Coronavirus Check-In: The Challenges of Making Selfie-Videos
Inspired by the roll-call check-in at https://365project.org/discuss/general/43327/roll-call
I've been self-isolating for 18 days and have seen 5 humans outside on my street. Staying home alone and not going out when in Chicago is not a change. I've been using Zoom to teach online for about five years, and teaching online since 14 years ago, but Zoom as a socializing tool is new. But my biggest challenge -- making videos of myself that become part of professionally edited and published videos. I don't take selfies much, and selfie-videos are an even bigger challenge. I made screenshots and combined those screenshots to show some of the attempts I made. The time stamps show you how ridiculously quickly I abandoned most of the attempts. I'm comfortable teaching and giving talks -- but memorizing and reciting text perfectly yet naturally proved to be a huge challenge. And now I have to make another video clip to make an announcement that I could easily have done "live" but with the cancellation of the press conference, it will be painful to do as a selfie-video. Sigh.
Your image and narrative tells us a wonderful story of someone who is dedicated to keeping the show on the road and making things work, and work well, despite personal challenges along the way. Keep it up Junko!
I agree perfectly with @jamibann and @ludwigsdiana. I enjoy both your image or images and your narrative. It just leaves me wondering what subject you do teach. I had a fairly unique experience along the line of what you describe today. I had the opportunity to watch my twin brother, a lawyer, give a webinar today about living trusts and estate planning. Normally, he would give the same talk to a live group somewhere and this was his first webinar, I believe. He did quite well, but he has some mannerism and quirks of speech (which I share) which I feel detracts a bit from the the overall impression he gives. At the end of his presentation, he just adlibbed a little about how hard it was getting used to presenting to a computer screen rather than a group of people. During that time, his whole manner and presentation changed and he seemed much more comfortable and impressive and some of those small speeking patterns disappeared. I'm sure they bothered me more than anyone else because I share them and am more attuned to them. For me, it was something like listened to are watching a recording of yourself played back. But of course, it was my twin brother. Suffice to say we sound enough alike that neither his family, nor mine can tell us apart on the telephone. Keep on sharing those inventive images and delightful narratives. We all enjoy them.
It was so interesting to check out all the images of you wrestling with your professional challenge - I did enjoy the once only attempt at facing the other way. )
Brilliant post, Junko, images and text. Love it. I used to believe I would struggle with videos but then I remember I always thought I would struggle with selfies and... look at my project, it’s almost half self-portraits lol! I should give a try perhaps! Take care!
So interesting Junko! I wish you were here and we could experiment together. By the way, I’ve never tried the stroboscopic trick after you left. Hope this Covid thing ends. Fav
The only thing I could add to all the great comments already made is that we are so self critical of ourselves. We see and hear things no one else does. I see a lot of shots in your collage that are wonderful. Video work is like any other work, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.
Goodness me Junko, what a talented woman you are. I'm yet to tackle Zoom, but it's high on my to-do list now. My physio has our rehab exercise pilates classes starting Monday using Zoom.
I very much like this innovative approach to doing a selfie. I have done them, but most have been caricatures so I feel that I can still hide just a bit. Zoom and facetime are a bit beyond my comfort zone and level.
Ahhh, Junko, the photo image in the overall is so innovative! I had no idea you'd been teaching online for so long! After the first time I saw myself in a video...speaking...I never wanted to open my mouth again! @mbrutus What an interesting sensation it would be to hear your twin, though it's perhaps similar to how I feel when I hear all the cringe-worthy speech patterns played back from my own mouth! (Not that speaking with you didn't sound quite perfect!) What funny beings I suppose we all are! All that said, Junko, you're quite a charming and poised human being to be admired immensely! Carry on!
Awesome! Very interestingly done. This isolation is terrible, but thanks to it I looked at the internet differently. This is our window to the world now. And how much I've already learned new!
What I love about this is that with all the exrpessions on your face it feels more personal than just a single shot. Also it kind of reminds me of the some of the stuff that Duane Michals and Ray Metzker do. Espcially Duane: https://www.ecosia.org/images?p=0&q=duane+michals
April 4th, 2020
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Well done you (if that sounds trite apologies!) for being a key worker do others can stay home, but continue to work/study.