Thoughts: Education & Promotion

[Mark]

    At the South-West Regional Branch meeting on Saturday one area of discussion was determining new ways to educate and promote socialism.  I’ve had some thoughts which I mentioned at the meeting and it was suggested that I post them here for feedback and any additional ideas.

    I cam across a site which allows one to ‘broadcast’ live video with real-time feedback/questions via live chat (text).  Some thoughts were broadcasting meetings and Summer Schools to name two.

    The same service also provides for a video(s) looping 24 hours/day.  The length of video is dependent on the storage allowances which vary by account.  They offer a free service (ad supported).

    Here’s the link:

http://www.livestream.com/

    I’ve had a number of thoughts around getting information out in a manner that the average person might be able to absorb.

    Perhaps a weekly 3-5 minute video or audio production covering the week’s events from the SPGB’s point of view.  Once a program format is established, we should be able to complete the production and post-production (depending on the process) anywhere between 90 minutes and 4 to maybe 5 hours.  That does not include writing the script.

    An example of a quick popular internet show is ‘Uncle Jay Explains the News.’   There is a very brief ‘About Uncle Jay‘ on the website.

    His weekly show runtime is usually 2+30 to 4+00 minutes.  Below is a link for one of his shows that went viral to give you an example of what he does.  BTW my understanding is that the entire production is a one man operation although I see he now has a bit of help.

Show that went Viral:
http://unclejayexplains.com/2011/07/04/uncle-jay-explains-july-4-2011/

List of all Uncle Jay shows:
http://unclejayexplains.com/?feed=podcast

 

[DJP]

Without wanting to throw a damper on your enthusiasm. What the party suffers from is not a lack of ideas but a lack of people who are willing to put them into practice. So perhaps you should seek nomination to the AV dept and put your ideas into reality.

[Anonymous]

DJP wrote:

Without wanting to throw a damper on your enthusiasm. What the party suffers from is not a lack of ideas but a lack of people who are willing to put them into practice. So perhaps you should seek nomination to the AV dept and put your ideas into reality.

 I think you’ll find Mark has already been nominated…………..and has accepted

[DJP]

gnome wrote:

I think you’ll find Mark has already been nominated…………..and has accepted

One step ahead. I like it!

[Mark]

DJP wrote:

gnome wrote:

I think you’ll find Mark has already been nominated…………..and has accepted

One step ahead. I like it!

 Well, I do my best to be a step ahead.    Not sure I’ve officially been accepted to the A/V committee yet or not, but been in the process  of doing so since about September.I’m the one who has done a bit of work on the latest videos.  Nothing huge.  Just adding the ‘lower third’ (Logo, speaker’s name and topic) plus opening and closing titles.More than happy to travel up to HO from the IOW weekly to work on that or similar … and train anyone interested in both the production and post-production workflow.

[Anonymous]

Mark wrote:

Well, I do my best to be a step ahead.    Not sure I’ve officially been accepted to the A/V committee yet or not, but been in the process  of doing so since about September.

The Executive Committee will be making appointments to sub-committees at their next meeting on February 4th.  You will officially be accepted onto the Audio-Visual committee then I have little doubt.  

Mark wrote:

I’m the one who has done a bit of work on the latest videos.  Nothing huge.  Just adding the ‘lower third’ (Logo, speaker’s name and topic) plus opening and closing titles.

Don’t play it down, comrade; your expertise has already made a huge difference!

Mark wrote:

More than happy to travel up to HO from the IOW weekly to work on that or similar … and train anyone interested in both the production and post-production workflow.

Brilliant.  Just what we need.  More members with technical know-how ready and able to train others.   All we want are those willing to learn.                                I feel this is going to be a good year for us………..      

[Mark]

gnome wrote:

The Executive Committee will be making appointments to sub-committees at their next meeting on February 4th.  You will officially be accepted onto the Audio-Visual committee then I have little doubt.  

Thanks for the update!

Mark wrote:

More than happy to travel up to HO from the IOW weekly to work on that or similar … and train anyone interested in both the production and post-production workflow.

gnome wrote:

Brilliant.  Just what we need.  More members with technical know-how ready and able to train others.   All we want are those willing to learn.

