So what does the Chattanooga Summer Reading Program video below have to do with web 2.0 technology? Besides the obvious fact that I used a digital camcorder, web 2.0 video editing software and posted it on the Internet with aol.com. Well, it is going to help me point out important facts about the use of technology and posting on the Internet.
First, it points out that a tool is a tool and it is the content of your message that makes 2.0 technology valuable. My video on the program's grand finale event showcases the volunteers, the library staff, the businesses and the families that made the event successful. The content within the video makes it valuable on many levels.
Next, it lets me point out that individuals should be responsible in creating and posting their work. It may be a public event you are recording but ask permissions before videoing closeups of people. You can video crowd scenes if you do it at a given distance and employee techniques that protect privacy. No names or personal information is given here.The children shown include my own child and those of friends. I asked their permission before videoing my friend's children. Parents of other children seen in close ups have signed permission slips provided by the library.
You can also protect personal privacy of your subjects with different techniques. The special effects used in this video keep the images moving quickly so identification is difficult. The close ups are of volunteers and library staff who understood they may be photographed. By focusing on them and less on the crowd I am able to produce an entertaining and informative video without violating privacy. You might also note that I shot the footage facing the voluteers with only the backs and some side glimpses of the crowd.
Another way privacy is protected happens through compression of the video. The low resolution that aol.com and other posting sites use have to do with the compression of video as it is uploaded. Low resolution softens the facial features enough to make identification slightly blurred.
So having said all of this, here is my digital documentation of this years summer reading grand finale. Temporarily posted of course. A hard copy will be given to the library.
