Unwatchable…
I have to admit I was initially intrigued by a video series about storytelling posted by Henry Jenkins.
Kurt Reinhardt, who produced this series, apparently, has indeed gathered some really smart people to talk about Storytelling, among them Clay Shirky from NYU. These are no dopes.
Unwittingly, however, Reinhardt has produced an instruction video on how not to make a video for online, or anywhere else for that matter.
For a video that is suppose to explain the essence of storytelling in video, it is absolutely unwatchable.
Terrible.
Awful.
Garbage.
There is a reason talking heads don’t work in online video and here is exhibit A. Watch the whole thing, if you can focus your attention for all 8 minutes, then tell me what you come away with.
Ironically, for a video that is supposed to be about storytelling, it is a stellar example of terrible storytelling itself.
First, let’s rip it apart for the production values – or lack thereof.
Whoever shot this thing had no idea how to tell a story with a video camera.
The subjects are all staring off into space somewhere. Online video is a very personal experience. It’s one on one. It’s me and the person talking to me. Most of the subjects are looking at something a bit off to the left of the camera, but I have no idea what it is. When someone is talking to me, I want eye contact. But that’s the least of it.
The video is nothing but a string of soundbites, all bludgeoned together. If someone had printed this as a written story, and said, ‘here, read this – it’s a bunch of quotes strung together from smart people. You figure it out’, we would all look at it and say ‘this sucks’. Just because it’s video, it does not give you a license to do that. Which is what this person has done.
The ‘cut aways’, (Clay Shirky’s cast!) are amateurish and distracting. I remember the thing on his arm more than I remember what he said, which is a mistake.
This thing needs a complete rethink.
It needs a narrative thread. It needs some intelligent writing.
You can’t just throw a bunch of badly shot soundbites together and call it a day.
And you certainly can’t call it an instructional video.
Grade: D+
And Henry, for crying out loud, if you want to see some videos about storytelling, take a look at www.nyvs.com
(why not?)
6 Comments
Eric Blumer August 26, 2010
I watched the video, and actually watched until the end. I was interested in the Content – simply because I have been researching the definition of storytelling and wanted to hear their perspectives.
Having actually written, produced, shot and edited thousands of stories on video… I am constantly striving to stay on top of the ways and means of video journalism.
But the video itself was poor. It was poorly produced, edited. It was radio. Radio disquised as video. It would play better on NPR.
I take that back. Even NPR makes use of natural sounds to spice up their storytelling. This was as dry as my morning fat free granola cereal. Dry.
The Craft was non existent – although he did use a light (really unnecessary if you know how to make use of window light.)
The Creativity was non existant. Period.
The Commitment to visual storytelling. Non existent…other than the producer travelled in order to get his radio interviews with his video camera.
The Content – kept me listening. Once. But I won’t return. I will tune into NPR and hope for a better, more aurally interesting feature to listen to. And I will do my own internet research to find the information.
That’s the competition we are all up against. People have infinite choices. We must provide the best value in all the Four areas in order to win the competition… and avoid being made fun of on someone’s blog. 😉
Eric Blumer August 26, 2010
Thanks for the warning. I will not waste my time. (Well, if I have a minute, I might see what the fuss is all about.)
Content?
Craft?
Creativity?
Commitment?
Which of these four Values of Video Journalism did this video series have?
Apparantly none. (I haven’t seen the vids.)
Content is king. In journalism, content includes natural moments, natural sounds. In production – however, directors like Ron Howard, can “create” any content they wish and have the budget for.
But visual content needs to be focused and interesting. The viewer is the most important element. If you lose the viewers… you FAIL. Buzzzzzzz. Game over. From the sounds of it, this “storytelling” video failed.
The NPPA has, for decades, taught the fundamentals of visual and video journalism / storytelling.
“Storytelling” is where Craft, Creativity, and Commitment meet Content.
I could write a book on the subject. I have been writing, producing, editing, shooting tens of thousands of video stories over the decades….
And studying the way others do it.
Content. Craft. Creativity. Commitment. These are the four “Values” of videojournalism.
jonathan berman August 25, 2010
I was gone in 60 seconds!
prw August 25, 2010
Yeah, it’s not so hot, but that’s mostly because those interviewed don’t have very much interesting or insightful to say. I’m guessing the questions asked of the participants were bad. The editing does make what is said even more tedious.
bill August 25, 2010
Sorry I could not make it through all 8 minutes, but in my defense it only took me 4 minutes and 33 seconds to agree with your assessment.
Michael Rosenblum August 25, 2010
It’s what Bill Safire used to call MEGO – My Eyes Glaze Over