It's interesting that you're considering them. A few years ago, you may recall, I tried my hand at vlogging but found that it was both too much of a hassle (I was a bit more ambitious about the production values that this video you've made) and too much of a strain on my vanity (I was too often embarrassed about how I came off, a bit like hearing my voice recorded ... or, in fact, seeing a picture of me ... only times, like, a million!). I find writing a blog post relatively easy, both in practical and existential terms.
But since you posted those readings of Shakespeare at Bemsha, I've thought about it again. I think there's a definite use for embedding a video in a written post precisely if you're trying to get at something like "voice" or "performance". You are in a position to put your mouth where your words are. But in this particular post, you're just putting words in your mouth that would probably be communicated more efficiently in writing. I think the video medium needs to be more than a talking head in our line of work.
For example, I imagine it is technically possible to record screen activity, a web-cam image of yourself working, and, of course, your voice talking all at the same time. So you film yourself and your screen at once. You could then edit a few sentences or write a quick paragraph, commenting out loud along the way. Edit the film down to two or three minutes, cutting back and forth between your page and your face and you'd have a compelling presentation.
That might take a bit of work, especially the first few times you do it. But once you get the hang of it, it might be an easy way of producing a very useful and informative post.
Good points. Vanity is definitely a consideration. I am going to do a set of posts about enjambment on Bemsha that use my voice to demonstrate the points, rather than just speaking aloud something that would be better in written form.
Thomas's idea of a video post that actually captures some element of your personal writing process is super intriguing to me.
Otherwise, I'm not too keen on video/talking posts about writing. The disconnect between medium and message strikes me as a rhetorical hindrance given the purpose of SMT.
I never watch online videos--well, almost never--and much prefer to read because it's faster.
ReplyDeleteNo. I prefer to read.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you're considering them. A few years ago, you may recall, I tried my hand at vlogging but found that it was both too much of a hassle (I was a bit more ambitious about the production values that this video you've made) and too much of a strain on my vanity (I was too often embarrassed about how I came off, a bit like hearing my voice recorded ... or, in fact, seeing a picture of me ... only times, like, a million!). I find writing a blog post relatively easy, both in practical and existential terms.
ReplyDeleteBut since you posted those readings of Shakespeare at Bemsha, I've thought about it again. I think there's a definite use for embedding a video in a written post precisely if you're trying to get at something like "voice" or "performance". You are in a position to put your mouth where your words are. But in this particular post, you're just putting words in your mouth that would probably be communicated more efficiently in writing. I think the video medium needs to be more than a talking head in our line of work.
For example, I imagine it is technically possible to record screen activity, a web-cam image of yourself working, and, of course, your voice talking all at the same time. So you film yourself and your screen at once. You could then edit a few sentences or write a quick paragraph, commenting out loud along the way. Edit the film down to two or three minutes, cutting back and forth between your page and your face and you'd have a compelling presentation.
That might take a bit of work, especially the first few times you do it. But once you get the hang of it, it might be an easy way of producing a very useful and informative post.
Good points. Vanity is definitely a consideration. I am going to do a set of posts about enjambment on Bemsha that use my voice to demonstrate the points, rather than just speaking aloud something that would be better in written form.
ReplyDeleteI like this video post. I think it would be great to have them from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI think I could do ones a lot better than this, I think, with better production values, to really make it worth while.
ReplyDeleteThomas's idea of a video post that actually captures some element of your personal writing process is super intriguing to me.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, I'm not too keen on video/talking posts about writing. The disconnect between medium and message strikes me as a rhetorical hindrance given the purpose of SMT.