So You Want to Be a Vidder: Five Not So Easy Steps

[sisabet]

First of all - I used to get at least one email every week that was simply:

I have a great idea for a vid about Spike, and it is ____. If you won't make it, can you get the clips to me so I can and will you also tell me how you assemble the scenes over the music?

Lately, I have to admit - that has slacked off considerably. Of course - all site directed email goes to Dawn and she made some noise recently about how much she shelters me from a lot of the correspondence (she does forward any and all feedback - at least I think she does). My blood pressure has dropped as a result.

And I hope and pray that that kind of request is just from someone who is new to fandom in general, or possibly is only used to a very isolated segment of fandom. Much as Kirk explored strange new worlds and sought out new life and civilizations - there are a ton of fannish enclaves I have never heard of. Some I have. In the case of Haven and the Mulder and Scully Beanie Baby Porn dolls? Some I wish to never speak of again.

Perhaps where she hails from fannishly, it is fine and dandy to demand that someone basically give you clips and software and do all of the grunt work so that your "vision" of the perfect video can be achieved. Anything is possible. She could also be completely new to fandom as a social sphere so she does not realize that the same rules of conduct apply.

Or she could just be an ass. Yeah, maybe she didn't have any idea how much work would be involved to fulfill her request - but where I come from asking someone to do something and not having any idea what that something actually is - well that is the sign of an ass. JMO, YMMV.

Since I am positive she does not think that she is an ass - well now a simple email has created a conflict in both party's perception of the other. So let's discuss how this could have been prevented, shall we?


So You Want to Be a Vidder?

You have the perfect Idea with a capital "I" for a vid. It must be made. Great. I am thrilled to hear it - this is what you need to do:

Step 1: Initiative

You want to make a vid? Be prepared to learn. Be prepared to research. Be prepared for a lot of frustration. You don't want any of this - you just want a vid? Well, then buy a vidder at auction. Seriously, either accept that you will have to actually do some work or sweet-talk/cajole/threaten a vidder into making if for you or get over it.

There is no Entitlement in Being A Vidder. Say this with me now and say it slowly: No Entitlement in being a vidder. It is okay. I'm here for you. I know this is hard. I struggle with it everyday.

We are not owed a fandom. We are not owed source. We are not owed free software. We are not owed webspace. We are not owed feedback and accolades. We are not owed inspiration.

We operate on the fringes (more on that later) and we have to stay that way. We have to be creative in means of getting the source we need. We have to be creative in how we share the product of our work. We have to be creative in how we learn our craft. There is no entitlement in being a vidder - but there is a ton of creativity.

But no one owes you this. We all learned - some had a better roads than others, but dude - that is just life.

So - show initiative - be ready to work and learn and figure things out by yourself.

Step 2: Research

First of all - vidding is not new. You did not just now invent it. Vidding has been around for at least thirty years and there have been many different methods of distribution. There are still many other ways to get videos other than the internet. Some of the best vids you have never seen have never been online. Learn Your History.

Yeah -and also? Learn how to vid. Learn how to aquire source. Figure it out - but how?

Well, use your resources. The yahoo vidder group. The LJ communities focused on vidding - look and see who is a member of these communities -- find vidder live journals and blogs. Email vidders whose work you admire and ask them what software they use.

DO NOT GO ONLIST AND SAY "Hi all. I want to vid. How do I get started?" If you want to do this - go back and reread "Step 1 Initiative" because you missed something there.

DO READ the archives. They are your friend. They also seem like Greek to you - what are these people talking about?

It can be difficult - I know.

The archives will have links to tutorials that vidders have created. This is great stuff. The archives will also have discussions about software and problems and comparisons. The archives are a resource.

LJ is also - albeit a bit more difficult to navigate - a resource. There are these crazy insane people on LJ who sometimes act as either an information portal or just an organizer of data. Their memories are a thing of beauty. Off the top of my head I can list permetaform's memory category as one of the best all inclusive collections of technical and discussion and Deep thoughts on vidding places to go.

