RC videos on 'tinternet

[Woodstock]

The subject of the internet and the posting of amateur videos has been become an issue that has been giving me pause for thought lately.  I know others will have totally different opinions, but my personal thesis is this:A few short years ago, decent videos posted on the ‘net were a bit of a novelty, particularly when the subject matter was a favourite hobby / activity.  We gorged (well, I did) on things like the incredible aerobatic videos of Dawson and Cliffhanger, the entries in Steve’s SlopeAerobatics Video Contests, Mikeosoars' great videos (like that moody light air video at Ashlet), etc. etc.… Now though, it’s a totally different world IMO.  There is a proliferation of cheaper and cheaper video cameras of better and better quality, together with easier and easier means of down and uploading video content to the net.  This is resulting in a veritable deluge of amateur video being posted to the ether that we are expected to look at.  The result (for me anyway) is over-stimulation and a very jaded viewer…Life is pretty hectic for most us these days, and time is at a premium, so prioritisation of the leisure hours we do have becomes increasingly necessary.  For this reason, I resent being expected to sit still and stare at a computer screen for 5, 8 or ten minutes at a time, to watch amateur video footage that may or may not turn out to be vaguely interesting.  Forums and chat rooms are very different animals, as you can fit participation into other activities, and you can scan and speed-read through stuff.  Videos demand of your time to the total exclusion of anything else, and you have no way of knowing before-hand if they are any good at all.  I feel that people are actually stealing my time when they post unedited videos of excessive length, of something they did today which they may find interesting, but which is of no interest to total strangers.  And this usually with the by-line:  “enjoy!”.  “Enjoy”?!!!!!!  Not very often I’m afraid ..Part of the problem may be that some don’t realise that a subject that may be of much interest to them (because it is of people they know, or is a record of some good times they themselves had) can be like watching paint dry to those that weren’t there or don’t know the people concerned.As for length of a video, I really don’t believe there is anything worth seeing (I’m talking about videos of RC flying) that can’t be shown within 2 minutes.  Anything beyond that involves repetition or excess and/or unrelated footage that should have been edited out…So, to conclude: In an effort to regain some of my life, I now have a policy of very seldom viewing videos posted on RC forums.  Those that I do click on, I give about a minute MAX.  If it hasn’t grabbed my interest strongly by then, I move on, rapidly.  So, OK, I'm a grumpy old fart, so shoot me (again) ..YMMV….

[Skip]

Woodstock said:

The subject of the internet and the posting of amateur videos has been become an issue that has been giving me pause for thought lately.  I know others will have totally different opinions, but my personal thesis is this:A few short years ago, decent videos posted on the ‘net were a bit of a novelty, particularly when the subject matter was a favourite hobby / activity.  We gorged (well, I did) on things like the incredible aerobatic videos of Dawson and Cliffhanger, the entries in Steve’s SlopeAerobatics Video Contests, Mikeosoars' great videos (like that moody light air video at Ashlet), etc. etc.… Now though, it’s a totally different world IMO.  There is a proliferation of cheaper and cheaper video cameras of better and better quality, together with easier and easier means of down and uploading video content to the net.  This is resulting in a veritable deluge of amateur video being posted to the ether that we are expected to look at.  The result (for me anyway) is over-stimulation and a very jaded viewer…Life is pretty hectic for most us these days, and time is at a premium, so prioritisation of the leisure hours we do have becomes increasingly necessary.  For this reason, I resent being expected to sit still and stare at a computer screen for 5, 8 or ten minutes at a time, to watch amateur video footage that may or may not turn out to be vaguely interesting.  Forums and chat rooms are very different animals, as you can fit participation into other activities, and you can scan and speed-read through stuff.  Videos demand of your time to the total exclusion of anything else, and you have no way of knowing before-hand if they are any good at all.  I feel that people are actually stealing my time when they post unedited videos of excessive length, of something they did today which they may find interesting, but which is of no interest to total strangers.  And this usually with the by-line:  “enjoy!”.  “Enjoy”?!!!!!!  Not very often I’m afraid ..Part of the problem may be that some don’t realise that a subject that may be of much interest to them (because it is of people they know, or is a record of some good times they themselves had) can be like watching paint dry to those that weren’t there or don’t know the people concerned.As for length of a video, I really don’t believe there is anything worth seeing (I’m talking about videos of RC flying) that can’t be shown within 2 minutes.  Anything beyond that involves repetition or excess and/or unrelated footage that should have been edited out…So, to conclude: In an effort to regain some of my life, I now have a policy of very seldom viewing videos posted on RC forums.  Those that I do click on, I give about a minute MAX.  If it hasn’t grabbed my interest strongly by then, I move on, rapidly.  So, OK, I'm a grumpy old fart, so shoot me (again) ..YMMV….

