[AGA-mcm] Future overblown Video Projects

[Erik Olson <erik@thekrib.com>]

On Thu, 3 Feb 2005, Phil Edwards wrote:

> I'm going to be setting up my planted tanks again in the near future.  How 
> would you like to use video footage of something like that (assuming I can 
> get it) for promotional material.  "Planted Tank 101".

What I'm envisioning is something that we block out and plan in advance 
for being shot on video, and try for pro (or at least prosumer) quality.

So, for instance, you know how Amano has those great shots of setting up 
an aquarium from plan to final display?  One of the bits might be a video 
equivalent of this.

But I would also imagine shots of plant species in a fish store, issues of 
dealing with what's available, maybe considering mail-order, choosing fish 
to go with the plants, types of hardware... basically imagine the material 
that might go into a FAQ or beginner book on plants or someone's basics 
talk, but presented in a manner that takes advantage of the video medium.
Narration, graphics, public-domain music, etc.

Actually, writing about this reminds me of some alternate forms of 
presentation to the traditional narrative, one of which is the "Extreme 
Makeover"/"Queer Eye"/"This Old Tank" style -- Luis invades someone's 
house and aquascape their aquarium.  (OK, not Luis; he's good, but we'd 
need to dub his voice with someone else.)  Another might be the "reality 
TV" approach where the style follows someone setting up a new tank. 
Another variant is the "host/newbie and expert" duo approach where the 
host guy asks all the questions (standing in for the viewer).

In all those cases, the narrative is the person setting up the tank, and 
from the people chatting with them as they do things.  This would be sort 
of like Amano's demo, but much further reaching as it would span the 
entire process, from them choosing the hardware, drawing out plans on 
paper, going to the stores, the actual construction, and then, most 
importantly, AFTER it's all set up, over periods of a week, a month, two 
months, etc.

Different "episodes" or parts could feature different types of tanks. 
"Basic", "Nano", "High Tech", "Large tank", "Biotope" :), etc.

This is why I can't really commit to a project like this yet.  I keep 
coming up with ideas that are elaborate and (at the moment) impossible to 
execute on at the moment.

Even for something more reasonable, like an edited video of Phil setting 
up a new aquarium, to do it right I'd need to fly across the country with 
all the gear, have lots of prodding questions to keep him talking, and 
edit it all down. :) Not going to happen this year.

On the other hand, we could take an opportunistic approach.  For instance, 
we'll be in Dallas this summer for the ACA convention.  Not saying this 
would work *this* year, but if some in DFWAPC were interested in helping 
set something up, we might be able to pull off a shoot.

  - Erik

--
Erik Olson
erik at thekrib dot com
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