The AMV (http://www.animemusicvideos.org) - while, yeah, an anime vid place, has excellent technical guides. These guys know their stuff and explain it well. Seriously, they take you by the hand and say: "This is your computer. Here is what we are going to do." It quite rocks. Also - watch some vids. This leads me directly into Step 3.


Step 3: Watch Some Vids and find a Mentor


You need to watch vids. Vidding is its own fandom now. I am not making this up. Vidding is its own fandom. You want to vid? Great. You only want to vid in your fandom? Fine and dandy. You only want to watch vids from your fandom? Huh.

Well, I'd have to follow that up with a question: Do you want to be good? Because see - vidding is its own fandom and vidding is also art. You can make art. The representation of video footage set over music in such a way as to communicate or elicit a response from an audience - that is Art. It is also a craft and you have to learn it and if you never watch a video that does not feature Clark and Lex or John and Aeryn or Buffy and Spike -- then you won't learn your craft.

Seriously - if I only watched Buffy vids from the time I started vidding, then I would be convinced that all vids had to feature Buffy jumping off the tower.

If I only watched Methos-featured vids - I would think the same thing - just with the painted nose.

You have to watch good vids (not hard to find) across fandoms you don't know to understand things like structure and pacing and to just see what it freaking possible in this medium. Find a vidder you like and find her rec list. Or ask her for some recs - ask her for her most influential vids that she has seen. This is not entitlement - this is discussion about a shared passion. Big difference.

So you've seen some vids and buy now you probably have a vid that you have seen that blows you away. This is wonderful. You are amazed a human being made this vid. Well - tell the vidder this and study her work. How does she do it? What are her thought processes when she gets ready to do this. Find her LJ and read it. If she doesn't have an LJ send her an email. If she doesn't have email - send her a letter.

If you have no idea who she is - ask around. People will know her. You can even ask this onlist. Someone will email you with who she is and how to get in touch with her.

Study what she does. Study it a lot. Write to her and ask her why she made some of the choices she did. Ask her what her ultimate goal was with this vid. Be respectful and thoughtful and again - this will be discussion - not entitlement. Most vidders love to talk about their own work. Trust me. Ask about complicated POV vids (For example there are dual POV vids like "Kryptonite" or ones where the POV shifts or moves or is actually that of an object "Jig of Life", or where the POV is completely internal to a specific character and explore the Unreliable Narrator concept "Mr. Brightside") - there is a ton of stuff to discuss and you need to talk about it. It will also mean you are talking to an experienced vidder about vidding. This is something wonderful.

DO NOT send the first email to this woman and say "Hi, I loved your vid _____ and I am making my own __/__ vid and was wondering if you will help me with it?" I mean - you could and I know many vidders that actually would help you if you approached it this way - but dude. We are busy. I don't have time to beta the vids from people I know, much less strangers.

But if I am in an actual dialogue with someone who is interested in vidding and wants to discuss process and what-not with me... well that is impressive. Someone who actually cares about learning the craft. Well all of a sudden this person has moved from being a stranger to being this cool person that I just met and she has some interesting ideas and damn we need more vidders like this that actually care about the process and I can't wait until I see what she comes up with.

See the difference?





Step 4: Stay Out of Trouble

Pay attention to the fandom rules - they are the same rules you grew up with and they still apply and will always apply. If it applies in fanfic - it applies in vidding.

Also - educate yourself about copyright violation and remember - it is not just footage from a movie or tv show you are appropriating. It is also a song. Learn about the music industry and make informed choices about how you distribute your videos.



Step 5: Welcome Critique

You are not perfect. You have things you need to learn and constructive criticism is the best way for you to learn.

Actually - just go and read taraljc's essay If you can't say anything nice... come sit over here by me. It is about fanfiction, but you will come to realize that many many things people say about fanfiction, will just as aptly apply to vidding.


