August 24, 2006
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I’ve been making videos since the early 80s. I’ve worked with Beta, VHS, and digital tape. Most of my early videos were output directly to VHS tape for distribution to my family and friends. Now, with the advent of production quality streaming video on the internet, anyone with a camera and a DSL line can upload and watch videos online on sites such as Dropshots and YouTube. I downloaded all my movies from my own server and began a YouTube account in December of 2005. One of the first videos I uploaded was “Arbitrimage Dreams”, an ambitious collage of video footage culled from over five years of shooting, edited to haunting music supplied by the Bulgarian Women’s Radio and Television Choir.
The actual video, which is embedded in this entry below, is 9 minutes and 48 seconds long. I use Pinnacle Video Studio 9.3, and it took about two complete months to complete ”Arbitrimage Dreams”. I’m getting ready to create another video travelogue based on my VHS video “Nantucket Holiday Island”, and I still “owe” a Xanga VideoBlog for this month. In the meantime, I’d like to present “Arbitrimage Dreams” again for your viewing pleasure. Xanga has a Video section now, and I’ve added this video to my Xanga Videos, but the resolution is far better on the YouTube site, from which the video below is embedded.
I’ve noticed that a lot of Xangans embed YouTube videos in their posts. Most are from other sites, and some have been copy/pasted numerous times. I’d be thrilled if I ever see one of my own videos on somebody else’s site! I take a lot of time constructing them, and I consider my videomaking as artistic as my poetry or writing skills. I’ve been doing both writing and videomaking for much longer than some Xangans have been alive.
Before attempting to watch any video on my blog, TURN OFF ANY MUSIC that might be playing. The controls are on the left under the “Jukebox This Week” logo in the sidebar. Also, if you have a slow connection, you can still watch the video. You just have to wait a bit. Hit the “play” button, and then the “pause button” and wait until the grey slider has gone halfway across the page. This way the video will not “sputter” or “stop/start” as it is playing. The video is “streaming” from the YouTube server, so it will get to you eventually.
Please take the time to watch this, and if you do, I’d appreciate comments. You might have already seen this, and that’s okay. Perhaps you haven’t seen some of my other videos. I’ve got 17 of them online. The first link below takes you to the MikeVideo section on AllThingsMike, which has a history of my video career, and some still captures from some of my earlier “films”. The second link takes you to my YouTube “Channel”. I’m a “director” on YouTube, and a charter member. My stuff isn’t as popular as a lot of the lipsyncing and booty dancing that gets 1000s of hits, but I offer what I hope are entertaining productions with high quality and interesting edits.
MikeVideo Page on AllThingsMike
My YouTube “Channel”: MikeVideo
Comments (12)
It’s good that your willing to share your craft and experience with the rest of us out here. What’s your channel on youtube?
i’ll be back to play with your videos when i have more time. i’m sure your work and care will make it worth my time! :sunny:
*sigh* life in the sticks… where it is not economically attractive enough to investing in upgrades to utilities for 6 or 7 households… So, no DSL… now I have a reason to try to get to the public library tomorrow after an am doctor appt.
Maybe it wasn’t the way you had intended but if you have achance to check out my post from today ..please do
hugs
Mike
Amazing as always. It must take so much work to put these together. You are a most talented man you know. lol
Hope that things are going well for you. I should be back posting by the weekend.
Hugs
kat
mr. Mike,
wow, what can I say. The music was a perfect choice and the shots were random, but all held similar meanings. I loved the under water shots, but I always really liked the shot of the pigeon dancing on the pier post before flying off (at least it looked like it was dancing.) Anyways, I also loved the shots of the animals, but my main “aweness” is how did you get all of those shots. Most of the time when I see rhinos they’re lying down or nowhere to be seen (I know kind of contradictory). I hope all is well with you. Thank you for sharing your video. Peace out and take care.
Autumn
Now I am hooked….I want to learn how to do a video on here, I can do one of my land…..The music is awesome….way too cool….:wave::goodjob::goodjob::goodjob:
If you look closely I did lonk to yout blog
both the words mine and Mike are hyperlinked
…sorry perhaps i should have made it more clear…:wave:
RYC …Thanks for the information, I am glad you told me…I will have to check it out and see what I can come up with. I appreciate the help. New at some of this.:wave::goodjob::sunny:
yes, I remember the story of your folks. Thanks for the kind words about mine.
Mike, Wish you were closer as I have a new digital video camera and I am learning how to use it. I could use lots of pointers. Judi
You’re such a pro! …I didn’t get a chance to comment on your previous post. Morning sickness took over. I especially liked your last paragraph and poem. You have such a unique perspective. It’s entertaining and realistic and intelligent! I find that a great combination. :goodjob: