Picture! Picture!

Similar to food photos of dining establishments, images are used to entice viewers to watch your YouTube  videos.   These images or photos which correspond to videos are known as thumbnails.  You click the thumbnail to watch a video.

When I started uploading YouTube videos, I did not have the option to customize my video thumbnail.  To have a clear picture, I followed this video making procedure then.

1. I record my videos via N70 mobile phone camera and use the phone's video editor to sanitize and combine the recorded video clips.  
2. From the phone, I take out the memory card which stored the resulting edited video.  Then, I insert the memory card into a card reader. 
3. After the card reader is plugged into a laptop's USB port, I copy the video file(s) from the memory card to laptop.  
4. Next, the edited video file is uploaded from laptop to YouTube which automatically generates three images. 
5. I then have to select one from the YouTube-provided images.  The selected image becomes the video's designated thumbnail.  (One can still change the designated thumbnail after the selection since the uploader can rotate the video's designated thumbnail from the three generated images.  YouTube can also provide a Customize thumbnails feature.)

During that time, I recorded my videos under the name "Jazz Lanuza" and referred to my first YouTube channel as JakeSLanza.  I was not really hiding from the people who knew me.  Though with good intentions, these people would have been supportive and biased about my work. Thus, I was just avoiding patronizing remarks and feedback that could deter development of my creative endeavor.  Video making was a new activity for me and I wanted to do it independently (bravely and squarely).

Although I was aware of the importance of thumbnails before I made the video "No Branding, No Barriers (Divisions)" , I did not focus enough on how to obtain a good quality thumbnail since YouTube automatically generates these images.  After YouTube has processed the said video, I clearly witnessed that the generated thumbnail images were the actual photos used in the video.  For your info, the above video is just a series of photos depicting human labels.  If you imagine that every video shot is a photo, then you can already foresee or anticipate the video thumbnail and thumbnail quality 

The above video was personal to me because I hated the subsequent effects after labeling people.  Most of us ,in our lifetimes, have been branded in one way or another due to physical features, economic status, gender orientations, religion, etc.  There are positive, negative and neutral labels. Except for the negative labels, the act of labeling a person ,on its own, is not bad.  The biases and insinuation attached to the label makes the act malicious and disrespectful.   Since it is near to impossible to get people who would agree to be recorded and labeled as rich, poor, etc., I used objects to illustrate the labels. 

It was night time when I saw this trash on the street and took the shot. Then, I used my phone editor to add the description in the photo.   

This edited photo became the thumbnail of the video.

The opposite label which was easily thought of was very convenient to find.    In fact, there are plenty of things which I could have shot and labeled as BEAUTIFUL like a tree, sky, landscape or the bay side. Since a bouquet of roses is usually given to an admired and valued person, the concept of beauty is usually associated with the giving of flowers.

This photo was then edited to include the adjective.  Until this video, I did not have a YouTube and Yahoo user profile photo as well. Aside from being used in the video, the edited photo became my Yahoo  and Google user profile image.  Also, this photo became my first YouTube channel's cover photo. 

Eventually, I will use the same image for my Facebook account since there are a number of users with the same name.   I was not trying to be different but I saw a namesake who used the photo of a popular actor.   Being in a field related to and hugely dependent on the Entertainment and Music Industry,  I do not see it proper to ride on the good graces (and faces) of other people.  Yes, almost all my musical videos ride on the popularity of the subjects but these videos, with utmost objectivity and humility, have merits on their own. To be distinct and to distance myself from a namesake,  I used an object and the image below.  

I still use this edited photo except that I already replaced my first YouTube channel's cover photo. If my memory serves me right, I briefly used this photo as thumbnail of the video.  There was a time when I entertained the idea that viewers would not watch the video because of the UGLY label in the thumbnail.  To fight off superstitious tendency, I settled for the "UGLY" label photo.

When I made videos for Paco Park Presents, I learned how to use a laptop video editor.  The editor enabled me to conveniently derive snapshots from my raw video footage. The mobile phone editor can also provide video snapshots.  However due to the phone's screen size, I did not use the phone editor's corresponding feature.

