You Tube, Broadband, MySpace, FaceBook, Streaming media, Mobile Media.....
What does it all mean? More importantly, what does it mean to a Christian Videographer?
It means that there is a whole new audience for our video pieces. It means that this upcoming generation, the media generation, will afford us a much greater opportunity for exposure. Technology doesn't intimidate them, it entices them. That's why we get "viral videos" online. This generation is more connected through their computers than many older generations can even begin to comprehend.
But as a Christian videographer it is our job to connect with this generation. We speak their language... audio\visual or multi-media. We must embrace the new channels of distribution and use them to evangelize. We must learn how to produce our videos so that they are best recieved, not on the small screen, but on the tiny screen... the ipod screen or cell phone screen. We need to create messages that they can carry in their pockets and that they'll want to share. This is the new challenge for Christian video producers; Creating the gospel message in a short, entertaining, audio\visual method of delivery. A method that can't rely on packing a lot in through high quality graphics, or subtle background imagery. Those are things that they'll never see on their cell phone screen.
Start practicing now. Start creating messages that speak Jesus' truths. There is no formula to this. Pray and let God guide you in how to deliver His words in a compelling way. A way that is tailored to Generation M.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Visual Storytelling
How important is what you see? Can you tell a story without words? Silent movies told stories long before voices could be heard on screen. And, if you watch carefully, you'll discover that there is a language or grammer to the audio/visual medium. It varies from film to television and genre to genre much like dialects within a language. Take Spanish for example, Spaniards speak differently than Mexicans, who speak differently from Puerto Ricans or Cubans, but they all speak spanish. Genres are like that.
It all goes back to the language of the audio/visual medium. If you watch an amatuer filmmaker's product, you may not know why, but you'll know it's amatuer. Typically there are a number of reasons, one of which is the misuse of the language of film. The amatuer will usually move from a master shot to an extreme close up or something equally as jarring. Or they will take a conversation without using over-the-shoulder shots. They may even only give the viewer one angle the entire piece.
So, you have to have the ability to plot out in your mind what you want the final product to look like, then capture those images. That's why live events are so difficult, you can't plan enough. Along with different shots and angles, you need to consider the way the image is framed or will look on-screen. There are rules to keep, bend and break when shooting, but until you know the rules and how to capture a visually stimulating image you have to learn. Take a photography class, read books, look at great art.
Then, once you've captured the images you have to put them together with good editting. But that's another post.
It takes time and practice to understand and learn what we've all become visually accustomed to. That's why film school is important, one of the reasons anyway. Sure, you could learn without schooling, many have. But school helps, a lot.
It all goes back to the language of the audio/visual medium. If you watch an amatuer filmmaker's product, you may not know why, but you'll know it's amatuer. Typically there are a number of reasons, one of which is the misuse of the language of film. The amatuer will usually move from a master shot to an extreme close up or something equally as jarring. Or they will take a conversation without using over-the-shoulder shots. They may even only give the viewer one angle the entire piece.
So, you have to have the ability to plot out in your mind what you want the final product to look like, then capture those images. That's why live events are so difficult, you can't plan enough. Along with different shots and angles, you need to consider the way the image is framed or will look on-screen. There are rules to keep, bend and break when shooting, but until you know the rules and how to capture a visually stimulating image you have to learn. Take a photography class, read books, look at great art.
Then, once you've captured the images you have to put them together with good editting. But that's another post.
It takes time and practice to understand and learn what we've all become visually accustomed to. That's why film school is important, one of the reasons anyway. Sure, you could learn without schooling, many have. But school helps, a lot.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Importance of Story
Anytime we watch television or go see a movie there are a few things that we expect to help us stay engaged. We expect strong characters/good acting, high production value, and a good story. Here I want to talk about the last of these: story.
A good story can sometimes overcome the lack of good acting, most of the time it can overcome lack of production value. As has been shown with the independent film market, production value is important but not the end all be all. but, we'll talk about that more later.
A good story should engage the viewer. It should suck them in and make them suspend their disbelief. Anything can happen in a movie or Tv show if the veiwer is into the story and the event follows logically from the plot.
There are differing opinions on how to craft a good story. You can use the classic three act structure. You can use the Hero's Journey. Or you can combine both, which is what I prefer. Use the Hero's Journey in a 3 act structure. You can find many good books on both of these topics: Sid field, Lew Hunter, Christopher Vogler, Joseph Campbell, Aristotle, Robert Mckee... the list of authors who have written about how to tell a good story is long. You can even find contemporary writers like Stephen King giving lessons on how to tell a good story.
The main thing is story is important. It is vital to capturing the audience. Christian media producers should look closely at their story, their foundation, before building on it. Our stories should be built on rock, not sand. Especially since great actors and good production values are hard to come by in the Christian market.
A good story can sometimes overcome the lack of good acting, most of the time it can overcome lack of production value. As has been shown with the independent film market, production value is important but not the end all be all. but, we'll talk about that more later.
A good story should engage the viewer. It should suck them in and make them suspend their disbelief. Anything can happen in a movie or Tv show if the veiwer is into the story and the event follows logically from the plot.
There are differing opinions on how to craft a good story. You can use the classic three act structure. You can use the Hero's Journey. Or you can combine both, which is what I prefer. Use the Hero's Journey in a 3 act structure. You can find many good books on both of these topics: Sid field, Lew Hunter, Christopher Vogler, Joseph Campbell, Aristotle, Robert Mckee... the list of authors who have written about how to tell a good story is long. You can even find contemporary writers like Stephen King giving lessons on how to tell a good story.
The main thing is story is important. It is vital to capturing the audience. Christian media producers should look closely at their story, their foundation, before building on it. Our stories should be built on rock, not sand. Especially since great actors and good production values are hard to come by in the Christian market.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Who am I?
I am a videographer specializing in the christian market. I shoot weddings, concerts, promos, conferences, and more. I also edit and use public domain films to create christian pieces targeting the youth.
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