Vlogging life
| Vlogging life | |
10 June 2005
Today, anyone with a bog standard video cam, broadband and the appropriate web space can upload footage and potentially nab a global audience for their cinematic efforts. Traditional TV broadcasters, meanwhile, are already quaking in their boots for good reason. Younger viewers are increasingly abandoning the box in favour of online gaming via games consoles. And as broadband adoption nears almost universal coverage more and more of us are opting for TV on demand services and seeking alternative viewing content. Inevitably, the net effect will be that advertising follows the viewers. This is already happening in console video games where development is now being part funded with revenue generated from product placement and in-game advertising. By logical extension, then, the next frontier will be vlogs. For a vlog with a large enough audience for its output will undoubtedly command the attention of advertisers as they, by definition, follow the eyeballs. And frontier is a good choice of word to describe vlogging. It truly is a new untouched territory where everyone can stake a claim as a TV producer and broadcaster regardless of finances, opportunity or, indeed, talent. More importantly what vlogging is in the wider picture is a level playing field where the TV production is literally out of the box, open and liberated for all to upload their take on the world. As alternative TV goes, it doesn’t get any more alternative than this. Much of what is produced is extremely niche, or, at worst, complete dross. However, as an insight into other people’s minds, the window on your monitor screen is now as discerning or indiscriminate as you want it to be. Deciding what to watch is no longer predicated on what the mainstream TV channels choose to feed us or offer as a menu. Forget reality TV. Log onto a vlog for a slice of life served up with the rough edges and little in the way of formulaic and tired TV show formats. Hence, perhaps, the success of many of the first wave of vloggers who have become minor internet stars in their own right by sharing their creativity, thoughts or, in some cases, the mundane and domestic issues that would never otherwise, even in a parallel universe, make it onto the screen. Here in the Highlands and Islands, tourism businesses, or indeed just about any business, could utilise the technology for promotional purposes. For instance, a tour of their establishment, a typical bedroom, the sights, attractions and landscape in their area are just some of the possibilities for a BB. With many tourism businesses already reporting a high number of bookings obtained via the internet, how many more might be possible by uploading some video footage of what the potential customer can expect when buying services and products? Musicians, artists and other creatives could incorporate a vlog into an existing web site to give greater width and depth to their showcase. Or, for the consumer, video of their kid’s birthday party for relatives near and far who couldn’t make it on the day. It may be a cliché, but the possibilities are only limited by the imagination. * To be continued – find out how to set up your vlog and get your blockbuster uploaded even if Steven Spielberg won’t be losing any sleep over the prospect. Vlogging links Vlogs in the news | |