Even when I was recording with my mobile phone, the laptop editor has lessened my dependence on mobile phone photo shots.  It has allowed snapshots derived from the video footage to become the uploaded videos' thumbnails when I was able to customize thumbnails later.  Of course, I still took pictures for back-up when video shots are not sufficient to provide a good thumbnail.

Below are current video thumbnails which were based on mobile phone photo shots. These are photos of musical artists who performed in the videos.

Paco Park Presents "Aces of August"
 (Adamson University Chorale)

Noel Cabangon (Byaheng Universal 
Records - Robinsons Place Manila)

The CompanY @ The Glorietta Mall
Makati 2013 "Beat Box" (LightHearted)

When YouTube allowed my channel to customize thumbnails, creative possibilities seemed to be endless in coming up with a video thumbnail.  Well, NOT QUITE.  An uploader must be responsible to follow certain guidelines and MUST NOT abuse this feature.  One thing, the thumbnail must be faithful with the video content.   That is why I currently use the snapshots provided by the laptop editor from the video footage.

Rico Blanco "Himala + Balisong"
@ Glorietta Mall Makati 2014

Style Origin 2013 "Gala" @ The Glorietta
Mall Makati (Final Walk Medley)

In certain cases, I highlight the event with the performer. The thumbnail would contain portion of the event photo and the performer.

Marian Rivera @Araw ng Makati 2014
(Festival of Music)

PI Jazz Fest 2013 (The Jerome Rico
 Set) @ Greenbelt Makati

There are exceptions though in customizing a thumbnail aside from being faithful to the video content and selecting the best quality snapshot.  Sarah Geronimo's Heart Songs concert at the Glorietta Mall Makati 2013 had one memorable moment which was her rendition of the Captain and Toni Tennille song's Love Will Keep Us Together.  She invited a child from the audience area and I wanted that moment to stick with the viewer.  When I recently changed the video thumbnail, I made a snapshot which avoids needless exposure of a sensitive subject.  It might not be the best and clear snapshot but it serves the purpose.

Sarah Geronimo in Heart Songs @ The Glorietta Mall Makati 2013

As YouTube emphasizes that the video thumbnail be faithful to the video content, I provide thumbnails which are consistent with the video intent. To illustrate this consistency, I recorded Asia's Diva Ms. Dulce's rendition of What I Did For Love during the Festival of Music event of Makati City Day 2014.

For the Festival of Music 2014, my original objective was to upload a Rico J. Puno video and the full-length event video which contains portions of the segments of all concert performers. At that time, there was no plan for me to upload a separate video of Ms. Dulce since I just recently covered her concert in Robinsons Place Manila.

When I recorded her segment, her initial song was quite a deviation from her Manila mall repertoire.  Although I am aware that Ms. Dulce has a powerful voice, this was the first time I heard her perform a song from a Broadway musical.  Aside from the genre, I got the impression of voice control or "unbelting".  Significantly, Ms. Dulce's interpretation was very appropriate for the occasion and the audience.  It was far off from a Broadway-like rendition.  An Idina Menzel or even a Shirley Bassey-like interpretation at that moment may not be appreciated by the crowd who are not accustomed to Broadway musicals and/or stage plays.

The audience are not expecting a musical stage play during the event. Intense head, facial or eye movements and expressions to signify passion may not work for an audience who just want to be entertained.  One questionable impression is that the Filipino audience is hard to please - a  "typecast" in my opinion.  They just require the performer to give them what they expect.  They differentiate artful presentation from entertainment.   Ms. Dulce's rendition was toned down and liked by the audience.  

Anyway, the performance impressed on me subtle passion and sensuality. Thus, I have to provide a snapshot which must conform with the video's intent to show Dulce  as a "sultry" (in a subtle manner) singer and not the "belter".   For Singles and Covers channel, there are two videos which illustrate Dulce's different persona.

Ako Ang Nagwagi (Inspirational Version)

What I Did For Love

Although I was satisfied with the thumbnail, there was a portion in the video which I regret to include. This was the moving heart with the song title What I Did for Love.  As a video creator, I learned how to cover up footage anomalies that will render the entire video recording useless.  In this case, the moving heart just covered a person running across the performer.  For several seconds, the video seemed like an anime video.

