Just as an experiment I made a five minute video. It’s on the same topic as last Monday, (ie How important is fashion for dressmakers?) and will not be of great interest to regular readers who have been there, done that, and left a comment – for which I am very grateful. After hearing Stephanie on her blog (recorded in the car in two languages with musical accompaniment) and watching a couple of films Megan put up I was tempted to have a go a making a video. Mainly to see if I could. And having made the video I am now critiquing it, and would appreciate any feedback you would like to offer too.
My first attempt has shown me making a film is a lot harder than it looks.
Inevitably I tried to replicate my blogging – so it’s all talk. It might have been better as a Podcast, and maybe that is what I will conclude at the end of my experiment. If it’s a film it has to be visual.
I am sure, like me, you use Youtube and other sites to learn from the “How To” videos. I have watched one excellent Sandra Betzina fly insertion video a dozen times. Love her voice, the crisp, clear instructions and the quality of the filming. But I watch instructional videos – I don’t think I have the patience or expertise to make them. The key thing with a film must be “show – don’t tell”, right?
I love writing and will continue to blog until I run out of excitement and ideas. I started blogging, in part, to learn more about social media and how it works. In the same vein I wanted to try filming and editing, and having done it once I am beginning to think about what it takes to make a short, watchable film.
- In 1964 my father came back from Japan with some footage of the Tokyo Olympics, taken on his portable cine camera. It had been developed and edited “professionally” by Percy Olsen – the man who ran the local photography shop. We watched it, with wonder, like we were at the Odeon.
- My first husband John made films as a student and we recently had the pleasure of finding one his old films. In those days using and editing video was complex, involved expensive equipment and long nights in the editing suite.
- Today technology is so advanced that I made a film at home at virtually no cost and in about an hour.
I admit I had some help. I used my phone to make the video. You may be able to see my husband’s ghostly shadow as he was walking around while I was doing it. My son George helped me edit it. We used iMovie which is an amazing programme and not too hard to grasp.
I should have probably just deleted the video but I feel proud of it, despite its obvious shortcomings. It’s very underdeveloped but it made me aware of the possibilities and I want to try again. I will listen to any feedback and then have another go. If you can find five minutes to watch it (or even part of it) I would appreciate your thoughts.
- Is there any point in making videos – or is a blog better?
- If it’s a visual thing what would you like me to show you (given I don’t think I am good enough to make an instructional video, and there is plenty of that out there already)?
- Would a film about something (say street fashion, or an exhibition say) with a running commentary be better than seeing me talk?
- What about a podcast? It would be easier for me to make and it would be closer to the blog format (like an article in a newspaper or magazine)
- Would you like to see me interviewing people? I used to have quite a few guests on the blog but that was quite hard work
- What about length? Five minutes seems a bit long to me, but I in terms of topic it only covers half of what I would cover in a blog post.
Anyway here is the link if you would like to watch my “test” video, and I would love to hear your honest feedback.
My First Video: What is Fashion?
Thank you.
Marie-Noëlle
First, I want to say thank you for taking the time to make this video. I have already think it could be an altenative for blogging as it seems more lively but honestly I find it very intimidating. Another reason I like watching videos is that English is not my mother tongue and I like to hear different sorts of accents. IMO videos are more pleasant than podcasts maybe because I am more visual than audio. I would tend to say that the problem is not is there or isn’t there a point in making a video or a blog post ? Do as you like. This is your own thing. Have a go and if you feel at ease and enjoy it do it !
fabrickated
Thank you sweet Marie-Noelle – it feels a bit exposing so your nice remarks are reassuring.
Jay
I think that you did a super job on editing this so as to avoid those typical sewing video hiccups of long pauses, over explaining, and slowwwwwww intros. The length was right, it did leave one waiting for the follow up. For me, having this as a video instead of a podcast was a good choice, because the still photo inserts helped to make the point very well. For example, if I just heard that nuns who taught you dressed as they had for centuries, but now wore more modern dress, I would have understood but found it less interesting. Fashion is essentially a visual field, and the visuals help.
Podcasts from bloggers whose work I read have often not seemed all that interesting, apart from the opportunity to hear the real voice. It’s more difficult to think of content which lends itself to sound only.
