Customer Reviews

Naked Lens: Video Blogging & Video Journaling to Reclaim the YOU in YouTube

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Inspirational book. I love using the cam on my iphone to record my life - my niece, subway rides, etc.... The book has given me new ideas. Now I think I want to get a flip cam and keep exploring.

we all know the horror of hearing our own recorded voice.

it's always the same--"do i really sound like THAT?"

for those brave souls willing to explore themselves via video journal, the resultant exclamation is the the same--"do i really act like THAT?"

video journaling really amps up the process of honest self-exploration--there is no escape, no denying. lying to the camera is lying to yourself. and unless you are one seriously messed up individual, your truth is hard to deny.

kaminsky's eight week workshop will help you find the courage to explore, transform & heal. much like the artist way or any other tool for self-exploration, if done authentically, a greater life awaits you.

The information revolution has gotten a face and a voice at the same time. "Naked Lens: Video Blogging & Video Journaling To Reclaim the You in YouTube" is a guide to those who want to embrace their inner movie star and start video blogging. With plenty of technological advice and shooting advice to conquer one's doubts and start putting one's face, thoughts, and ideas out there into one appealing little package, "Naked Lens" is a fine addition to any technology collection.

If you're willing to actually follow along and do the exercises he lays out, it will have a positive impact on you in many ways. It's fun too!

Naked Lens is a book that is sure to inspire you to not only produce videos, but also find your authentic voice along the way. The book is a delightful, easy read with short chapters, plenty of bullet points, and inspirational quotes on virtually every page. Author Michael Kaminsky is himself an award-winning documentary filmmaker who has produced work for HBO, Sundance Channel and MTV's LOGO among others.

Kaminsky points out the major shift going on in communications, and since only about 1% of Youtube viewers also post, there is plenty of room to be on the ground floor of this revolution. He cites people that are even in their 80s who created popular video blogs, making authentic communication with younger generations.

In part I Kaminsky gives us sheer inspiration to video blog, citing studies about the benefits of journaling. An entire chapter is devoted to the history of traditional journaling and we learn that 400 years ago Samuel Pepys was the father of journaling, documenting the Great Plague and The Great Fire of London. (Also included, of course, are Anne Frank and Carl Jung.) The chapter ends with the history of video blogging, which began in 2000. We learn how the 2008 presidential campaign was influenced by videos. (I will always recall those Ron Paul videos that contained so much substance compared to others, which often relied on sexual images or rhetoric...)

The author warns us that videos will soon no longer be an option and may be mandatory for job interviews or university applications. "The ability to address a camera with heart and authenticity is an extremely valuable skill to possess. Eventually, those who communicate well on-camera will have a definite advantage over those who do not. It may happen sooner than you think."

Part II tells us how to get started, discussing tools. A simple cell phone is enough for beginners. Since technology is always changing, the author directs us to his site [...] for updates.

Part III guides us through an 8-week workshop as the author insists we make at least one short video every day. He gives us warm up exercises, addresses stage fright, insists that the lens will not judge us, and shows us how to review our videos. We are taught to be mindfully present, deal with the inner critic, imagine and create our audience, and much more. Each chapter has at least one "shoot" section with details on what to do for our video, and a "replay" section that helps us introspect and reflect on our work.

We learn to "live cinematically," viewing ordinary moments in life as an opportunity to video. We gain awareness of our camera presence, including gestures, voice and angles. We learn how to blog our personal and family history. We get inspiration for creating video art and poetry. One section warns us that videos can attract "haters," but this only happens when you hit the big time and get noticed. (Don't worry, most people don't take these critics seriously.) There is even a section on how to make a video that could go viral so we can get our "15 minutes of fame."

Part IV deals with editing, video blogging for cash (when you hit the big time, advertisers will pay you to put an ad before your video!), the future of video blogging, video therapy and support groups, and how to store your videos so they'll last longer.

This book is a must-read for anyone serious about making videos--it has something for those who have already started as well as the novice!

Sean's book takes you step by step from getting started to how to actually post to YouTube!! It's apparent he knows what he's doing, and Sean, I appreciate you laying it out for all of us!