Last Friday, the media committee held a Corps Day at SPNN. We split into groups, created four different videos, and then learned how to upload them using blip.tv. If you get a chance, you can check them out on the new media committee blog. I'm also reposting a part of the tutorial I wrote up, entitled "Why online video?"

All right, class. Today we’re going to talk about posting the videos we’ve created onto the internet.

But Kevin, why would we want to do that?

Because all the cool kids are doing it. It’s actually a question I don’t think about very often. As someone who works in video, the internet seems like a natural extension, an easy way to get more people to view what I’ve made. Video is a medium and the internet is a distribution mechanism. And apart from making your organization appear “hip,” internet video can be a really effective way to convey information.

But Kevin, what kind of information can be conveyed?

Well, here are a few examples of how some people are using internet video.

Vlogs: We’ve all heard about vlogs, or video blogs. The show with zefrank is a popular one. The Set It Up blog is a big hit overseas.

To promote an idea / spread an agenda: There have been a number of recent news stories about political campaigns utilizing online video. The Hillary Clinton / Apple ad mash up has been getting a lot of press of late (I just watched it for the first time as I was writing this post). One example that I think is particularly good in terms of conveying information in video form in order to promote an idea is Big Brother State, which deals with issues of privacy and surveillance.

Instructional Videos: This is an area that may very well be applicable to the work that you do at your site. Video can be used as a teaching tool. The other day, I had to wear a tie. I learned how to tie a tie when I was in Cub Scouts, but it was information that my brain seems unable to retain. I never remember how to tie them. So I did a quick search, and found this video. Problem solved. About once a month, SPNN posts a “tech tip” video online. This month’s tip is on using a light meter.

Outreach Tool: Online video can be used as an outreach tool for your organization or its programs. DoGooder.tv is a great example of this, as it allows people to watch videos created by non-profit organizations. “Once site visitors see the compelling stories of nonprofits, DoGooderTV gives them a direct way to donate to the organization, join, volunteer or simply find out more information.” Here’s one example: North Texas Food Bank. TechSoup has a great write up on promoting your non profit organization through video using free online tools.

And much more! Have you used online video in the past, either in your personal life or at your work site? Tell us about it in the comments!

This image is a photo of my Dad being displayed on the wall of the Musée de l'Elysée in Lausanne, Switzerland. I took the photo this past December and subsequently submitted it to the We Are All Photographers Now! project. The installation is meant to explore the digital revolution and the blurring line between professional and amateur photographer. People from around the world are encouraged to submit their photography for display. The exhibit lasts until April 20th, so if you're interested in participating there's still time to submit. Oh, and my dad doesn't like the picture of him that I sent in, so I'm posting one that he does like to make up for it. Here he is in Copenhagen standing by his MG.

On Friday night, I got together with some friends and we made t-shirt stencils! The whole process was surprisingly fun, easy, and cheap. We drew from a couple of different tutorials and went with the freezer paper method. This involves drawing or tracing an image onto the freezer paper and then cutting it out to create a stencil. You can then iron the freezer paper onto your fabric and paint over it using acrylic paint. Once the paint dries, you peel the freezer paper off and admire your handiwork. I took a couple of pictures of the sweatshirts I printed on along with Erin's awesome Magnum PI shirt that Emily painstakingly crafted for her.

Here's the latest episode of Set It Up. It's about entertainment, and segments include MySpace, the local music scene, and snowball fights. Oh yeah.

So here's the video that came out of the idea that Jeremy and I had. The concept was that I would create a video and Jeremy would write a song. In an hour. We hope to attempt the same sort of thing every month. If you dig it, hold us to it. The footage was taken on a road trip last winter. Any comments are truly appreciated.

Here's the latest Youth Update from SPNN. This was shot by the Youth Advisory Committee, and if you like sock puppets then you'll like this video.

The idea for this post came from an e-mail exchange that started this morning. Really condensed, it would read something like this.

Kevin: It was really wet out on the way to work, and I started thinking about how it would be cool to make a video with people jumping in puddles.

Jeremy: I'm in.

So I didn't make a video about splashing in puddles. But we did decide to spend an hour - just an hour - putting together a video and writing a song to go along with it. Both of us are so busy with our lives/jobs/school/whatever that we don't find the time to do the things we love to do and that we're good at. So we're hoping that once a month, we'll take just one hour out of our days to make a video and write a song. And then we'll post them. And we'll be better people for it.

The Return to Vegas, Part 3

I've been waiting a while to write this next blog entry about my experience at the WSOP. The whole event still has yet to fully sink in.

The day of the final table of the Main Event of the 2006 World Series of Poker was exciting. There was this great sense of anticipation, a buzzing in the halls of the Wynn. Seating at the World Series is extremely limited, so people were lining up early on. I used my press pass to push through to the media bleachers, where I would spend the first few hours of the World Series chatting with an Englishman representing 888.com. He talked about the stresses of the World Series, having to travel to the United States and deal with Customs when the very legality of your business is in question. Like much of Vegas, he seemed to be a contradiction - loving the game but hating what it's become. It was one of the more sane, honest, and enjoyable conversations I had in Vegas.

Much was made of Paul's cheering section, and it truly was the loudest and rowdiest. There were times when it felt like the outcome of a hand depended only upon how loudly we shouted. I won't try to go into detail about the hands. I honestly don't remember them, and you can find coverage of them online or in the constant reruns on ESPN. But Paul kept hanging in there. And then finally it came down to two. And at some point it felt like reality had swung away and that there was nothing else going on in the world. Paul came in second. Second place in the main event of the 2006 World Series of Poker. For six point one million dollars.

Slight redesign. Hope you all like it. I've also added some new blogs to the sidebar, so check those out if you get a chance.

I encourage everyone to check out this really awesome short video about surveillance and privacy: Big Brother State.