For anyone interested in post-production (video/audio editing) they might be interested in downloading the professional, Open Source (and free) copy of LightWorks.  LightWorks has been in professional use for over 2 decades.  It’s quite likely you’ve seen films cut on LightWorks.The LightWorks OpenSource project is still in Beta and available on Windows only systems at this time.  It will be available for Linux and Mac quite soon.  (The Linux release was planned for last month but was delayed.)While I currently cut on Sony’s Vegas Pro, I shall be moving to LightWorks once a reasonable stable Linux version is available.

[DJP]

Excellent. Just a slight modification of your idea. Instead of commentary on news items, which may go out of date, why not short FAQ type answers? We could film a bunch together then gradually release them on the youtube channel. I think there a lot you can do with 5 minutes…

[Mark]

DJP wrote:

Excellent. Just a slight modification of your idea. Instead of commentary on news items, which may go out of date, why not short FAQ type answers? We could film a bunch together then gradually release them on the youtube channel. I think there a lot you can do with 5 minutes…

I like the idea of a FAQ.  Something that will provide some basic, initial education.  The FAQ would be ideal in the 24 hour/day loop, for example.  Along those lines, I wonder how popular a video or audio  format of ‘Letters to the Editor’ would be for a regular online program?Sure, the comments/review of the week’s news will become out of date but I don’t see that as negative.  I believe this may be beneficial for several reasons:o  The format has been, and continues to be, popular and successful both online and in traditional broadcast (both visual and audio).o  Allows the SPGB to quickly respond to very fresh issues and events. o  Alternate news summaries with a socialist rather than a capitalist perspective.o  While I can’t quote any specific academic studies off the top of my head, I’m confident the vast majority of the population receives their news in a video (broadcast TV or online) format.  The SPGB could take advantage of this at minimal (virtually no) expense.o  Socialist principles can be presented in an integrated manner with current events in a format the vast majority is comfortable with and easily assimilates.

[DJP]

Well I’d be up to coming down to London one weekend to help film these. February too soon?

[Anonymous]

DJP wrote:

Well I’d be up to coming down to London one weekend to help film these. February too soon?

Well put me down for coming up to London one weekend if further bods are needed        Not the first two weekends in February though. And I see EARB is showing a film on the last Saturday of that month:-http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/event/human-resources-film-and-discussion-norwich

[DJP]

gnome wrote:

And I see EARB is showing a film on the last Saturday of that month:-http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/event/human-resources-film-and-discussion-norwich

Indeed there is. But unfortunately I will be at a day school at London School of Economics that day.So is weekend of 18th Feb good with people?

[Anonymous]

DJP wrote:

Indeed there is. But unfortunately I will be at a day school at London School of Economics that day.So is weekend of 18th Feb good with people?

Saturday or Sunday?  Probably OK providing it doesn’t clash with any public meeting that might be arranged at HO.  Better ask PD first.

[Anonymous]

DJP wrote:

So is weekend of 18th Feb good with people?

 It appears that that HO is ‘free’ that weekend.  i.e. no meetings or anything else taking place there.

[Mark]

gnome wrote:

DJP wrote:

So is weekend of 18th Feb good with people?

It appears that that HO is ‘free’ that weekend.  i.e. no meetings or anything else taking place there.

My feeling is that the 18 Feb is too early because, to the best of my knowledge, a decision hasn’t  been made as to if this will be an audio or video production.  In order to make something with a sound/look that is closer to what the average person is used to experiencing, one honestly does need to spend a fair amount of time before the actual production.  There is a rather cheeky website that provides a brief overview of what needs to be done before shooting/recording takes place as well as during production and post. Professor Monkey’s Tips It may feel like overkill, however from personal experience not preparing prior to a shoot results in frustration and an end result that disappointing.My experience is in the area of production and post (audio, visual and theatre).  Once I’m aware of what the production and goals will be, I’m able to offer ideas for how to get the project completed.The idea of FAQs was made.  Another thought could is to create ‘audio pamphlets’ from the existing pamphlets.  My question is what can we create to connect with people in a manner that is comfortable for those not informed and educated about socialism? 

[Author]

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