Making it look easy.. practicing the art of visual storytelling
April 3, 2007
I’ve been telling anyone who’ll listen, that if video is the new “lingua franca” of online content, then i’m a Shakespeare of this language. Not because I’m terribly good, just prolific. I make video EVERY working day of my life sometimes under less than desirable circumstances.
Thing is, just because, the tools of production are available to all, makin’ the sausage of internet TV isn’t easy. If nothing else it generally consumes more time and human capital than the written or spoken word. At VON07, there was a session with Robert Scoble and Michael Arrington where Arrington postulated that video was “hard”.
Well he’s half-right. Video IS hard when it’s done well, which as one of my earlier posts points out, is widely open to interpretation. As more and more video “Shakespeares” emerge, video that shows understanding of the grammar of this lingua franca will stand out, I believe.
Being one to question authority most of my life, I’ve oft found rules are best left to others. Having said that, you have to know them BEFORE you break them. Here are a couple of tremednously valuable resources to help understand the grammar of film.
B-roll.net is a place where TV news photogs share ideas.
The BBC’s very thorough online training courses
To me some of the best ideas about shooting video pay significant homage to the work of still photography, especially in terms of composition, light and capturing the moment. Video is just 30 still frames per second.
NPPA’s best of photojournalism (TV and still photography)
The incredible eye of Thomas Hawk
These are just a starting point. Use the comments section to link to yours or other good ones!
Keep an eye on this video poet-laureate . CC’s gonna ROCK this space methinks.
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Posted in IPTV, TV news, VON07, disruptive media, journalism, new media, old media, small tv, social media, video blogging
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April 3rd, 2007 at 10:36 am
During my military career, I had a chance to ride around with some video journalists. There is nothing easy about the job. I agree Jim. And I don’t think it’s just the physical aspects, but the ability to see something extraordinary happening and have the sense of mind to keep focused while the world around you is in utter chaos. Hat’s off to guys like yourself. Nice pic of the Blackhawk by the way.
April 3rd, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Thanks for posting this and for your VON07 coverage. You’re motivating we flakey vloggers to post more!
April 4th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Thom,
Hat’s off to EVERYONE serving in the military! Talk about keeping focused in utter chaos!