I try to make a practice of catching onto the latest thing no sooner than ten years late. I’m breaking that a little here by picking up video only several years after it became easy to do.
I realized that I freeze up around getting video done. I keep not getting it done, except in little bits. So I decided to do a video a day for two weeks, not including my birthday, which was yesterday, and not including weekends, because that’s family time.
So here’s day one:
I’m guessing I will get into interesting bits about business and spirituality. I’m also guessing that I won’t use way too many iMovie effects, like I did on this one.
Comment or not, this series is strictly for me to get used to this.
Here are the others:
- Day Two- on fear and emotion in business
- Day Three- The four layers of the heart and how we clean them
- Day Four- Spiritual Transmission, giving an experience to a client
- Day Five – Seth Godin, a Sufi sheikh and moi- How to write a lot of books
- Day Six – The “Meh” Edition, and sudden insight into inspiration
- Day Seven – The “Lackluster Rain” edition
- Day Eight- The B Roll edition. And- is strategy spiritual?
- Day Nine- Wrap up, and fearless karaoke.
43 Responses
mark! i love this!
your authenticity is such a relief.
i spent most of this afternoon working on videos for a creative journaling kit i am putting together. i am in a frustrating place with it in the editing process, i can’t believe how much time i’ve spent with it, and took a break to check my google reader and here you are.
i’m really looking forward to seeing where this challenge takes you. i was thinking of challenging myself to a once-a-week video.
.-= ABCcreativity’s lastest post: intention movement =-.
I’m so glad to hear that. Not the frustrating part, but that my struggles with it are providing relief to you.
I thought about once-a-week, but for me I know if I do it once-a-day, I’ll have to be satisfied with doing a “just-okay” version every day, and I think that will be really useful.
i posted my once a week video today!
i also made a really kick-ass video about my coaching services that i’ll post next week. and two meditation videos to use in blog posts next week.
(i’ve been sequestering myself in my art room and working non-stop this week. it feels so good to be getting all these things done i’ve been wanting to do.)
i’m enjoying experimenting with different kinds of video and seeing what kind is going to work best with my work.
Mark, great job! It is fun to see your face (although we did meet once, years ago in D.C.), and hear that familiar voice. I just did my first (and only) video about a month ago. It is posted on my home page of my website (www.CoachingConcepts.com). It was fun! Good luck to you in this great stretch! — Sharon
Mark, this is great! I got such a giggle out of the effects and your natural, at ease approach. I’m also giving video a consideration but am still deciding which camcorder to buy. I think it is great that you showed up and are sharing your experience in making those first videos.
And happy belated birthday.
.-= Amy Crawley’s lastest post: Liquid Polymer Clay Bookmarks and Art Tags =-.
Hah! Glad you liked it. I heartily recommend the Kodak Zi8, or whatever the latest version is. Really high-quality HD, easy to use like the Flip, and it’s got an audio-in jack, which most of these little digital recorders don’t. Which has given me so much flexibility to create more powerful video by using a mic rather than just ambient sound.
My but you’re brave. And lovely.
I had a plan to do more video ages (the Flip investment, ahem.) My most recent excuse was the AC and fans made too much noise. Now that there’s a cool spell I’ll either need a new excuse or to make the leap and do it.
Daily Video Challenge challenge?
<3 Mahala
.-= Mahala's lastest post: Self Care Confessions =-.
I never thought of it as brave… I just knew that if you all were watching me, I’d have to show up. Yes, please do join me!
Hi Mark,
I hope you had a great birthday yesterday and celebrated in whatever way brought you the most meaning and joy. 🙂
More empowerment to you for choosing to step out of your comfort zone and experiment with video as a new communications medium. If it makes you feel any better, it often requires a few “takes” for me to record a voicemail message that I’m happy with.
As for all those wild imovie effects, well you’re entitled to have fun and play with them. Go for it.
Namaste
Thanks! Although I think I will cut back on the effects.
Wow, Mark. We must be on the same wavelength regarding video. You even used the words “ambient sound”! The article that’s going up tomorrow is all about what I’ve been learning about video, which is…a lot, but not a lot. There is just so much to know.
Anyway, good luck with your project! It’s great to see your face. 🙂
.-= Sarah Bray’s lastest post: The LiteSites get all flaunt-y =-.
