web video

Web video is the newest of my four digital services. What I love most about video is that it combines all of the other elements: a photographer’s eye, a writer’s sense of story and a web designer’s insight into how to finally present it.

Where it all began

Fellini is my filmmaking hero. While I don’t think there’s a great deal of commercial demand for ultra-abstract web videos in the Fellini vein, there’s ample room for originality and authenticity.

What I’m filming now

Right now, I’m editing one corporate testimonial and another product demonstration. I hope to have both up here as demos soon. In the meantime, check out the “Infosphere” thought experiment below. While traditional live action videos serve most needs, the animation route shown below can sometimes be cheaper and more effective. Drop a line to see if web video is the right digital solution for you.

The InfoSphere: An Experience Prototype

concept

The InfoSphere is an experience prototype designed to breathe new life into America's long-distance rails. Focusing on information and community, the concept provides space for people to learn about their surroundings and one another. At present, the InfoSphere exists only as a thought experiment with no plans for commercial application.

discovery

A 36-hour Amtrak odyssey formed the basis for the discovery process. The key question pursued throughout the journey was, "Are there critical passenger experiences Amtrak is missing?" Through observation and conversation, two neglected elements surface: Information and Community.

information

Where are we? Are we on time? Passengers struggle to find even the most basic of information aboard Amtrak. Highway signs relay distances and landmarks to automobile drivers, yet America's rails offer no such cues. Could Amtrak deliver a stronger sense of place with a stream of information that illuminates the train's position as well as the surrounding environment?

community

Amtrak passengers are as interested in each other as they in getting from point A to point B. Eager, inquisitive eyes travel up, down and across Amtrak carriages, hoping to piece together a story about their fellow passengers. Unfortunately, personal cell phones, laptops and MP3 players close the door on the potential for a shared experience. Could Amtrak foster more interaction and stronger community on the rails?

action

The InfoSphere concept is within reach of today's technology. Durable, dynamic touch screens cover cell phones, kiosks and tablet computers. Portable GPS units provide real-time data about gas stations, restaurants and more. A small team of programmers could adapt similar technology to highlight the natural and human history lining America's rails.

Under mandates from Congress, Amtrak has struggled for decades to return a profit. Cuts in routes and services have only slowed losses without giving people a reason to reconsider America's rails. In creating a niche experience based on community, the InfoSphere represents the catalyst that will convert rail skeptics into believers.

InfoSphere Benefits

Passengers

• Content that builds camaraderie and illuminates surroundings.
• Shared interface that invites interaction in a common space.
• Memorable stories to share with friends and family.

Amtrak

• High return on a small investment.
• Unique opportunity to build relationships with passengers.
• Word-of-mouth promotion exalting a revolutionary train experience.

Society

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
• Template for shifting technology from personal to communal use.
• Increased serendipity as people turn strangers into new friends.