For years I told Zadi that I would never have a blog because I simply did not have enough to say to make it worthwhile for anyone to read. I tend to be action-oriented as opposed to discussion-oriented, and I never imagined myself as a person who might choose to verbalize (or author, in this case) thoughts that could be better expressed through doing.
Now, though, I think I might have something to add to the discussion. Having worked in online media for the past 10+ years and having been consumed specifically by the world of online video for the past 1-2 years, I feel more strongly than ever that there is not enough discourse happening about content as opposed to technical and philosophical discussions.
That's what this blog will mostly focus upon: writing about how to create good content and what it means to be a writer and a director in film and video. I think I have a lot to say about those things. I look around the vlogosphere and I see so much creativity and energy, yet so little quality, at least in my opinion. I think we're all still figuring out how to make web shows, myself included, and I want to talk about this so we can figure it out together.
It's true that most of us contend with things like day jobs that eat into the time required to fulfill our potential as artists, but that's just tough, isn't it? We still have a responsibility to make the best media we can, and I am consistently disappointed by how little discipline I see out there, even with the shows I regularly watch and enjoy (my own work is included here, by the way).
My first few posts will be about things like dramatic and comedic writing structure, character development, and crispness and timing in editing. These are all things that cost nothing, but add infinite value to the content. I'm not sure many people know how to go about learning structure, or even know that it might be missing from their work.
For me, the promise of online video in 2007 is about taking that step forward into a larger world. Luckily, anyone can comment and tell me where I might be going wrong so that I can make sure my contributions stay on point in the 0-7.
Zadi said:
Yes. It was inevitable. You are now OFFICIALLY a blogger. Woohoo! Nice start to the new year. And an easy date to remember as when your first blog post went live. xoxo.
Eddie C said:
Welcome to the discussion-orinted world Steve. As someone who would always like to improve what I do, I'm hearily look forward to your wisdom as a video artist. Yay, 2007, the year of doing shit better!
mike said:
Sexy blog, Steve :) This site is only missing one thing... a link to your flickr pics!
I think you do have a lot to say regarding online-video... stuff people like me could learn a lot from.
Lan Bui said:
I look forward to reading your thoughts.
That sounds weird, but it is true.
You said "dramatic and comedic writing structure, character development, and crispness and timing in editing. These are all things that cost nothing", I would say they cost time. Time is what is lacking in half ass things (like daily shows) that are just put out there just to be put out there.
Is it better to create something than to create nothing and just talk about creating but never creating because it isn't good enough?
Ze Frank hit it just right when he talked about brain crack.
Steve Woolf said:
Lan, I would argue that with all the time content creators spend mastering their camera, sound, or web technologies, the content suffers because the same attention isn't paid to the fundamentals. It's all about evolution at this point, imo. So many people have talked about codecs, compression rates, comments, rss feeds, hosting services, etc., but there is so little talk about content. To make the next leap, I think we need to start thinking about intent and execution.
There's a lot to be said for being in the moment and for putting something out there rather than letting it sit someplace due to time constraints. I very much enjoy the raw aspects of that kind of video.
My comments are more geared to narrative, fictional video blogs. Sketches, dramas, shows. Ze's videos actually have very good structure, which contributes to how entertaining and communicative they are. Quality writing is where it all begins.
Philip Campbell said:
great. someone on my wavelength. this should be interesting times in 2007. :)
steve garfield said:
Yay! Now I've got a place to link to. Looking forward to what the new year will bring.
When's the new New Mediacracy?
Brandon said:
Great site..... I agree it has you written all over it. (No one else could come up with something half as wierd!) :) Although I think you should display your Flickr photos like Zadi.
Remember we are here to help you through your Top Ten list addiciton!
Chris Brogan... said:
I'm so excited you're here, and that you're going to focus on the content. Plenty of tech talk out there. I'm doing that schtick more in 2007. Amen for the content.
Clintus said:
I'm so stoked to see this. When you mentioned it last week I didn't know how long down the line before it went live. Subscribed, posted, and linked. :)
Casey said:
DAMN YOU!!! I'm in the middle of designing blogs/sites for Rudy and myself and now you have shown me up!!! DAMMIT!!
Jim Long said:
Good on ya! I'm jazzed I found your blog. I've been thinking about many of the topics your posts have covered. I'll be quite interested in following this blog.
John said:
Ze Frank makes it sound like he sits down and the ideas just flow out. But if you listen to the interview he did on godaddy he talks about being in "survival mode". He edits together a few minutes out of what is probably hours of recording.
He calls this improvisation but it seems a lot like writing and editing to me.
I feel like part of the creative process is missing in this new media. There's no way to really judge the audience's reaction. Comments are there but like you said in a different post, they don't really work. Sometimes I wish it was more difficult to publish. I mean, if I had to work really hard to get things on the internet, I'd probably ask a few people what they thought before I published them. But that'd be weird right now. Because the people who I'd ask are pretty much the only people who watch my stuff anyway.
The problem is, the model for video blogging is blogging. Where it's so informal and spontaneous and frequent. Youtube really encourages this with their new feature of recording strait to the web. I expect a deluge of even more crap.
If there was a way to put a video up for a small community of active, critical peers who would be willing to say where they laughed and where they got bored, I think that would both increase the overall quality of the videos and the quality of the discussion. Two birds with one stone.
