People have started to ask me what I'm using. And there are a few products I'm using I'd like to provide feedback about, a few products I'd like to shout about (cause they're great!)!
You'll find a description of the major pieces in my kit bag below with links to manufacturer sites (so you can buy where you like).
(XXXX under development XXXX)
Audio
H2 Zoom
Blue Mikey iPhone attachment (N.B. doesn't work with iPhone 4, fingers crossed they fix this bc it's awesome)
Blue Snowflake
Røde NTG2 boom mic
Video
Canon Legria HF S200
Photography
Canon EOS 450D (doesn't do video-- go for a model that does)
iPhone (at the moment, 3G, planning to upgrade shortly) in that, "I have a camera. Sometimes I use it to make phone calls" sense (lifeinlofi.com). I'm getting into iphoneography. I would leave you links, but I get all my iphoneography kit tips from LifeInLoFi.
Shoes.
I cannot stress to you how important a good pair of shoes are: they have an amazing ability to build you up and give you confidence when you don't have any. Oh and they should be comfortable, too and shouldn't fall apart. Ever. There's nothing like that old reliable pair of shoes (read: security blanket). Because I've moved so much I hate to have a lot of stuff. My clothes are basic. I don't own a lot of shoes. Really. I own fewer pairs than most men, even.
The shoes I wear everyday are by the brand El Naturalista. I own 4 pairs. You should get some.
Software
I animate on Motion5. A lot of professionals are afraid of the FCS extensions. Don't be. You need it. They are great!
I use the full Final Cut Studio Package: Final Cut Pro, Motion4, Colour, Compressor, Soundtrack Pro.
I'm in the process of switching over to Adobe Premier Pro.
Useful Websites
Audio
I got lucky recently and ran across this video from QuickFX that lists about eight or so free (quality!) audio for filmmakers.
Animation
I would be nowhere, absolutely nowhere without tutorial help from AppleShakeGuru and Embryo.
CreativeCow has an extensive library of discussion forum help on Final Cut Studio suite of programs. I get help with Motion4 there.
Journalistic and Academic Practice
Apps
Organising and researching
Tweetdeck. Columns, highly organisational.
Evernote.
Apture. Never heard of that dead guy before? Never seen that word? Don't open a new tab, create a little window inside the current one. (when you download, make sure you donate!)
Writing
Scrivener. I use scrivener for documentary and academic research. It's excellent for compartmentalising and categorising your research. I especially like the full screen feature that presents you with a single white space and simplifies your desktop.
Mendeley. Love it! I've not used the social network feature much yet, but I like that it keeps your notes for you. It doesn't mark up the original documents, it just references it (like photoshop, motion, final cut).
iMindMap. Think visually. Helps to get it out. Great for outlining because it can keep you from being too linear (so you think in scope).
"Instruction Manuals"
How to Cheat in Motion. Patrick Sheffield. None of the 'recipes' work as detailed, which I think makes it more of a learning experience. You have to fiddle with the exercises to make it work. The asethetic is distinctly 'American', but working through the exercises is a decidely effective learning experience in Motion4.
Places I like to buy from:
mics -- nobody beats Dolphin Music for service (continuous, over time). If you need help, they are live (yeah!) on @dolphinmusic . They aren't always cheaper, but many times they are. And when they aren't, I've ended up buying there anyway because what I received was damaged. Buy from Dolphin. Don't trust anyone else.
BHPhoto -- for photographic equipment (and they will help you choose the right bit of kit and answer your idiot questions like Q: 'why can't I get the flash to work?' A: 'are the batteries in the right direction?')