Solo Video Journalist

A resource for solo documentary film makers and solo video journalism.

Author Archive

The Essentials for Backpack Journalists

By Cliff Etzel • Apr 27th, 2010 • Category: Multimedia

Bill Gentile is spearheading the Backpack Journalism Program at American University and his insights in this video are worthwhile on what the basic equipment needs are for shooting self contained – or as I like to term – SoloVJ. Having said that, as I watched this video, I got my feathers a little ruffled around [...]



Last Minutes With Odin

By Cliff Etzel • Apr 22nd, 2010 • Category: Multimedia

I want to keep my words brief and to the point. This video is one of the finest pieces of video journalism I have seen in a long time.  The trite content produced these days has left me cynical and thinking there wasn’t anything being produced of high quality that told a true human story. [...]



Hearst Television going SoloVJ

By Cliff Etzel • Apr 20th, 2010 • Category: Video Journalism

According to broadcastingcable.com, Hearst Television has signed a deal with JVC to utilize the GY-HM100 ProHD camcorder as the foundation for their rolling out their move to the backpacker journalist concept. I say it’s about time.



Bill Gentile on Backpack Journalism

By Cliff Etzel • Apr 14th, 2010 • Category: Multimedia

SoloVJ.com is an advocacy platform for the SoloVJ/Backpack Journalist Paradigm and as such, I’m constantly looking for new information on this brave new world of video journalism that ascribes to less is more. Bruce Jones posted this video on his blog about the Backpack Journalism Project Bill Gentile is teaching at American University.   I [...]



Going Freelance SoloVJ is nothing to be scared of

By Cliff Etzel • Apr 12th, 2010 • Category: Multimedia

Adam Westbrook has been the go to person lately with his insights into the new paradigm of solovj’ism. This time around I’m looking at the realities of going freelance – and why it’s not as scary as many would have you believe it is.  It requires a certain self discipline and thoughtful purpose to go [...]