The Way We Watch

Gif Crazy

Do we love gifs because we know life repeats itself? We can all empathize with Sisyphus thinking he's going to get that rock up the hill.  We know he won't.  Endless repitition is what our days are like (sometimes).  The loop of the gif reminds us that it's all a cycle.

Or do we love gifs because we like to be in the position of all-knowing. If we can still be entertained, shocked, amazed, and charmed - even when we know what's going to happen - that's a strange magic that is addictive.

Twitter allows gifs now. Make one. Make one. Make one. Make one.

 

Looks like another gorgeous day. #NYC http://t.co/IfPZ4VlOXN

— Chris Ming Ryan (@chrismingryan) June 22, 2014

I know it's old news but Twitter now accepts Gifs. Here's my contribution. http://t.co/z7oaSsdo4p

— Chris Ming Ryan (@chrismingryan) June 20, 2014

Make A Gift

 
If you don't know Maria Popova's brilliant blog, Brain Pickings, get to know it. Her blog is filled with what she finds interesting and most of what she finds interesting is the creative mind.

She recently posted a short video by the New York Times best-selling YA author, John Green, on the advice he gives people when they ask him how to be a writer. He says,

"Every single day, I get emails from aspiring writers asking my advice about how to become a writer, and here is the only advice I can give: Don’t make stuff because you want to make money — it will never make you enough money. And don’t make stuff because you want to get famous — because you will never feel famous enough. Make gifts for people — and work hard on making those gifts in the hope that those people will notice and like the gifts.

Maybe they will notice how hard you worked, and maybe they won’t — and if they don’t notice, I know it’s frustrating. But, ultimately, that doesn’t change anything — because your responsibility is not to the people you’re making the gift for, but to the gift itself.

This advice holds true for aspiring filmmakers, too. This was the thought in the back of my mind when I made this short film about a tire repair shop owner in Harlem. Please enjoy the gift.
If you can't see the video -- it is here.

Tire Man from Wheelhouse Communications on Vimeo.

 

Photo credit, (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Joey Rozier

Remembering Occupy

September 17th, 2013 is the second anniversary of the start of the Occupy movement.  Where did all that rage go? It feels longer than two years since OWS. Check out the video to remember.

Backstory: here in New York City where I live, OWS camped out in Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan and Mayor Michael Bloomberg was patient at first but sent the police in after roughly 8 weeks to break it up. While OWS was going on even Mister-Corporate-Video-Producer-Chris Ryan had to check it out.

I don't need to tell you what it was like -- there have been thousands of blog and news stories, but I felt compelled to document - in my own way - the feeling down there.

A few days later after my initial visit, I brought down a copy of the Allow Us To Introduce Ourselves text from the tumblr blog, We Are The 99 Percent which summed up to me in 300 odd words what the zeitgiest was down on Broadway and Liberty Street. I asked two dozen people to read a few lines each in front of a camera and I edited it together with the help of a some terrific volunteer professionals (watch the credits in the video above).

I emailed it to the We Are The 99 Percent blog and they put it up on a page the next day.  Dozens of Tumblrs re-blogged it and thousands saw it. That was neat.

If you've ever done Man in the Street interviews in New York City you know that it can be difficult to get blase and too cool for school New Yorkers to be on camera. Not at OWS and not at that moment in time. My biggest takeway from that day was how people lined up to be part of this video. People desperately wanted to be involved. It was a unique moment here in the City where you spend most of the day avoiding eye contact. Everyone wanted to express themselves.

While writing this post, I discovered that the We Are The 99 Percent blog put my video on the same page -- where the orignial text lived when I first clicked upon it in September 2011. Thank you, 99 Percent blog.

 

Snackable, Emotive and Sharable

"Show, don’t just tell. In a world of increasingly limited attention spans, we need to harness the power of video and photos because they are more snackable, emotive and sharable. We must also provide deeper, more informative visuals, such as infographics, as well.

Aim to have the dominant creative idea. The stranglehold of advertising on the marketer is now loosened."

From The History (and Future) of PR by Richard Edelman.

The original post is here.

Watch a snackable video with (info)graphics I produced that originally appeared in The Daily.

Dying Is Easy. Comedy Is Hard.

