On The Patio With Lynda & Ross - A to Z Challenge The Letter P

Blogging from A to Z Challenge
April 2016
This month I will be participating in the “Blogging from A-Z Challenge” 
What is it?

Blogging every day.  It begins on April First with a topic themed on something with the letter A, then on April second another topic with the letter B as the theme, and so on until I finish on April thirtieth with the theme based on the letter Z.   The theme of the day is the letter scheduled for that day.

Podcast

A few months ago I stumbled across a knitting video podcast.  One podcast led to another and then another.
For some reason, I couldn't stop watching, even though each podcast is about an hour long.
My curiosity was piqued.
The hosts seem to be ordinary people, like me.
I noticed that the format of these particular crafting type podcasts is pretty much the same.
First is the intro.  That would include a welcome, introducing themselves, saying what the name of the podcast is and which episode number it is.
The host(s) is usually holding a mug with the string and tag of a tea bag hanging over the side.
After the intro, they will then describe what they have in the mug.  Without fail, they will take a sip and say "ahh, that's good."
Next, they will launch into a "show and tell" of what they have been knitting.
There are WIPs (works in progress), what they have completed, FO's (finished objects), or HO's (half-finished objects, such as one of a pair of socks or mittens).
Their handiworks are always stored in a neat looking, zippered project bag.
They make a big fuss over the bag, saying how much they love (drawing out the word love) the bag.  They acknowledge the maker of the bag and include a link to the website.
Next, they will slowly unzip the bag and then even more slowly pull the FO, WIP or HO out of the bag.  They will hold the object close to the camera so that the viewer "can get a better look."
I've learned that these podcasters are a community.  They seem to all know of each other and they will give shout outs to each other during the video.
They also send gifts to each other.  Showing the viewers what they have received is another part of the standard format that they all seem to follow.
There is a segment dedicated to acquisitions.  That would be new yarn, knitting needles, accessories, they have recently bought or received.
Of course, there is personal chit chat during the podcast.  They'll talk about marriage, kids, partners, where they live, etc.
Perhaps that's the hook.  It's just them and you, friends having a cup of tea together.
I do subscribe to several.  If you're interested, go to YouTube and search for Knitting Podcasts.
My absolute favorite hosts are Arne & Carlos.  They are amazing artisans and fun to watch.
Anyway, I wondered what goes into making a video podcast.
I found a couple of "how to" sites and videos.
Apparently it is not as easy as the podcasters make it seem.
It soon became apparent to me that some of the podcasts I was watching, particularly the ones with thousands of subscribers, were professionally produced.  They had special cameras, microphones, lighting and someone behind the camera producing the video.
Even so, I wanted to try to do one.
I approached Ross with the idea.   He said yes right away.
I must say, I wasn't surprised.  He is a bit of a ham.
I decided that I didn't want to do a crafty podcast.  It would be a Seinfeld type podcast, instead.   You know a podcast about nothing.
Just Ross and I talking like we do every day.
Filming the piece was easy.  It took a great deal of effort for me to learn how to use iMovie to edit, add titles, music and sound effects,  but, I did it.
If you like to take a peek, click here.