Wavelength… woowowowowowowowowo… 🙂 I’m a-lookin’ for your post…
Fantastic video and bravo for showing up! I think it’s totally inspiring to watch you mess up and be okay with it. It means the rest of us have permission to screw up too. I’m currently forcing myself to do one video a week, but I’m not allowed to do any editing, so I have to keep doing it over and over again until I get it right (or at least pretty close). I figure the practice is good for me but it could just be some kind of weird masochism. Maybe I’ll try posting a “just-okay” version.
.-= Nicola’s lastest post: Whos Inspiring Me Today – Leonard Cohen =-.
I’m glad it’s helpful! I think what you’re doing is equally valuable- just with a different intention. My intention is to get comfortable actually getting the video done, and I’m fine with editing. You’re focusing on getting good at on-camera delivery. That may be my next challenge.
Hooray for showing up! And the humor. And the presence. Love it all.
I’m a-tryin’ brother, I’m a-tryin’. It’s BEEEEYOUTEEEFUL! 😉 (Sorry folks, inside joke for my mastermind buddy here.)
Woohoo!
Always nice to see you, my friend. I look forward to the rest of the series.
.-= Molly Gordon, Self-Employment Coach’s lastest post: Actually- you dont reap what you sow- The truth about thriving self employment =-.
Woo-hoo! Thanks for the encouragement.
Well done you for showing up Mark, blow the consequences of what it might look like! And a great job you did too! I love all the effects and the retakes without editing. It was very amusing. It did seem like you were experiencing discomfort doing it and kudos for being courageous Mark! Remember – just have fun with it!
I look forward to seeing your series over the next week!
Louise x
Oh boy, did I ever look grumpy in the beginning. Then that weird swallowing thing that happened… On to number two!
Yay Mark! I applaud your showing up 🙂 Personally, I thought the effects were fun. Looking forward to following along.
.-= LisaG’s lastest post: Welcome to the World =-.
Thanks! It’s a journey, isn’t it?
I love it!
A principle I learned years ago when I was an actor is it something goes wrong, don’t pretend it didn’t happen; incorporate it. Otherwise the moment turns into a scene about a mistake, when it can be a jolt of reality that unites the watcher and the presenter.
In my iTunes podcast (DIY Book: Write, make, and sell your own novels”), I reached a point where I knew I had to do video, because you just can’t describe how to do bookbinding, you have to show it. But, oy, the agony of doing a complex manual task, describing it, and keeping it all in frame! So I feel your pain, and I love that you’ve incorporated it with a sense of humour.
Your blog posts consistently hit the mark and add some piece I really need, both from the business aspect that can feel unfamiliar and intimidating, and from a spiritual perspective, which is so easy to lose hold of.
Thanks, thanks, and ever thanks.
Oh, and I wrote another article yesterday using your “Heart-Based” process. It’s very helpful from a structural standpoint
That’s so helpful, to hear that you’re on a similar journey. It’s wild, isn’t it? And thank you for the kind words. And I’ll ignore your typos if you overlook my strange video hair, and other bloopers. 🙂
Argh! Sorry for the typos. The web needs a universal “Edit” button, and I need to read what I’ve written into boxes before hitting “Submit”.
Mark, I love you – and you crack me up! Hopefully you’re past the point where you’re needing lots of empathy around this because all I wanna say is that I just thought it was hilarious. And I love your sense of humour. 🙂
.-= Yollana’s lastest post: A Little Update =-.
🙂
Mark, I have been watching the videos out of sequence as I first paid attention to them when @fabeku RT the one on cleaning the heart (it is a gorgeous, gorgeous video). Today after getting your blog e-mail, I decided to view a few more.
They are SO INSPIRING. Thank you so much.
If I learn just to show up as myself as a result of your sharing, I have been given an incredible gift!
Thank you for your amazing sharing. Katie
Ahh… it’s fine to watch them out of order, they aren’t really a series. And it’s been an amazing process for me. I invite you into your own- jump out there even more than you already are. Woo-hoo!
Mark, I love it and I’m inspired. Thank you for your perfect imperfection.