Producing comedy is the closest I will ever get to walking on a tightrope. In comedy, you know by the end -- if you've reached the other side -- or have fallen into the net. Appropriately, the choice below is funny or die.

The Whiteboardist - watch more funny videos

Special thanks to my comedy writing partner, Josh Lebowitz and check out Rob Donnelly's website for more information about his illustrations.

Shooting with Canon HDSLR: A Beginner's Equipment List:

  The following is a guest post by Stephen Vanderpool, a writer for NerdWallet.  The Way We Watch welcomes guest posts on the subject of video making, video in social networks, and the trials and tribulations of working in the field of video. You can reach me on my contact page for more information. -- Chris

High quality video production tools have grown tremendously accessible over the past decade. Achieving a professional level of video craftsmanship will always demand a high level of skill and experience, but acquiring the prerequisite resources requires only a small monetary investment. Though HDSLR shooting is relatively cheap compared to what was expected of video professionals years back, making the initial purchases can be daunting.

As a recent graduate plunging into the competitive world of videography, I've begun the long process of gathering the equipment necessary to begin my own freelance production endeavors. If you're like me, you're serious about video but not ready to drop $10,000+ on a RED EPIC or Sony F3. Luckily, HDSLRs provide a cheap alternative for folks like us.

Before making my initial purchases, I spent months clicking through forums, watching YouTube product reviews and asking my video pals for recommendations. The process has been long but rewarding, and I'd like to pass what I've learned onto prospective DSLR shooters. Here's my quick beginner's guide to assembling a DSLR arsenal from scratch.

1) The camera

Obviously, you'll need a camera. Let's assume you're jumping on the DSLR bandwagon. What are your options? As far as I'm concerned, you have only three. The Canon 7D, 5D Mark II or 5D Mark III. Sorry, Nikonians, but Canon is winning in arena of DSLR video. Before the release of Nikon's D800, full-frame 1080P video shooting was dominated entirely by Canon with the 5D Mark II at the forefront. Now, Nikon is at least competitive, but HDSLR videographers still seem to favor Canon. The Mark III works better in low light, is less prone to moire and, as the successor of the Mark II, has already earned the trust of video professionals.  Whenever I see a gig posting that stipulates a specific DSLR, it is almost always one of these three Canon products.

The Canon 7D is the cheapest of the three, running at about $1,550 new. The 5D Mark II is sitting at $2,100, and the 5D Mark III is priced around $3,500. The differences between the three are multifarious, but the most significant variance is in image quality. Simply enough, the more you pay, the better your picture. Each price bump provides more megapixels, heightened light sensitivity and better color depth. Check out YouTube quality comparisons to get an idea of what will meet your needs. If videography is a serious, long-term endeavor, you might as well start with the Mark III if you can afford it.

Keep in mind, the industry is always changing. Canon just released the C300--a camcorder with an EF lens mounts. While a lot more expensive than the 5D, it demonstrates the evolving needs of filmmakers and could prove to be a game-changer. (Editor: And, there are a lot of people watching this year's release of Black Magic's Cinema Camera. Phenomenal features at a phenomenal price). 

2) The glass

Acquiring quality lenses is just as (if not more) important as obtaining a proper camera. To ensure seamless compatibility, I recommend sticking with Canon lenses to match your Canon camera. First of all, do NOT buy the kit lens. Kit lenses are generally low in quality and of little use to video professionals. Purchase all of your glass separately.

Secondly, know the difference between zoom and prime lenses. Which you choose will be contingent on the type of work you do. Prime lenses (fixed focal lengths) produce a cleaner, higher quality picture, while zoom lenses provide versatility for less predictable shooting. Generally, scripted video (films, commercials, instructional videos, music videos, etc.) will benefit from the quality of prime lenses. On the other hand, videographers shooting events (concerts, weddings, parties, etc.) will appreciate the ability to adjust focal length with a flick of a wrist.

Every prime kit should begin with a 50mm "normal" lens. The 50mm focal length is standard for video production as is it produces an image comparable to that of the human eye. Canon offers 50mm lenses with apertures of 1.8 ($104), 1.4 ($359) and 1.2 ($1,439). The primary differences between the three are low-light functionality and bokeh. Again, check out some YouTube comparison videos to see which is best for you.

