how not to do online video

i came across this company on youtube. my first thought was that someone had set this website up fifteen years ago and had abandoned it. the cyberspace equivalent of a ghost town. then i see the itunes logo and i am just confused.

it is an internet based television show that apparently has a contract with comcast to broadcast content on fox. content providers like to bring on people like this because it allows them to say to potential customers that they support local film makers. its a cheap gimmick.



to sum up itv's problems i would say, here is an internet television company that thinks like a cable network. for starters, the introduction logo sequence is fifteen seconds too long. and a close second is, what is the host weaing? i am certainly not an expert here, but if you are going to have a 'fassion' show, i woulds suggest against a balding host who looks like a washed up 70s lounge singer.

aesthetic aside, don't assume that your audience knows your subject. who is count kody? well, he's an event planner. but the video doesn't make that clear.

solution: skip the atari graphics at the begining and start off with a wide establishing shot of the count's events. show people enjoying themselves and having a good time. natural sound of chatting in the background and count kody says in his own voice something like "i put on this event!"

and of course, the video would be less than two minutes long because we'd do away with the host and stick to the meat and potatoes of the subject. that is, who is count kody and why do i, the viewer, care about what he does?

also, i would steer away from the temptation to post an extended cut. it would only confuse your audience.



finding faults in this video is too easy. what is it? what could have been a great opportunity to talk about the underground community of independent board game designers as turned into a corny nonsensical music video. where is the value in this?

i would start with showing people playing the game. voice over from the designer saying "i made this game" and so on.

i was excited to see a company showcasing local news and an independent perspective but i am disappointed by the execution.

one minute for marriage is often too much to ask

rule number one of interviewing people: prepare yourself to ask the right questions and prepare your subject to answer them. you can't just stick a camera in someone's face and expect them to perform like a trained monkey. people are generally shy and don't have any idea how to communicate their ideas on a mass market.

i am no exception to that rule.



i am in charge of this project.

when i tell people about what i do, i always talk about this project. in conversation, it always perks people's interest. it is more compelling to them than street musicians or bruce bickford or anything i have done in the past and yet the project gets so little attention from the internet.

this might be more telling of my previous work than it is for the one minute for marriage project. the truth is, i don't think people really care to talk about it anymore.

if i want to create compelling content for one minute for marriage, i need to focus on three stories and tell them with care and precision.

as a local seattle videographer, i cannot rely on businesses and non-profits to give me work. i have to generate work for myself and make proposals based on what i feel are my strengths and skills. granted, i have no interest in running a non-profit but i might have to step it up a notch and make things happen on my own here.