The Video Revolution

Video is everywhere. At no other point in human history has so much emphasis been placed on the moving image as an enhancement to how we receive and interpret information. From CNN.com to Reddit, the appetite for original video content continues to grow by leaps and bounds. If you are wondering, “who is to blame,” you can lay all the praise or condemnation on the Internet.

The web has evolved from its early roots as a method of transmitting text to a multimedia-rich, visual medium of communication. Just look at what it has done to politics and journalism. Check any mainstream political or news site and you will see lots and lots of video. Why is video so pervasive? Well, one reason is because of the ease with which even the novice can capture, edit, upload, and distribute video. Add to this the ubiquity of broadband and it suddenly becomes obvious why our culture is being inundated with video content.

While some may argue that it is the Internet that is driving the rapid development of cheaper and better quality tools for video production, others insist it’s the other way around. I say it is a convergence of the two with a third important element: the emergence of the Millennials as a consumer base. The Millennials are those individuals born between 1982 and 1995. They are the first generation of Americans raised with an awareness of the Internet, and are also the first culture whose primary media source is TV. More than their predecessors the Millennials are the ‘video’ generation.

All of this has led to an explosion in the production of video content for online consumption. Whether it is Huffingtonpost, Reddit, or CNN.com, everywhere you look it seems as if anyone and everyone with a computer, smartphone, or tablet is making videos and posting them online.

How then does this new reality affect us as documentarians? First, it means that we now have a lot more competition. Second, it suggests that the old philosophy of buying the best camera that you can afford may not be true anymore. Why would someone lay out $20,000 for a RED when they can pay $5,000 for a DSLR and still maintain a high level of visual quality? Sure, some may argue that a video camera is not a still camera, and vice versa, but the evidence indicates that the line between what we consider “professional” grade and “amateur” is blurring to the point that, as Indie doc makers, there is compelling reason to seriously consider the latter when determining which camera to buy for our projects.

But it’s not only the price difference that makes these new video devices an interesting choice. It is also their form factor. The fact that I can record video on a device as small and easy to carry as a DSLR or smart phone presents intriguing possibilities. Oftentimes, interviews happen in places that are unaccommodating to large camera cases and equipment. DSLRs, smart phones, tablet computers, make it possible to capture footage in ways and places never dreamed of even a decade ago. Moreover, all of these devices record in a highly compressed HD format. With most manufacturers claiming a resolution of 720p or higher, this means that the video quality from these devices is as good or better than most of the non-fictional, TV programming of the 80’s and 90’s. Take a look at the video link above. It is a short documentary shot with a Canon DSLR and some prime lenses. The entire production cost less than $5K to create.

Next week we will take a deeper look at some of these alternatives to traditional video cameras, and how they are revolutionizing the documentary art form. Until then, have a great week.