Bravo! I know how uncomfortable you are with the form
So to speak… Yes.. .five planets. Crazy, isn’t. Some would call it a curse. Others would just nod, smile, and continue conquering the world. 🙂
Oh my God I love it – I’m giggling away, I wish you could hear – I love you real you are – you do look suitably uncomfortable! Bless you 🙂
It is SUCH great modelling for us about going to our edges and getting messy and throwing away any kind of perfection paralysis.
“What can I say? I’m showing up!”
YES YES YES! This is the line of the moment for me 🙂
With love, as ever,
Corrina
Woo-hoo! It’s been such a journey. Thank you for your support, dear one.
I am really enjoying your video challenge (particularly enjoyed the first one, and the video in the rain), and there must have been something in the air that week, because I had just started my own video challenge on August 23!
I am a video producer, which means I spend my time working on other folks’ projects. This is fun and rewarding, but I recognized that my personal work has been greatly neglected. The purpose for me was to loosen up and shake hands with my creativity again, without worrying about looking professional, and in a way that did not allow for talking myself out of it. I have lots of dumb ideas, so there are many things to talk myself out of.
I am doing 30 videos in 30 days, though I do not have to complete one per day. Think I’m on #10 at this point. I just lost hours of editing last night, so I am taking a breather now.
Here is my YouTube channel (the first video for the challenge is the ken doll movie). More will be uploaded soon. My challenge ends on Sept. 21.
http://www.youtube.com/user/cynthlopez?feature=mhum#p/u
Anyway, solidarity in the video-making, yeah!
Cynthia
A video producer and you like the video challenge- that’s fantastic. And I watched a few of your videos- including the one of you making art. Very cool. Giving me some ideas around framing, switching scenes, and the use of music. Thank you!
Hi Mark,
I used to find public speaking very intimidating, and occasionally get nervous before I speak. What I found comforting is the fact that I don’t have to dread screwing up, especially while I’m learning to improve my skills, and in the early stages (when the curve is steepest).
Last time I gave an evaluation in my Toastmasters meeting, I was very comfortable in saying: “There was another point I wanted to mention… Let’s see… OK, I forgot what it was, but I’ll let you know what it is later on.”
Looking for the right word on video is fairly common, especially by bloggers who have a message to share, rather than a sales pitch to give.
Technical question: What are all the accessories you used to shoot the video?
I’ve gotten really pretty darn decent at public speaking- what has taken some practice is bringing that same sense of preparation and connection to the camera, instead of playing with a live audience, which is so different.
Accessories:
– Kodak Zi8 camera- I use it because it has an audio jack
– A belt-clipped lavelier microphone. It’s cabled, not wireless. Had to get a patch cable XLR-mini-plug to go straight into the camera
– A lighting kit I bought at a camera stuff- something low-end- less than $200 for three lights- including light stands, and reflecting umbrellas
– my ugly mug 🙂
🙂
Hey Mark
You asked to see what others are up to in video land, so here’s a link to some very imperfect vids Georgia and I have been playing with: http://www.breakoutofyourmind.com/Products/Videos
We’re finding it a steep learning curve but the good thing about that is that we are learning – fast.
From my experience so far, it’s just a matter of getting out there and doing it over and over – while asking “What worked?” and “What could I do different next time?”.
Some willingness to get it wrong and not look so great in a very public way also seems to be part of the picture of video success. Maybe all success… 😉
? Leo
Mark,
Transformed the ‘bad’ video challenge to an all new level: ‘awful’!
(Did I mention I live with a bunch of filmmakers? Talk about intimidation.)
I’ve learned:
1.) A quality image-capture device is essential.
2.) Technology glitches such as file format and compression can make or break an upload.
3.) Speaking as if I’m narrating or presenting, even without a script, is NOT my authentic voice (tone, inflection, accent).
4.) THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
DAY ONE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ghw6qs_GBk
Angelina- I loved your first video. I loved that you shared your favorite spot with me, and I loved the narrator voice. I get it- that it’s not the best most authentic you in one sense, and that you want to keep getting better- but for a first video- really cool.
Rock on!
I love that you’ve inspired your community to share their videos – it’s bringing our tribe into more personal connections with each other – from words, to pictures, to video. Fantastic. Good to see you Angelina – and all you others!
Corrina
Corrina- me, too. Really fun to see folks.