Keya's Blog

I’m at VidExpo in Denver less than one week after being at BlogWorld.  The feel and pulse is definitely different here, as the once exclusive world of broadcast video is shifting, as new technologies supplant the old, and the methods of reaching an audience have shifted. Just last month, in September 2009, more money was spent on internet advertising than on broadcast TV (within the UK).

As an independent filmmaker, I’m very interested in the delivery of information to audiences.  Last year at this time, I toured the country (17,000 miles in my car) with a film by booking a nationwide tour and taking the film to audiences.  I realize the advantages of having a strong web presence in order to help promote a film project, but I think that the documentary format, in and of itself, can be successful -  just on the internet.   I’ve come upon this realization because I had a lot of time to think as I was driving around the country, and indeed, touring is somewhat inefficient.  There are, however, pros and cons with it.  It does build audience, and has great audience interaction built into it, but as I drove hours and hours in my car, I realized that the process was somewhat inefficient.  (Although perhaps the human interaction is what is more valuable in building and retaining audience.  Hmmm.  Debatable.  Interesting.)

Nonetheless, the world of image distribution has moved quickly, and has shifted.  Oddly enough, objects that I once drooled over, like a broadcast quality video camera shooting format, I now think is almost passe -  as I take video with my flip camcorder, take out the usb connection, and connect the thing straight to my computer, then have an image online within minutes.  (I say almost passe, because I still love crisp, clear, precise video and audio acquisition, but realize that the speed and ease of image acquisition sometimes can be more practical and seductive, while both types of technologies are able to stimulate and reach audiences.)  Different formats have different values within different situations.

As an independent, I want to tell a story, and I’m starting to realize that the tools to be able to tell a persuasive, enthralling story, don’t need to have its acquisition on the highest end, most expensive format.  There is a short list of things that are needed.  (Passion in do what you do, is also a necessary, given ingredient.)  Other tools are: software, having a portable digitally based editing station, (I like online tools and probably use picnik for photo editing more than anything else right now) must be able to travel well, acquire sharp footage, and clean audio with minimal cleaning.  I’m currently fascinated with video editing software that is able to edit quickly, with fast output.  Something has changed or shifted.  It’s shifting…  maybe I’m changing.  Something is changing.