Online Video, One Year Later
Over a year ago, I decided it was time to learn about online video, not as a consumer but as a creator, to understand how I could make use of this medium. I bought a Flip camcorder because of its portability (it's about the size of a deck of cards) and ease of use, in creating video on the fly and in uploading to the Internet. Photo by ilamont
Since then, my Flip has been a steady companion, stashed away in my purse, ready for action at a moment's notice. Fourteen months later, I've created plenty of video. Here are my top tips for creating and using online video:
To become more natural in front of the camera, tape yourself often. Forcing myself to use the Flip got me used to being in front of the camera–whether I was on vacation sitting at a restaurant, standing in line to get into a theater, or interviewing my 8-year old nephew about what life was like for him. The more you do it, the easier it gets. You may start out in front of the camera looking like you are under interrogation. If you stick with it, over time, you can expect to see a more relaxed and genuine version of yourself.
Aim for authentic, rather than picture perfect. Along the way, I've watched myself on video and learned that:
- Many days, my hair looks better under a hat
- I do a strange thing with my mouth before I start talking
- My eyes seem to pop out of their sockets when I'm trying to emphasize a point
All of this is to say that almost no one is ever satisfied with the way they look on camera. The good thing about online video is most people don't expect a polished presentation. In fact, oftentimes with online video, there is an assumption that the more "unfinished" it is, the more real and authentic it must be. Think Candid Camera instead of the Oscar awards. Photo by jenny downing.
It's not about you. It's about your message. Whether your message is meant to inform, entertain, persuade, reassure, or illuminate, the message is what's important. You may be the messenger, but the message should still get the spotlight. This will also help you be more natural, when you focus on what it is that you want to communicate, rather than saying it perfectly.
You can edit your way to a focused message. I suppose this is the same with other media–taped audio, written essays. But the point is to not be afraid to shoot more video than you need. And don't be attached to how a particular video will be used in the end. Photo by mobilechina2007
The more you use online video, the more uses you'll find for it. Here are just a few of the ways I've used video:
- Video helps me record the mundane parts of my life and in the process, have a little fun with it. From showing the mad dash of my teenage sons to get in the car in the morning for school to what my family eats for breakfast. I especially enjoy the wry commentary that can emerge in looking at the routine. This first video is about having a hot breakfast to soothe a nasty cold…..
- Video allows me to share quirky moments, like walking into the Department of Motor Vehicles office with my son to get his learner's permit and finding out that the it could easily be mistaken for a 1950's Russian ministry, complete with plastic chairs in rows and numbers being called. This next video was taken at the Peoria, IL airport at 5:30am on a cold (minus 19 degrees outside) winter day. The only place open at that time in the morning was a stand that sold a microwavable bagel with sausage and cheese.
- Video enables me to introduce myself to others, who I might not otherwise meet in person, as in this clip to welcome new followers on Twitter. You could just as easily do a video to welcome visitors to your website:
- Video is a fabulous way to bring others into the room, when they can't be there. I've done this by taping a few moments with my son on his birthday to upload for grandparents to see. In this next video, I'm visiting a college friend in Chicago, and we are saying hi to a mutual college friend who lives in California.
- Video can capture the energy of an event. The following clip was taken after an event I facilitated with Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind and more recently, Drive. We asked participants what they learned….
- And finally, with video, I can share the small moments of life, like this one after a snowstorm, taped on Christmas Eve. I was feeling particularly peaceful and grateful that day:
After a year of playing with online video, it's become another tool in my toolkit, to connect with others and share more of my world. It takes getting used to and it's not for everyone. But if you do take the time to learn it, you'll have a new, technicolor way to engage with others. I hope you've been able to get to know me better through my online videos.
Very nice post, Carol.
I recall some years ago, a little-known film appeared called “Hoop Dreams” (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110057/) I had an intense debate with an acquaintance who made films and videos for a living. “Hoop Dreams” was a remarkable documentary shot on rough video over a period of five years beginning in the late 1980s. It told the stories of a pair of inner city kids as they tried to use their talents in a sport to build better lives…and the impact their talents and dreams had on everyone around them, both for good and bad. It was a rugged and often raw but powerful set of stories.
Until that time, even low-end documentaries still used film format, perhaps 16mm if 35 wasn’t affordable. So “Hoop Dreams” was truly groundbreaking in that it was a first for being “bumped up” to film for theatrical release.
My colleague with the technical skills had nothing but contempt for the story because of its relatively weak appearance. And perhaps that’s why it didn’t matter to me that I lived with antenna TV far into the cable era – story always trumped visual appearance. The tech guys and network people didn’t catch onto that for way too long, imagining that appearance counted for more than content.
Now perhaps the trend has gone too far in the other direction with reality TV beating out much more production intense dramatic TV series.
But the main point is that content continues to rule. A lousy piece of video with lousy content has no meaning. But neither does a beautiful piece of video with lousy content. We’d all like a nice package but if what’s inside is of value, then we can live without the glitz.
Video and audio are terrific to add to the mix of communication tools, even if it’s sometimes nothing more than pulling up a post from Youtube or other file sharing sources. Your tips for personally shot video are great and I’d really emphasize that shooting extra & “letting the camera roll” is important. If someone is into editing, then the ability to mix takes can repair any glitches, plus the public has become very forgiving of rough editing.
By the way…”Hoop Dreams” went on to be nominated for an Academy Award & won over a dozen other film awards, including honors from the likes of Sundance, MTV & New York Film Critics Circle.
Thanks, Dave for the example of Hoop Dreams as content trumping packaging. I especially appreciate your perspective, given your professional work in video.
I also like your emphasis on shooting extra video and letting the camera roll. When I reviewed my files of clips taken over the last year, most of what I did, I had no idea of how I would use it. What I’ve posted here is just a fraction of what I filmed. And it was nice to pick from the best of the bunch.