Mags
Well done, you did a good job and you come over well on camera. I think you feel you get to know people better on a vlog. I’ve already read your blog so it’s difficult to comment properly. I watch a lot of vlogs and enjoy the ones which show the journey from fabric to garment and you get a much better idea of a garment when you see it moving. I don’t listen to podcasts because I’m very visual and loose concentration, so in terms of vlogs which have a predominantly talking content I prefer to read this on a blog. Don’t know if I’ve made sense there.
sew2pro
This is an excellent idea, and very innovative of you as a sewing blogger to make the leap. Though it was no surprise to hear what your voice is like, I do think it’s works as it is fresh (in a sense of being refreshing!) and quite distinct. I like how the Fabrickated logo stands out at the start and end.
Though I haven’t seen the Betzina video, some of my favourite sewing lessons have come via YouTube: it’s such an easy way to learn and free too. Whenever my daughter wants to learn something e.g. how to plait hair or help mum blend eyeshadow, or to make something (remember the Loom Band craze?), it’s straight to YouTube. Their branding is exciting. Books just lag behind the times too much and blog tutorials aren’t visual enough.
I hope you do do one again but I’d suggest no sofa; instead stand, walk or show more. On a podcast however, you’d need to describe more (not for tutorials then).
I watched your ex-husband’s video too. It really was the 80s, wasn’t it! The way people looked, talked and dressed and interiors is just like England was when I first arrived to live here in Nottinghamshire.
Lisa
I think you did great! Your subject matter was interesting and the way you incorporated other photos of what you were talking about added to the visual interest. You articulate well and I look forward to seeing what else you may do. 🙂
Stephanie
I like that SB video too. Kate I look forward to listening to this carefully when I have a quiet moment. Good for you for making a real blog video!
Mary Funt
Excellent video. The editing was good and didn’t have gaps/pauses. The insertion of photos was effective in demonstrating your points. The indoor setting with you on the sofa is good for the intro. Maybe add some footage of you walking outside showing people dressed in the fashions you are discussing. My sons often post videos of their fishing adventures so I know that sometimes you need much more footage than you actually use and there is a learning curve to the editing process. You did an excellent job with the pace of the film. I hate demos that take forever to demonstrate a point. Yours flows nicely, not too fast or slow. I’m looking forward to more.
Joyce Latham
Well done Kate. The video makes me feel like I know you ,personally better. Your tone of voice, and body language are added information.
I agree with the others that the added photographs are excellent, and either more moving around or no background to distract me as a viewer.
Taking a subject too seriously could be risky. The vblog I have watched usually have some kind of humor (the family dog that keeps getting in the way etc)
It was your first attempt, and I feel you will become more relaxed as you make more. There is absolutely nothing wrong with yours. I’d tune back in again!
Could you leave advice at the end….like, ” don’t be caught in your OLD” mom” jeans”? I sort of want to understand what is the purpose of the video, and I want a satisfying conclusion.
With podcasts, and I have not listened to many, but I feel you really have to watch the umm-ing
Isn’t it hard the look at a camera while you talk! Insane isn’t it.
Applause applause for another adventure … Keep making vblog !
Joyce
Kerry
I agree with Joyce’s comments. You were very brave and did a fabulous job for your first attempt! My guess is you’ve done SOME public speaking? It was evident that you became more confident and relaxed as you went along because your voice became more animated and you moved your head around a bit more. Do you think YouTube would be good for things such as exhibitions (adding commentary later) or for when you have an interesting project that could benefit from visual media? But how much work is it for you? Did you enjoy the process? Dawn O’Porter has produced a few podcasts where she interviews people about their fashion choices and that works without the visual prompts.
Joyce Latham
Hi Kate,
I’m back to say….I would like to see you do street interviews. And after a moments thought, I think I would like to hear more about the people who refus to believe they are not influenced by fashion.
Later then
Joyce
Annnieloveslinen
Well! Get you! This is exciting. I like a lot.
Ok feedback. You speak clearly without annoying verbal tics; you came across well from the beginning and better when you got into it more; A neutral background would be less distracting; Props would aid the viewers experience.
I don’t know what direction or focus you would like to develop this departure but there are many blog posts that could be linked to a video or series of videos.
I would certainly subscribe to your channel because I use YouTube and that fits for me, Instagram and Pintrest, not so much.
I’m off to read what others have replied, I wanted to give my initial thoughts here first.
Lynn Mally
Being an old style girl, I would much rather read a post than watch a video. I’m glad to hear that you will continue writing too!
