Autonomous Media: Phase 2!

Autonomous Media is a project aimed at deconstructing global information disparity; I want to do well-researched world news reporting about important things that aren’t really covered in the “mainstream” media.

I’ve already started this project, and you can see what it looks like on the Autonomous Media youtube channel. I really want to start field reporting for it next, but I am severely lacking some desperately needed equipment for this project to continue growing. I don’t even have a camera! Worst of all, once I’ve started making progress on any video: my device slows down to a crawl, taking 3-6 full seconds to respond after every click!

I need help to get this project going stronger, so I can do field reporting, AND meet my goal of producing weekly news videos.

Below are a couple examples of my videos, followed by a breakdown of where your donations will go. 

Here is an informal breakdown of the goals for this fundraising campaign:


Covering the upcoming EU Election Protest (Estimated cost: €400-€770)
If I can get enough funding in time, my priority will be to go to Brussels for May 26th, the day of the European Union elections. The French Yellow Vests have declared an intention to coordinate an international protest on that day to boycott the election. This could be an amazing opportunity to document and report on a culmination of disenfranchised people of all political persuasions from across Europe.


In order to make this trip, I need to afford the following items:
-Camera and camera bag (€200-450)
-Memory storage for camera (€30-60)
-Transportation to/from Brussels (€20-60)
-Safety gear (breakdown below): (€150-€250)
Breakdown:
-Helmet (€100-200)
-Carbon Filter mask (€30)
-Knee pads (€20)

New Computer (Estimated cost: €2000)
The device I am using to edit film on is not not sufficient for the task, and increases the production time by at least a third (a conservative estimate). Once I get far enough in any particular video, I get a delay of 3-6 seconds for every action I try to take- from simply zooming in and out of my timeline, to adjusting the playhead. On top of that there are crashes, rendering problems, and variety of other obstacles which slow the production down to a crawl towards the end of the video.

External Hard-drive (Estimated cost: €100)
This one needs less explanation, I think- it’s the same reason anyone ever needs on of these. I have one, but it is old and starting to have some problems; I am worried it will die on me in the middle of a project soon.

Camera (Estimated cost: €200-400)
A goal for Autonomous Media is to start doing field reporting. If I can get a camera soon enough I will prioritize it for the upcoming EU election (see above). If not, this will be acquired after getting a new computer and memory storage for the use of future field reporting and episodes of shows like “Hidden Headlines”

Memory storage for camera (€30-60)

Field Recorder Estimated cost (€300)
The low sound quality of my vocal recording has been commented on by multiple viewers. I really would like to have a better microphone and better sound. With this device I could kill two birds with one stone.



Total:
Camera & Bag €450

Camera SD         € 60

Ext HD                €100

Field Mic          €300

Computer       €1500

Transportation   €60

Safety gear         €250

+8% (misc fees)€259

                                €2979