VloMo Day 25 - Videoblogging from Dennis on Vimeo.
This video is a little bit of a response to Rupert’s “rant” and some twitter conversations. (here’s Rupert’s rant: vimeo.com/2307674)
It also contains some of what I’ve learned this month and why I make videos.
I don’t have the answers. This is just why I do what I do, sort of.
Vlogging from your iPhone? WTF?
Hey Dennis, that was a great post. I have some thoughts.
I don’t think some of us are considering stopping making video or wondering why we do it. I think the sense, at least on my own part, is that I want to spend more time developing my videos and producing the best that I can do rather than burying it with a post that I don’t think is all that good. Regardless whether it’s VloMo or Videoblogging Week, it’s the whole blog format that is failing me right now.
In the same breath, posting one video a day is a great exercise and helps one get over some things that prevent them from creating. I liken it to the 30 second drawing exercises that I would have to do when I was in college. Don’t think…just do. Some drawings are losers but some are absolute winners. Now, true, what’s good is relative. As you said, you do this only for yourself. With that in mind, how I feel about something I made as to whether it’s good or not is relative to me and, since I am doing this for myself, like you, I guess I am the one that is deciding what works I have done that are good and what aren’t.
To the technical aspects of our sites. Unfortunately, the blog format doesn’t work for someone who doesn’t want a blog type of site or layout. I said earlier that I am trying to work on something where things I created don’t get buried down the line. True we can sticky a post, however, at some point, that post has to move out of the top slot and then slide on down the list. A gallery layout for works I want to show off along with other sections allotted for different types of work is more in line with what I’m thinking. We’ll see what I can come up with.
There are so many theories floating around out there as to just what is videoblogging that I think it’s impossible to nail it down to one simple description. I have my own idea as to what videoblogging is and I personally don’t call myself a one. Some people think I am. To each their own
I’ve loved watching your videos throughout VloMo and I am especially impressed with the decision you made to limit yourself to using the iPhone to doing it. Huge kudos to you for imposing that restriction and working right on through it as if it wasn’t a hindrance at all! I am a big fan of putting limitations on myself and seeing what I can come up with. You have certainly succeeded. Job well done
I’m with you brother! Don’t post for others, post for yourself. Years and years down the road, when no one cares about your vlog, YOU can look back and have a great time remembering!
My vlogs premise is simple: I’m vlogging my life so when I’m old and forget how to feed myself, I can still look back and remember. Vlog On!
I’m thinking along the lines of what David said. I want to take more time with my own storytelling and support that with well shot, well edited footage instead of what I’ve been doing, which is just rushing to post something even if it’s crappy. And I’d also like an area that showcases my “good stuff.”
I’m more limited than David with what I can pull off regarding the way my web site works. Dude’s got skillz. But I’ll also be earnestly looking into minimizing the “blog” aspect of my site and seeking ways to feature the works I’m proudest of, while still maintaining a “fishing for nuggets of gold” area where I can explore via “video doodle” without pressuring myself to make something awesome every single time.
I think it’s awesome that this discussion is ranging all over the web: Twitter, Vimeo, individual sites, etc. It’s a great conversation and I’m glad it came out of VloMo.
Hey everyone…first of all, thanks for the comments. I appreciate them.
@David I absolutely get what you are saying. There has to be some sort of theme that we can adapt so we can have “featured posts” and other posts in a not so prominent position on the site so that people can see everything. Over on my blog, I do something similar, but I don’t think that theme will work for videos. I put the stuff I think is really good as a featured post and change it every week, but I post something about everyday.
I think the argument is a quantity vs quality thing. We don’t have time to post quality stuff everyday. For most of us this is a hobby. Just something we like to do. Not a profession. In fact, many of the once prominent videobloggers have stopped videoblogging their personal stuff because they now have jobs that have to do with video on the web. I miss them.
I actually at one point stopped putting family vids here because I didn’t think it was what other people wanted to see. Then, I decided that it was part of who I am so they would have to just deal with it.
You are also right as to the fact that you decide what you like and don’t like. It’s funny that I actually like many of the “talking head” videos that people make. I think it’s an aspect of web video or videoblogging that helps us create conversations like this one and provoke some kind of response in people. They aren’t usually the best quality videos, but they are thought provoking sometimes.
@Mike keep doing what you’re doing. It’s a great premise, and I think it is one that will be rewarding to you in the future.
@cheryl I can’t wait to see the design you’re working on. I hope it can help with the format problem. There has to be a way to combat the buried post syndrome. We all have gems that people haven’t seen because we (rightfully ) feel the need to make another post.
Anyway…Happy VloMo. And thanks for interacting with me. I like this discussion. Let’s see what we can do to make video on the web better.
oh Michael…yeah, vlogging from my phone. Cycorder works great. Then I use diskaid to get the vids on my Mac and then off to the web. It’s an extra step (I wish I could just upload from the phone), but it’s still been fun.