Mary
Well done. Watch the um’s and err’s! What I think you do well in your blog is analysing individual style and colour on people and think that would be a great way to go instead of being about fashion in general.
BMGM
I use Camtasia for the Mac and highly recommend it. Even if you don’t buy the software, their how-to videos about how to make videos is instructional. (I make instructional videos for the Computational and Informational Systems Lab of NCAR, aimed at beginning graduate students around the world.)
They key is to script beforehand and edit and re-edit the script. Then film. Then go back and re-edit your script if necessary. Preparation and post-processing make up the bulk of the work.
And know your audience! Who are they and what is their existing knowledge base? What do you want to convey to them? What do you want to learn from them?
fabrickated
You are such a technical expert BMGM! I think my audience is much the same as the blog audience – maybe not. I shall have to see what happens. Thanks so much for watching and giving me your feedback.
Jenny
I think the video is a great way to connect with readers. Nice to hear your voice! The animation makes everything more personal. Your public speaking experience is a great asset as you come across assured and measured in your delivery. I can’t tell you how many sewists there are out there who I’ve tried to watch but their laboured voices and overly detailed explanations have made me lose the will to live!!
I’d try and balance the amount of static delivery eg sofa stuff with even more examples. Also I’d consider this medium particularly useful for explanation of skills/ techniques you are applying. For example I’d love to have seen how your cling film bodice, when cut off you, was adapted to make it a flat template. Or how you deal with a fitting problem. I accept the fact that you’d have to work round that much of the fitting of garments etc requires being semi clad but I always think they handle that well on the GB Sewing Bee.
The only negative from my perspective is that reading is so much quicker, you can scan and alight on the areas that particularly interest you whereas with videos you can’t be that selective. So whilst there is a place for videos etc long live the blog.
fabrickated
Thank you so much for your sensible and detailed feedback Jenny. I think the sofa was a bad idea. I need to stand up and move about more. Great idea to film the cling film wrapping (which we are doing in September) and other things I can do that are a bit more unusual – like silk painting – rather than the classic techniques. And fitting – yes – its always a mystery! I prefer reading too so my inclination is to have shorter films that do what writing cannot.
eimear
its really great, your voice is clear and it comes across very well. I liked the way you used the visual references and I would loved to have seen more…. its a great topic to muse over………………….. also love the suggestion there of the street interviews!
fabrickated
Thank you for having a look Eimear. I will think about how to do a street one. I have started looking around and most people do not dress in an interesting way!
fabrickated
You are very kind. I think I need to move about more and show something worth seeing. Thanks for the feedback Eimear.
Chris
It was lovely seeing you on video Kate. You sounded just like I imagined, and come across very well ‘on screen’.
I’m not a huge fan of podcasts for crafts as I need the visual. I’m also a very fast reader,so enjoy skimming through blogs before reading in-depth.
I don’t always have the attention span for videos unless they are instructional and get straight to the point. l do think the video format would work well for an exhibition visit, or out and about style spotting as suggested by others. I also agree with a comment above, that the cling-film bodices would have been very interesting on video.
I could see video snippets (eg..perhaps you working on a technique and voicing-over), and then inserted into a written blog as being very useful – rather than it needing to be an all or nothing approach.
fabrickated
What a good idea to just put in a 30 second video to explain what I mean. Brilliant – thanks Chris.
Jenny L
I thought you did really well, because although you are well versed in speaking in public it must be quite different speaking to camera. You have a lovely speaking voice, not quite as I expected but easy to listen to, although rather serious. Some vloggers are much too silly, giggly and self aware so I much prefer your presentation. Podcasts leave me cold – I need something to look at or I lose interest (or fall asleep). I mostly use YouTube for tutorials but on the whole prefer the written blog. I have subscribed to your channel and look forward to your next video (when you have time).
fabrickated
Jenny – this is such nice and generous feedback. Thank you. I will probably do one video a month, assuming I have something to say, as I am keen to learn more about the technique.
Jenny L
Ps. I tried to watch John’s video but it said it was unavailable. It said it was called Boy Seeks Girl by Christopher Beresford – was that it?
fabrickated
Yes Jenny. I wonder why it was not available. Marianna was able to watch it. I will check the link and send it to you by email.
fabrickated
I just tried it – seems to work for me.