Need Some Inspiration To Video Blog? Look no further ...

Screen capture of video blog

I was an early adopter of video blogging and screencasting.  In the last year or so, I've gotten away from it.  I really miss making videos and screencasts. 

I have a loaner FLIP Camera for a couple of weeks.  It is the camera that many nonprofits are using to tell their story because they're easy to use and inexpensive (they product giveaway program too).  So, since I have a short window to play with this camera, I've been hunting for inspiration and resources to get started exploring its possibilities.

For inspiration, I had to look no further than the "On the Road: Tanzania," a video blog from the UN World Food Programme.  They are using FLIP Cameras and Camtasia editing software to product a series of videos of their deep field work in Africa.  The videos include a visit nutrition centres where school kids show up for their daily meals and get a taste of original Masai goat.  The video bloggers Marcus Prior their spokesperson from East Africa.  

This is just one of the many different ways they are using social media for the fight against global hunger  which has only intensified with the financial crisis.   Take a quick look around their homebase Web site to easily see their creative use of social media, from bloggers campaigns to Wall Against Hunger.

If your nonprofit is exploring the use of the video to tell its story, the technology has gotten so much easier and the cameras a lot less expensive.  Here's a few how-to resources that relate to the camera and software that were used to create the On the Road: Tanzania video blog.

FLIP Camera

• Flip Video Camera:  These are easy to use, inexpensive cameras with a built-USB port.  There's partner program where your can apply for a camera - it's called Flip Video Spotlight.

• Advice about using the FLIP camera:   The Flip Spotlight site has a resource section with lots of tips for using the camera.  For example, storytelling.  There's also a YouTube Channel with some how-to videos and lots of other useful information.

Youtube

• The Art of YouTube: Jammed packed full of tips and best practices, Michael Hoffman's deck and resource post from NTC08 is a classic.
• YouTube Nonprofit Program Here's where you sign up for a Nonprofit YouTube channel if you haven't already, but be sure to check out the tip sheets.  Need more inspiration for nonprofit videos?  Check the blog and highlighted videos.

Video Guides for Nonprofits

• Quick Video Guide for Nonprofits:  WeAreMedia offers a very simple step-by-step guide and examples.
• Messagae in Box: Video: From Tactical Technology, a good step-by-step guide that covers all aspects of video storytelling for human rights activists.
• See 3 Video Guide: This step-by-by video guide goes from the picture to the techniques of story telling and into editing and marketing.   It's one of the better guides out there for nonprofits.
  
• Witness Training Materials:  Witness focuses on the use of the video for human rights advocacy.  Their how-to and training resources are top notch!

• Get Seen by Steve Garfield;  Steve is a video blogging pioneer and the person who first introduced me to its power back in 2005.   Steve's book is due out in December, 2009, and while it doesn't focus exclusively on nonprofits (or one camera), judging from the sneak peek at the draft - it's a must read.
  
• How To Make Internet TV: From the participatory culture foundation, an step-by-step guide.

Editing Software

• The camera comes with some editing software. I had the HD version and well, it had some glitches.  Then when I heard that the WFP was using Camtasia Suite to edit, the video software I used for many years to create screencasts, I'm going to give Camtasia and FLIP HD video shots a try.  Here some basic information from TechSmith.

Now all I need to find is some additional brilliant examples of nonprofit organizations using FLIP cameras.  Have an example you want to share?  Leave it in the comments.

Comments

[Fiona McLaren]

Here at Amnesty UK we're big fans of the Flip camera. Since we got a few it's made filming short interviews and clips of demos so much easier. It also means that 'non-techy' teams are able to film some of their own things as well as giving activists the power to make their activism more visible too!

Many of the films you see on www.protectthehuman.com have been filmed using one; it's been such a pleasure to use.

[Sarah Hawkins]

Hi Beth,

This is great information. I'm wondering, in the age of social media, how do non-profits balance the ethical dilemmas of privacy and the personal rights of individuals in our photos and movies, with the demand from our audiences to see real people -- not just stock photos? Are there any non-profits with really good policies on this topic? Do others struggle with it?

[Michael Stein]

Beth -- I've worked with several nonprofits that have strict "signed release" requirements on including the picture of any member/participant in photos of an event. Moreover, their CRM has a "no photos" field - these folks will never even be asked for a release if someone on staff sees they are in a picture. It will simply not be used.

so yes, it is an issue. By the way, the most common reason people in the orgs I was working with did not want to be used in photos was that they did not want their former partner to know where they and the children were.

[Will Coley]

Sarah, I do struggle with this issue. I'm doing a project now for an immigrant rights nonprofit that has created simple photo/video release forms in multiple languages since the community speaks several different languages. I have asked everyone that I have interviewed for a video to sign one in their language. That said, I often find myself filming folks in crowds in a way that protects their confidentiality (i.e. from behind, at a distance, etc.) when I'm not able to ask them for a release.

But the larger issue is who's creating the content? like Amnesty UK mentions. Ideally I'd like for the constituency itself to design and create the video content and make decisions about who's pictured. But I'm finding that this is hard to do in a short period of time especially in environments like schools where I'm now shooting. With technology like the Flip camera, nonprofits should explore "community-generated content" further.

[Shava Nerad]

Check out these links, Beth:

http://photohand.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/the-right-to-shoot-vs-the-right-to-publish/

http://transientspaces.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/the-release-form/

They might be helpful.

(saw your tweet, figured I'd respond here...)

[steve Garfield]

Hi Beth,

Thanks for the mention. Editing hte book now. It's exciting and I can't wait for it to come out.

[double edge safety razor]

Recently searched to itself for the razor. All it could not be defined on what to stop: to a safety razor, an straight razor or electric. Here american safety razor company
straight razor shaving
remington electric razors
has found a wide choice of razors. At everyone the pluses and minuses. But nevertheless I tend to a safety razor choice more. And you that will recommend?