If you’re still trying to get the hang of video editing, then you might want to check out this upcoming free “Webinar” from YouTube. Registration is open online. The seminar is geared toward those who are just getting into video, so if that’s you check this out. The session begins Dec. 17 at 1 p.m.
So you’ve found a video on YouTube that you’d like to use on your Web site or you’re interested in writing a story about. What are the ethical considerations and how do you decide if it’s worth covering? What are your legal responsibilities from accepting video from a user? Leah Betancourt, the digital community manager at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, has all of those answers in this post.
A story in today’s New York Times chronicles the rise of online video and shows some recent statistics that indicate users’ attention spans are growing significantly. It may no longer be necessary to hit the less-than-90-seconds mark that not so long ago was the ideal length for an online video. “A few years ago, three minutes ‘watching’ your computer felt like a novelty; now, it’s as familiar as your television set,” said one online video producer.
Colin Mulvany (The Spokane, Wa. Spokesman Review) just posted some great tips on how to approach video storytelling. This isn’t the type of how-to that goes through what buttons to push and what menu items to click, but it provides some very helpful advice on adjusting to the video mindset and getting the most from your video stories.