Assess your needs to determine which lens you'll need next. In truth, you might be able to get away with using a single lens (or renting lenses) for your initial gigs. If audio equipment and camera accessories are more important, you can always pick up lenses later when you have more money to invest. Chances are, you'll want to move onto a good wide angle or telephoto lens next. There are a ton of options out there. Explore! Research is key. Personally, my ideal three lenses to kick off a prime kit would be the 50mm 1.2, 14mm 2.8 and 85mm 1.2 (all super expensive). If you're aiming for top-quality glass, stick to Canon's L-series options.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with mixing prime and zoom lenses. Another good strategy is to start with a 50mm, then pick up a wide zoom (16-35mm, perhaps) and a telephoto zoom (maybe the good ol' 70-200mm). Though you sacrifice some quality, this method is a lot cheaper and covers a large range of focal lengths.

3) Audio equipment 

DSLRs are notorious for awful audio. Out of necessity, event videographers may need to plug their microphone directly into the camera, but scripted video should always use a separate audio recorder. Do NOT skimp on audio equipment. Seriously. Nothing ruins beautiful cinematography like shoddy sound. If you don't have the funds to invest in good equipment, you might be better off paying an audio engineer on a gig-by-gig basis. But if you want your own equipment, here are the essential elements to a basic audio setup:

• Condenser (shotgun) microphone
• Audio recorder
• Boom pole
• Shock mount
• Headphones
• XLR cable

Expect to spend at least $1,500. Rode products are popular right now for independent filmmakers, but there are many, many options out there. Do your research and stick to trusted brands. Sennheiser makes excellent microphones, K-Tek produces quality boom poles and shock mounts, Tascam has great recorders and Mogami makes topnotch XLR cables. There's a lot more flexibility in the audio than there is in the camera department, but do not, under any circumstance, settle for a mediocre product. If you're taking audio, make sure it's clean.

4) A tripod

The last item you absolutely need before you hit record is a tripod. If you can't invest in a good one right away, a $50 throwaway from Best Buy will provide a short-term solution. But sooner or later, you'll need a heavy-duty fluid head that provides a solid anchor and smooth maneuverability. A proper tripod will cost a minimum of $500 and, in many cases, closer to $1,000. If you're looking for the best, Manfrotto is generally regarded as the most reputable tripod crafter. 

5) Everything else

Once you have a camera, a lens, an audio setup and a tripod, you're ready to film. Of course, if you plan on editing your own footage, you'll need a computer and software, but that's another story entirely. Here's a short list of items you may want to invest in once you get the ball rolling:

• More lenses
• Lighting kit
• Slider
• Monopod
• Rail system
• Follow focus
• Matte Box
• Monitor
• Extra batteries
• Extra memory
• Clapboard
• Cases
• C-stands
• Reflectors

Remember: Never buy before consulting the Internet for DIY options!

Stephen Vanderpool is a writer for NerdWallet, the web's coolest/nerdiest finance site.

Photo CC license by Cindiann

Making Great Video Stories Part 2 - The Obsessionist Video

As a video story teller, I'm always looking for a way into the story.  How can I tell this story in a way that is interesting?

In Part 1 of Making Great Video Stories, I wrote about the Process video.  Another way to ensure you're telling a compelling story is to tell your story through someone who is obsessed.

People who are obsessed are fascinating.  They usually have to juggle their obsesson with their daily lives, money, their family, and their job so there is an inherent conflict right there.  Conflict good.

The other thing that is great about telling a story about someone driven by something is that they have amassed, most likely, a huge treasure trove of assets.  The assets could be record albums, or business cards, or love letters.

How does this help us?  B-roll!  Great b-roll makes for a great colorful story. 

At Wheelhouse Communications, I pitched to the The Daily (the iPad only newspaper) a video about the release of a new Dr. Suess book, The Bippolo Seeds and Other Stories.  The way into the story was to focus on Dr. Charles Cohen a Dentist by day and a Suessologist by night.  What is a Suessologist?  Click the video to find out. Can't see the video? Click here.

The original Daily story appears here. 

Now go out there and find the obsessed ones!

Photo credit CC: Rachel C

Oh My! Amazing iPhone 4s Video Quality

Found this video today on my facebook wall posted by Talmadge Boyd (@talmadge). It's a video shot by Benjamin Dowie on the new iPhone 4s.  And it makes phone calls.

 

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