Thanks for joining me for this month’s look at streaming video in the legal community.
Each issue we examine cutting edge examples of “webcasting” — video over
the World Wide Web. This month we expand our topic into the political realm to take notice of
a
new ‘first’.
In the last few years, the streaming video niche has surged with ‘firsts’ as
webcasting makes all things new again. Did you see the first webcast of a live birth? How about
the first webcast of open heart surgery? Oh, but you did see the Victoria’s Secret lingerie
show on the web, right? Or perhaps the 1998 webcast of Keiko, the “Free Willy”
whale, being released into the wild?
The problems of a technology which is slowly finding its market are gradually resolving, but
webcasting is still beset by many of the inadequacies that plagued the early days of television.
TV
viewers initially suffered with very tiny screens and limited programming -- in most parts of the
world, TV was not available during the day, but broadcast only at night.
WHAT’S ON TONIGHT?
Webcasting can provide a virtual soapbox to anyone with a message -- globally, 24/7/365. The
President does it, the Pope does it, and now, in a new ‘first,’ Congress does it, too:
“Rep. Pete Stark’s Response to President Bush’s State of the Union
Address”
![[play
button]](aw_images/playbttn.gif)
http://www.house.gov/stark
To publicize a timely democratic response to President Bush’s State of the Union address,
streaming video has been turned to a new purpose. The San Francisco Chronicle report
(2/5/05) was headlined “Stark is first to put video on congressional Web site.” The
Chronicle described the webcast as a “3 1/2-minute blistering response to President
Bush’s State of the Union speech.”
Lindsey Capps, Press Secretary to Rep. Stark, says the Congressman “saw a web video
response to the State of the Union as an innovative, dynamic way to communicate with
[constituents].”
GOALS
-
Quick response. President Bush made his State of the Union speech on Wednesday
evening, by Friday morning Pete Stark’s video response was posted on his website.
Typically, it takes only a day or two for video footage to be processed and posted to the web for
“on-demand” access, depending on duration of the clip and the level of editing
desired.
-
Low cost. The digital video revolution has matured, smoothing the path for anyone with
a message. The infrastructure has developed to offer consultants such as myself who will take
you from plan to post, and a choice of webcast services offering space on streaming video servers
to host your webcast. And for the ‘do-it-yourself’ crowd, there are lots of options
for DV cameras in the range I would recommend ($3,000 to $5,000) and video editing software
(Final Cut Pro for Mac users, Adobe Premiere for PC users).
-
Effective communication. A recent study suggests that if someone looks off into the
distance while answering a question, it may signal ‘ideation’ and fabrication. I like
to ask people if they can tell when someone is speaking the truth just by watching and listening to
them. Many people do believe they can assess trustworthiness by meeting someone. Whatever it
is we learn by watching someone speak, it certainly answers a human craving. People want to
see, not just hear or read, and are more motivated by a message they can watch being delivered.
E-MAIL MECHANISM
According to the Chronicle, “About 2,500 constituents who have sent Stark their e-mail
addresses were alerted to the new video Friday morning.” The e-mail alert was extremely
valuable, providing a quick, easy, and free feedback mechanism. Mr. Capps adds, “This
provided constituents with a way to respond directly and instantaneously to his remarks.”
Unfortunately, as with most new marketing techniques, results are hard to quantify.
Stark’s office says only that “The Congressman has received positive
feedback.”
The President does it, the Pope does it, and now Congress does it ... So, why don’t you?
Too many webcasts, not enough time.
If you see streaming audio or video you
think would be of interest to our readers, please
URL and description.
Has your firm produced a webcast? We want the details!
If you'd like a clickable list of the web addresses from this and past columns,
![[American Webcast logo]](aw_images/banner.gif)