Ready, Aim ……. FIRE!!!!! Hi Mr Woodstock You could have saved yourself some time and effort by just writing the second-last sentence. Although I do agree with you in part and will also switch off the player after a minute or so if I don't like it. I also find I am becoming more choosy about the clips I choose to play. What I don't agree with, however, is conveying the attitude that people shouldn't use the internet for their own pleasure whether that be posting clips that make them happy, evoke pleasant memories or share events with friends and family. As you alluded to at the end of your rant, you are free to choose which clips you press play on. Similarly, other people are free to upload and share whatever they want.

[Lee Morgan]

I am also in the mind of " if the first min ain't grabbing the rest aint seen " , I edit vids myself and enjoy the process its self. I find my view ratings aren't very high but I am not after millions of views . I make them because I enjoy making them . Some of my vids will be special to some people , Like the ones I did on Lundy . Pauls F3F run is going to be of no interest to adam but adams run will. Phil Taylor shot some footage of me playing silly buggers with my wildthing, I don't care if no one else views or likes it , I love it   So its each to there own . I must say though I watch the DS vids recently posted else where , they were both 18+ mins long and I watched every bit , but I think the maker has involved the viewer in a strangeway , you almost feel that you know the people in the vid by the end , So I will keep my options open ( first min better be good though lol ) Lee

[Airwave]

Quite agree Chris.as one of those responsible for foisting video up here, I do make a (lot) of effort in trying to keep the vids interesting.It's a lot of work editing out the guff, but worth it (and it keeps me amused / out of the pub / off the whisky ) ok,.. it doesn't keep me off the whisky  Video is as much of a learning game (or probably, more) than photo's and writing.

[isoaritfirst]

We all know - keep it short - keep it sharp, keep it punchy or the viewer will wonder off.We all know that we should leave more on the cutting room floor than in the can. But we also are enthusiasts, and somewhat weird. So lets break that mould. I think I have changed my videos edit style a little, and I now have come to prefer the longer videos but they do need to tell a story or convey a mood to maintain any interest. Wizzing around up and down showing just how extreme you can be no longer has much interest to me, so perhaps in my videos I don't get that jaw dropping first minute that keeps the uninterested viewer viewing.But the world is a big place and somewhere there maybe an interested viewer. But what-ever, that's fine, since my main reason for editing now is for myself. I often watch one of my vids just before switching the computer down, They can be great personal memoirs, and they tidy up my cuttings. Having my videos available on the net is useful to me as they are there when ever I want them, and there are sufficient people that know me that have an interest just because they do, as I do with Cliffs or Claytons and Chris's, they are at locations I know and people I know so they have an interest.I totally understand Chris's view and my viewing of other random vids is not dissimilar to his, but what I see in videos that keeps me watching is possibly very different. Take Espen's run at the HOH, I have watched it a few times already, its not edited its not especially good quality, its not got a jaw dropping intro, but it is instructive. Over the last few years I have seen lots of videos of, for example Portland, I now have a good feel for that slope despite never having been and that may encourage me to visit when I am any where near close next time.  So keep them coming - some I will watch and some I won't.  But perhaps a little more use of the description block would help the viewer decide if the video is worth watching or not.I don't know if anyone reads these before watching, but they can be very useful for the viewer if they are used to either set the scene, or portray the editors thoughts etc.

[Peter G]

There aren't many glider guiders I have seen that have a talent for film making. Me included.However, unlike many, I really like watching F3F videos especially comps I havn't been at. It gives you an idea of what the air was like that photos and descriptions can't convey.I can't do editing so keep mine to single F3F runs, hopefully not too painful and clearly labelled so you know what you are letting yourself in for.There is also some brilliant stuff out there, a couple of my faves.....Pasty's videos always used to have a bit of narrative - http://ascensionuk.wordpress.com/  Just had another look and he is now into FPV, not as interseting as the old stuff.... yet.Goodwind has done some great stuff too - http://www.goodwindsoaring.blogspot.com/

[Woodstock]

Pasty did do some brilliant stuff!

