Do the school systems teach video?
They should. Just as “Reading is Fundamental” is true, so is “Video is Fundamental.”
Not just watching it, but making it. A lot of people are doing it– check out http://vidblogs.com, as an example. Video there is considered an everyday part of communication. The camcorder is today’s pen and notepad.
We like to think that the youngest generations can do virtually anything technical, and video is part technical. But picking up a camera or clicking on IMovie or whatever Microsoft is giving away for free doesn’t make for good or even passible video communications.
And just because you’re a viable business or marketing leader, don’t think you get a pass. Having the best camera and the fastest computer will just help create your mish-mosh faster.
We need– in school and in the corporate world– to teach the BASICS of good video communications. There are creative basics, and technical basics, and in a day or two I know we could prevent a lot of lost messages.
Because generally, the creative ideas are often good, no matter how amatuer the production. It’s the non-understandable sound, shakycam visuals, and interminable long shots that lose messages and audiences.
There are some real basics to what we do (email me and I’ll send you a short monograph I’ve written on a few of the basics, “Ten Ways to Tell A Great VideoStory”.) We here at VideoStory know our “rules”. Knowing the rules won’t make you a great filmaker, but it will sure help. There are many, but here’s one example:
Dan Ramsey, our video Guru, wrote this on our markerboard:
The five “C”‘s of Video
Composition
Connotation
Close-ups
Cutaways
Coverage
Believe me, those are so true. Cheat on Coverage and you can add a few days to the edit– its that simple. And expensive.
At some point, video will be as ubiquitous a communications tool as the typewriter– er, the computer.
And company leadership– present AND future– requires great communications skills and understanding.
That communications skill must include video.
Brien Lee