Does anyone have TV/film recommendations for newbies to get a visual idea of what backpacking is like?

Thus far, I only know of one episode on a Taiwanese show that interviewed local/international students who travel by backpack. The following show might open up backpacking for Mandarin speakers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk4chfPIZfc&feature=video_response

I like Globetrekker a lot. There's a huge range of budgets/activities, so it's not all budget-backpacker stuff (much of it is), it's pretty well done. I like that they use different hosts all the time.

I agree about Globetrekker, but The Travel Channel has a few good shows too.

5 Takes - 5 video journalists (read: lucky travelers picked to appear on the show) visit a certain region and interact with viewers via forums to get ideas for what to do in each location. Invariably, the suggestions are the popular activities in that city/country. But I think it gives a good feel for what it can be like to tour around in a foreign country. They don't really spend any time/footage on the getting from place to place part of the adventure though.

Madventures - this is newer, and a bit off the wall. In fact, you might not want to watch it if you're a newbie, but while they go to VERY off the beaten track locales, the feeling of the show is still very backpackery (if that is a word).

Otherwise, look for video blogs by backpackers. One of my current favorites is http://twobackpackers.com - a NYC couple that just started a RTW trip in Central America.

Oh, and watch the movie Eurotrip!!

Dude, where's my backpack? (ferry in Thailand):

Check out A Map For Saturday.. its a documentary of an american's 1 year backpacking RTW.

http://www.amapforsaturday.com/

It is available on Netflix if you're into that kinda thing.

i second a map for saturday. an amazing film.

Just added to my Netflix. I can't wait for it to get here!