Online video approaches, innovation
Now we’re talking about breaking away from the so-called rules of online video.
So watch this, and see what you think:
Original video (bigger) here. (See the 270 comments posted there.) Videographer Benjamin Reece is a filmmaker and interactive architect from New Orleans.


I gave up after a minute of of exposition but no narrative. I’m guessing I’m not alone. Some rules still apply.
October 31, 2008 at 11:38 amThe first 2 minutes is way too lonnnnng. I wanted to close out the window.
October 31, 2008 at 12:04 pmReminds me of Farkas’ “Interviews-50 cents” – I agreed that the lead in was too long. A few of these would have been fun…but too long.
October 31, 2008 at 12:20 pmSo – not that innovative IMHO and needed to think more about holding attention.
This piece totally works, it’s a art/journalism mash-up. That first minute is great because he’s getting genuine moments as they wait for the call of action. Not everything needs to be TV news or freaking Frontline. Journalism can be art.
October 31, 2008 at 1:53 pmI may be the only person but I thought it was beautiful. Could have been tighter in the first few minutes. Has viral potential, I think. It’s immitatable – which is the highest compliment on youtube.
October 31, 2008 at 1:58 pmUuuuuh, this is nice! I disagree partly with the too-long-exposition-critique — yes, it _is_ long, but the desire to find out the actual question and the visuals kept me entertained. I actually watched it all the way to the very last second (kind of a “humm, what would I wish for?” moment) despite being very easily distracted usually ;D
October 31, 2008 at 2:54 pmTouching and engaging. I agree that the first couple minutes could have been compressed. But, who needs narrative and why must the rules always apply? That’s one of the components that added to its beauty. It was intuitive and simple in its intent, yet it spoke volumes about the human condition.
October 31, 2008 at 3:29 pmI totally love it.
Thank You for sharing.
October 31, 2008 at 4:07 pmI liked it a lot, but I think I just-so-happened to be in the mood to watch it. I could see myself getting distracted fast at the wrong time and never coming back to it.
I think basically a shorter version of the same thing (compress the first two minutes into 20 seconds, etc.) would be ideal.
October 31, 2008 at 4:13 pmThis is cool — I’m intrigued by the mix of opinions.
October 31, 2008 at 4:15 pmI, too, felt that the open was too long, but I wonder if it would have worked with a shorter one. The buildup gives the question some gravitas it wouldn’t otherwise have had.
October 31, 2008 at 4:50 pmRegardless of whether you like the video or not, the most amazing thing about is that it was shot with a Canon HV20, which is a total cheapie camera you can buy online for under $600. They get the film-like quality by adding a DIY 35mm SLR adapter. It’s pretty amazing quality for that level of camera.
October 31, 2008 at 5:11 pmI’m thinking of how to apply this. New man on the street? Would it work as well with the issue of the day, or only with big dreamy questions? I’m probably going to try this a few ways.
October 31, 2008 at 6:02 pmI think there is a kind of tenderness to this that we don’t often see in journalistic video.
October 31, 2008 at 6:46 pmI’m sitting in my office feeling thankful that I teach journalism. Thanks.
November 3, 2008 at 10:08 amthank you guys for the kind words and criticism! Looking forward to sharing with you guys the bigger project that has come out of this:
http://fiftypeopleonequestion.com
new video is coming extremely soon…
November 3, 2008 at 11:44 am