was it. I now have a production crew of three, myself included.

So, like any newbie, I Googled it off the internet. It suggested that I come up with a concept (i.e. a topic, name, format, and target length of each episode), design artwork and have a description to have some kind of “brand” of my video podcast. Of course, there’s the recording and editing phase, and finding a platform from which to broadcast each episode.

The last one is fairly simple. I do have a standing offer from JaoTV but I also got to thinking that why not broadcast it mainly on my YouTube channel. From there, Jao can just download the latest episode of my video podcast.

For the recording and editing part, I have already set up a meeting with my production crew of two people. So, all that’s left is the concept and the branding of the video podcast.

Allow me, my dear readers, to bounce off some ideas to you. You can always reply via email or comment on the comment section below.

I am thinking of calling, and in a way branding, my video podcast as “Crow’s Nest.” First, we will be shooting the episodes right at our home, which we have affectionately called Crow’s Nest. I’m thinking it has a nice ring to it. It being an opinion-editorial podcast from the highest part of a boat — the Crow’s Nest. So, it would be offering the widest view possible of any issue at hand.

Would it be tacky if I include some live music? Like, before I tackle an issue, I sing a song that somehow articulates the issue.

So, here’s to starting 2020 with a new platform of communications. Wish me luck.