Life do get tedious, don't it...
Thanks to Walter Brennan for that thought - but I've had it myself occasionally when writing these columns. Wouldn't it be great if I could broadcast them and then you could see me and hear me as I lecture you. And I could do malapropisms and mistaken words instead of typos...Wouldn't it be great? No, it would not.
Vlogging - the steady stream of unconsciousness that has filled our computer screens these last two years - is an art form like any other - it needs to be done with dedication, application, even passion. There needs to be technical facility in the production - or at least technical competence. It needs rhythm, flow, and good audio. Above all, it needs ideas worth recording and a face worth looking at on a screen. I barely qualify.
You may be in a better position. If you are, consider one of the kits designed for this sort of thing - I saw one in Murray Street made by Mirfak; the MVK01.
The kit has all the accessories you need to make your mobile phone work as a vlogging centre. Microphone and connecting cord, light, bracket, tripod, and extension arm. Plus the app that lets it work on Android or IOS. Instructions for setup and all in one box.
You need to have something to say and show, however, and enough communicative and theatrical skills to entice people to keep watching. Your first mark of success will be to get them to turn on your vlog - your second will be to have them watch the entire first episode. But your real achievement will be to have them tune in to your second broadcast. If you can do that, there is nothing to stop you from being the next Jack Paar or David Frost.
And if you say " who? " you should be perfect for the kit.
If you'd like to sling a heavier camera for the job, pick up the Mantispod Pro tripod and try it on a tabletop or hung from a vertical partition. It's got an in-built extra hook that lets it go sideways as well as flat. You can configure it as a selfie handle, too. Actually quite nice and sturdy for the smaller camera or mobile phone. Just remember to have something to say.