[Woodstock]

Skip said:

Hi Mr Woodstock You could have saved yourself some time and effort by just writing the second-last sentence

This rant is actually a blog I composed originally for Steve Langes' SlopeAerobatics Video Contest, in support of the 3 minute rule (and then 8 minute videos get posted ..).  I didn't post it there in the end, posted it as a personal blog, but it does give the background to my thinking.  I guess too long a post is the same as too long a video eh ?

[Phil.Taylor]

Oh, the tyranny of video...Here's what I do:Set it playing, hit the pause button - let it load up a bit whilst doing other things / looking at other forum posts (in a new window/tab) - then "sample" bits of it - if its promising, then watch the whole thing - if not, nothing lost except a few moments & a bit of bandwidthPhil.

[Woodstock]

Skip said:

Woodstock said:

The subject of the internet and the posting of amateur videos has been become an issue that has been giving me pause for thought lately.  I know others will have totally different opinions, but my personal thesis is this:A few short years ago, decent videos posted on the ‘net were a bit of a novelty, particularly when the subject matter was a favourite hobby / activity.  We gorged (well, I did) on things like the incredible aerobatic videos of Dawson and Cliffhanger, the entries in Steve’s SlopeAerobatics Video Contests, Mikeosoars' great videos (like that moody light air video at Ashlet), etc. etc.… Now though, it’s a totally different world IMO.  There is a proliferation of cheaper and cheaper video cameras of better and better quality, together with easier and easier means of down and uploading video content to the net.  This is resulting in a veritable deluge of amateur video being posted to the ether that we are expected to look at.  The result (for me anyway) is over-stimulation and a very jaded viewer…Life is pretty hectic for most us these days, and time is at a premium, so prioritisation of the leisure hours we do have becomes increasingly necessary.  For this reason, I resent being expected to sit still and stare at a computer screen for 5, 8 or ten minutes at a time, to watch amateur video footage that may or may not turn out to be vaguely interesting.  Forums and chat rooms are very different animals, as you can fit participation into other activities, and you can scan and speed-read through stuff.  Videos demand of your time to the total exclusion of anything else, and you have no way of knowing before-hand if they are any good at all.  I feel that people are actually stealing my time when they post unedited videos of excessive length, of something they did today which they may find interesting, but which is of no interest to total strangers.  And this usually with the by-line:  “enjoy!”.  “Enjoy”?!!!!!!  Not very often I’m afraid

..Part of the problem may be that some don’t realise that a subject that may be of much interest to them (because it is of people they know, or is a record of some good times they themselves had) can be like watching paint dry to those that weren’t there or don’t know the people concerned.As for length of a video, I really don’t believe there is anything worth seeing (I’m talking about videos of RC flying) that can’t be shown within 2 minutes.  Anything beyond that involves repetition or excess and/or unrelated footage that should have been edited out…So, to conclude: In an effort to regain some of my life, I now have a policy of very seldom viewing videos posted on RC forums.  Those that I do click on, I give about a minute MAX. 

If it hasn’t grabbed my interest strongly by then, I move on, rapidly.

 So, OK, I'm a grumpy old fart, so shoot me (again) 

..YMMV….

Ready, Aim ……. FIRE!!!!! Hi Mr Woodstock 

 What I don't agree with, however, is conveying the attitude that people shouldn't use the internet for their own pleasure whether that be posting clips that make them happy, evoke pleasant memories or share events with friends and family. As you alluded to at the end of your rant, you are free to choose which clips you press play on. Similarly, other people are free to upload and share whatever they want.

I didn't imply that at all.

[Skip]

okey dokey then 

[Woodstock]

Eek!  Sorry I meant to delete most of that stuff...

[Rooster-X]

When I edit videos you have to try to be ruthless, everything in focus, in shot, cut to fit your music track unless its a quiet day and your picking up something other than the roar of the wind. Also it helps if you plan which shots you want to get in, launch, aerobatic manoeuvres or speed runs, landings and maybe a few shots of where you are mixed in with a few photos.Well that's the theory but its all difficult to do as well as getting some flying in yourself, especially when at a competition or when your struggling to learn somthing new like DS. The highest viewed video I have done is the worst one of my Pat Teakle Vega, but I'm guessing the name must get lots of hits on searches  Still learning, but fancy a proper dedicated camcorder rather than a stills camera and Sony Vegas is the best editor I've tried simply because you can edit 720p on a low power PC.  Tom