Now I am tired. I am finished. Add what you want to this in comments and I am outta here. Or - if you have any questions - ask em.

Comments

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Seriously - if I only watched Buffy vids from the time I started vidding, then I would be convinced that all vids had to feature Buffy jumping off the tower.

If I only watched Methos-featured vids - I would think the same thing - just with the painted nose.

::imagines a vid featuring Buffy jumping off the tower... with a painted nose.::

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Carrying METHOS! Or Methos jumping off the tower with a painted nose. To "My Heart Will Go On"

::head explodes::

[absolutedestiny.livejournal.com]

I still find it weird and wonderful to read things and find the vidder to be referred to as "she". Of course it's accurate but I'm not used to this. Not that I approve of a male hegemony or anything, just that it's not part of my experience as a former amv creator.

Time to get in touch with my feminine side, I suppose :)

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

And it ends with them in a cave-in.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Honey, you're coming to VividCon. You're gonna get in touch with a lot of feminine sides.

[astolat]

This is awesome.

You have to watch good vids (not hard to find) across fandoms you don't know to understand things like structure and pacing and to just see what it freaking possible in this medium.

And this is SO SO SO SO true. Aside from the reuse of source, I think in a lot of ways you learn more from watching the vids that aren't in your fandom(s), because when it's your fandom, you are inevitably affected by the squee and the love and while that is fun, it is also distracting from picking up the craft, and makes you more forgiving where you should be watching with a critical eye.

[astolat]

*pokes* Don't scare him!

[absolutedestiny.livejournal.com]

>>insert childish gag and beavis and butthead laughter<<

It's going to be an experience, that's for sure.

[cheesygirl.livejournal.com]

I used to be amazed at how demanding and lazy people could be when I first got into online fandom. I've seen so much of it I'm not surprised, but I still have to shake my head in disgust at how much people want done for them.

I've thought about making videos but I realize how much hard work it is and I don't really have the driving ambition to tackle it.
I started making icons several months ago and although it isn't as involved as vidding, I think some of the same learning steps apply. I looked at other icons and made note of what I liked and didn't like. From tutorial sites, asking advice, and trial and error I found out how different effects were done and practiced them until I liked how things came out. Even though I haven't made my own screencaps I hunted them down and downloaded them myself.

I'm happy to fulfill icon requests when people make them and it's rarely a tall order, but for someone to want you to do all the dirty work of making vid clips and pointing out how to edit them! Yeesh!

It's official.

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

I love you. Marry me. You will have to have the kids, but I will take out the trash and read the software manuals.

[piper47.livejournal.com]

::applauds::

I have more thoughts, but I shoulda left for class like ten mintues ago... ;) I'll return

[linzeestyle.livejournal.com]

When I get out of class and am at home on my own computer and no longer embittered by the concept of environmental psychology as a practice, I will re-read this and have actual thoughts and comments. But you? I love you. And I think this needs to be written - tatooed even - on the head of every newbie and wild vidder who has ever acted as though They Invented Vidding. Also, it should be branded on the asses of the X Files fandom at large, but that's a personal issue that I have to deal with. *G*

In the case of Haven and the Mulder and Scully Beanie Baby Porn dolls? Some I wish to never speak of again.

Am I the only person that will never again be able to see beanie babies without also hearing cheesy 80s porn music in my head?

Linzee

[nerdanel.livejournal.com]

I have submitted by IM the following request to f1renze:

omg hi my name is bethany and i am totally like one of ur biggest fans n-e-wayz i have this really kewl idea for an angel vid but i do not kno how u do dis thing called vidding so could you please like make the vid for me and also tell me how you put the scenes over the song and also please give me vidding software and teach me how to use it thank you love n kisses bethany


I am sure that it will work, and that it will result in her making my perfect Angel vid for me. [-o<

>:) Even not being a vidder, I can imagine how frustrating that idiocy must be. I think that there's some tendency, when you want to do something that seems new, demanding, and intimidating, to turn to someone "older and wiser" in the field and ask for help. There's some sense in which you wish they could take over, be the mentor, show you the way...and that your understanding can just magically develop as they do so. Of course, for any of us who have ever leaped into something new and uncharted, whether RL or fandom, we know that this doesn't work, and that ultimately, the initiative has to come entirely from "us" as neophytes. It's sad that many would-be vidders don't realize the same, but then, it's likely that they will never make that first vid.

