As I've browsed around trying to pick up ideas on what kind of mic I should get (or rather, what I can afford), I noticed Fred Retread's endorsement of the Rode VideoMic. I looked it up and it looks like it could suit my needs pretty well, but the odd shock mount (and attached camcorder mount) has me a little confused. Is it still possible to take off the camcorder mount and attach the VideoMic to a conventional boom pole, or does one have to buy the special one that Rode makes for it?

They'll both work fine with other boompoles and shockmounts. The Rode Videomic and boompole use the standard 3/8" thread.