mediageek

Category: video

  • Conference Video: Making Effective Online Video for Education

    I moderated a panel on educational video at the Streaming Media West conference this past November, and video of that session is now up for viewing online at ScribeMedia.org. I was very impressed by the panelists, each of them bringing a unique perspective on the question of what makes effective online video for education. I…

  • Making the Most of Limitation

    One of the most continuously engaging and inspiring elements of DIY culture is the limitation. Of course, lots of creators would love to have millions of dollars to blow on equipment and 80 hours a week to dedicate to a project. But that’s not a reality for most people, and I think too much energy…

  • The Future of Educational Video? or The Blair Witch Podcast

    My latest education column for Streaming Media Magazine is now online: You’re watching an online video. The scene is dimly lit. There’s just a single harsh light on our subject’s face in extreme close-up. The sound, while understandable, is full of popped Ps and distorted peaks. Is this a sequel to the Blair Witch Project,…

  • New Sony Cam Appears To Get Flash Memory Recording Right

    Unfortunately, the entry price is over $6000 MSRP. But if you’re a video pro or a very serious indie journalist/documentarian you might consider saving your pennies and golden dollars for the just announced Sony HVR-Z7U. The specs on this thing really sound like Sony has been paying attention to what serious video makers want in…

  • Reclaim the Media Presents Community Media Film Festival

    I think this is just a great idea and I wish I could be out in Seattle to attend. It’s a great weekend for community media events. You could start this weekend in Montreal for CKUT’s Redefining Media conference starting Friday (hear more about it on last Friday’s radioshow), then jet over to Seattle to…

  • Oaxaca Documentary Released

    In May 2006 the annual teachers’ strike in Oaxaca, Mexico turned into a people’s movement and uprising against the repressive response of the Oaxacan and Mexican governments. As part of that movement, known as APPO, the people took over radio stations, using broadcasting as the most effective tool for communicating with often remote indigenous villages…

  • Amen! Film Flap asks: “Where, Oh Where, Has the Mic Input Gone?”

    If you want to do anything remotely related to serious video work, it is arguably the most important jack to have on a camcorder: the mic input. Why? Because unless you’re shooting in a phone booth, or super-extreme-close-up, your camera is farther away from your subject than you want your mic to be. If you…

  • Paper Tiger Celebrates 25 Years

    Paper Tiger TV has been producing thought-provoking and challenging television programming for 25 years. Before the age of the internet, DVD and widespread VCR ownership, much of Paper Tiger’s programming was seen on public access stations around the country, and on satellite TV (not DBS like DirecTV, but old-school BUDs). Collectively organized, Paper Tiger was…

  • Sanyo Taking Another Shot at Handheld Hi-Def Cams. Is It a Case of Utility More Than Quality?

    I continue to be intrigued by these little “Hi-Def” camcorders (scare quotes intentional) by Sanyo, even if not enough to acquire one. I haven’t been able to get my hands on one because I don’t know anyone who has one and no local stores carry them. When they first came out last year reviewers gave…

  • NYT’s Pogue Agrees: Tapeless Camcorders Not All They’re Cracked Up To Be

    Ever since DVD-R and hard drive based camcorders came on the scene I’ve been pointing out that their supposed convenience is outweighed by the difficulty of editing the video files they create. To me, being able to edit the video you shoot is the reason to have a digital camcorder. I don’t know too many…