*speaking as someone who has been wanting to vid for months, but hasn't sat down to try it. Still, I NEVER emailed or IMed anyone asking them to do everything for me, or to spell it out while I watched, although I've talked at length with vidder friends about the process*

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

It's not too scary. We've had at least one guy every year. : )

[f1renze.livejournal.com]

I love this post so much that I read it over and over and lost track of time.

Love this part especially:

You want to vid? Great. You only want to vid in your fandom? Fine and dandy. You only want to watch vids from your fandom? Huh.

Well, I'd have to follow that up with a question: Do you want to be good?

It may seem harsh, but it's just so true. One of my favorite intellectual life lessons is that comparison invites abstraction. I can't tell you how much I've learned from watching vids in other fandoms. Not just the many aspects of delivery, but also how to think about vids. It's just one of the ways we learn - we align things we experience with prior knowledge and then we do it again and viola - we see something new. And importantly, this new lesson is free from the context (i.e., fandom) in which it was acquired. It's like we get smart and stuff.

[klia.livejournal.com]

This should be required reading for *every* vidder, because it has something that applies to every single one of us.

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

While I agree that it is somewhat obnoxious, I still feel a little left out. How come annoying newbies don't ask me how to do stuff? I know stuff. I'm smart. I can even explain how to do technically challenging things step-by-step.

I feel unloved.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

I can ask Dawn to forward some to you.

You are smart and know stuff - we like to keep you all protected-like just for us, though.

::is selfish::

Now - the next time someone comes on vidder and pipes up that they are new and "How do you learn to vid?" then I expect a dead serious and lengthy reply from you.

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

It's very simple.

You just move in with Carol, look sad when she makes cool stuff that you don't know how to do, allow her to force you to throw down huge sums of money on nifty tech toys, cry and point at them when you can't them to work right, have some cocoa, cry more, check your wiring, cry more, have Carol check your wiring, realize you didn't actually plug in the capture device, vid.

I haven't been checking vidder for a while. It sounds like I'm missing lots of fun.

[piper47.livejournal.com]

Am I the only person that will never again be able to see beanie babies without also hearing cheesy 80s porn music in my head?

No... and I hate you for that. :-P

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Actually vidder has been fine. Of course I think it is fine - I haven't checked it today.

I think Moving In with Carol could bypass almost all of the steps up there.

And I didn't mention it - but there are a ton of people who learn to vid by going to a vidder's home and sitting down with them and learning first hand - especially pre-Internet vid sharing.

So If You Know a Vidder and A Vidder Has Invited You to Visit Them - this is also a very good way to learn the ways of the Vedi.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

well astolat makes such a good point above your good point where she mentions that having no attachments to the things happening in the vid can actually help free your critical eye.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

::sings the "We Love Pete" song::

We love Pete, oh yes we do
We love Pete, and so do you

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

You are absolutely right. I know if it is a pairing/fandom I love - I start the vid much more ready to love and enjoy.

Sometimes I watch a single vid for hours because the vid is amazing and everytime I watch it I see something new. Sometimes I watch a vid on repeat for hours because "Look! Pretty people moving to the music! And omg he loves him sooooo much!"

These are two very different things -- and I am happiest when these two things collide.

Amazing vids about a fandom I adore? Bring It On.

Actually - just bring me the amazing vids. I'll learn to adore a fandom.

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

I wonder why they never come back.