This is another SpinXpress related post (though it applies to more things than just SpinXpress). Last weekend we had a “hack-a-thon” at the Digital Dojo (Markus’ house) and shot a conversation about distributed production. This is an idea that I’ve been really interested in and working on since I started videoblogging. The idea, basically, is that you can put together a great team to work on something if you can work via the internet and are not limited to those that live in close proximity. Of course you can still work with people face to face, it’s just that you don’t have to let geography stop you. In fact there might even be projects that require people to be distributed around the world and couldn’t be done any other way. Anyway, I just thought I’d share this conversation. I think it’s the longest video I’ve ever posted here but I think it’s worth it.
Some technical notes about the video: At the last minute I realized that we had 4 Xacti cameras on hand so we did an impromptu 4-camera shoot. I then put it together using the mulit-cam feature in Final Cut Pro. I think the result really captures the actual event really well.
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Here! Here! I’ve got a Williamsburg, Brooklyn show with multiple large-screen venues in the neighborhood that’s geocentric and has strong business connections. How to get more people involved? http://wburgconcierge.com/vlog whose portal will be http://wburg.tv
I need distributed production help and inspiration.
I love this video
Great video. I believe in the Video Blogger Band that Jay was talking about!
I love this video, too. It gets me so excited.
What Jay says about people not doing it because they can’t make something as good as what they see around them is spot on. And his hopes for a band-like production across the world are mine, too.
Because we’re mostly doing it solo, it’s necessitated us being Jacks of all trades, something I’ve been uncomfortable with because I’ve had the luck to work with great crews before. This has stifled my ability to execute ideas.
I mean, what you’re talking about is what great professional film production has always been: several talented people in different disciplines working together, both during and post production. It’s just that now they all cluster together in physical communities and get locked into a commercial system.
And working with others independently and non-commercially at the moment is possible, but comes with its own problems - not least the geographical limitations of having to work with people you’re near to.
Maybe we really will be able to crews and likeminded collaborators across the world. It’s harder than walking next door, but I guess it remains to be seen how much harder.
It’s important also to get together and thrash things out face to face is also true… the alchemy and urgency that comes from sitting in a room together, or being on location together… but maybe not as important as we instinctively think?
I feel like my mind is opening up to the possibilities of projects that would have seemed inconceivable before this. And maybe I’ll be able to make the kind of things I gave up hope of making when I decided not to be an industry guy.
Keep dreaming
You rule
it’s all about multicam in fcp.
that is seriously cool
http://www.eai.org/eai/tape.jsp?itemID=1245
Wow Jason, cool link! If only they’d heard about Creative Commons maybe that knowledge could be passed on.
great vlog. I love the concept and where video blogging is headed. Oh… what cameras are you guys using? Can someone give me their recomendation (sp) on the best camera to use for video blogging?
It is really weird how video artists treat their creations like fine art - and want to hold onto them so tightly. It is not to dis them, but it ain’t collaborative.
I guess what is fascinating is the shared desire to reach out across the datasphere and work together.
It helps provide me with an often overlooked historical context for everything that has been blowing up since you all hit the red ‘vlog’ button.
I love the multicam effect. I also love the topic of the conversation. Great video.