Aside from being faithful to the video content and video intent, the thumbnail must be consistent with the channel requirement.  A YouTube channel might require uniformity and certain characteristic in its video thumbnails.  An example is deliberately putting an icon or symbol ,not necessarily as watermark, in the video footage.  The generated thumbnail images would include such figure.  For a musical channel, the uploader can indicate the video artists and show titles in its custom thumbnails like the ones below.

PASINAYA 2013 - Bayanihan Philippine
National Folk Dance Company
"People Under the Sun"

PASINAYA 2014 - Bayanihan Philippine
National Folk Dance Company
"Fiesta Folkloriada"

PASINAYA 2014 - Ramon Obusan
Folkloric Group "Solotan
(Maranao Suite)"

As for my channels, I do not have such requirements.  Instead, I just recently replaced a thumbnail for a video in line with my channel's bias toward something new, different and experimental.  Well, I might have prematurely sounded off the direction I want my first channel to take.

Enter the Dragon-Ball 2012

For the video Enter the Dragon-Ball 2012, I imagined the dragon boat paddlers outpacing the dragon since we survive beyond the year which is represented by the Chinese Zodiac sign.  Since I have limited sketching and drawing skills, I was short of realizing an oil painting-like image.  This image ,however, is not an exact scene in the video rather an assembly of elements and figures associated with the event covered by the video.  (This image would have included the Chinese delicacies, fireworks and dragon fruit if such items were possible to connect with the dragon and the paddlers at bay.)

Ka Freddie Aguilar @ Robinsons Place Manila "Anak"

As mentioned earlier, I still took photos as back-up option for video thumbnails when snapshots of raw footage recorded by my mobile phone camera were not satisfactory. If not for this instance, I would not request these artists for a photo op.  Thus, the purpose and intent of my photos(and thumbnails) is to represent the video showing the artist(s)' creative work.

For personal use, I would not mind the sharing of my images.  Otherwise, I would require notification for my approval.  In case the use is urgent, I expect at the very least an acknowledgement from the user (say Photo Courtesy of  "yours truly").

With or without notification, this is my STAND on the use of my images. I would not hinder use for the purpose of highlighting an artist' creative work or tribute provided acknowledgment is made. Why not, coconut?

If the commercial use is to include the photo in an article, post, video which deals with the artist's personal family issue(s) or related scandal, then I firmly suggest that the user look for another source perhaps a paparazzi.

As an uploader, one must remember that internet users will also be able to download and share his/her images aside from the videos.  Specifically for YouTube uploader with the custom thumbnail privilege, the use and distribution of images which we provide are partly our responsibility.  Do you think our photo and/or video subjects would allow themselves to be shot at if their image/video will be used in a future feed(article, post, news, etc.) dealing with their personal lives (scandals and issues included)?

Again, the above situation would make us think about the security of our images.  Watermarks and copyright have to be thought of and acted upon.   It is not only our job(or hobby) to point and click our recording devices but ,when feasible, to ensure our output be put to proper use.  It is near to impossible for us to monitor the publishing (digital and non-digital) world for the use of our work.  However, we can take appropriate steps to protect our domain and counteract if needed.

Being aware of the possibility of infringement should not lead us to either desperation or indifference.  I hate disputes but I have to stand by my ground.  Offenders often intimidate us by claiming that rules are meant to be broken and seeking justice would be difficult if not impossible.  Well, if they think that their body is more than matter then they will straighten up their acts.   Otherwise, we know that we are just dealing with objects.

Believer's Choice

Finally, when we 'uploaders' are provided the channel feature to customize thumbnails, we should maximize the use of this feature.  If you don't have time right after the video upload,  utilize this feature even at a later period. After an upload, take time to review your video and you might get an insight.  Upon review, you might need to improve the video thumbnail.  After all, the right viewer might only be waiting for the right thumbnail.

Note:  This post is NOT a reaction to an unauthorized use of a video thumbnail photo of mine.   

Let's Wait Awhile

After nearly 180 videos, I still get a little excited after the Upload Complete and Processing Done YouTube video upload status messages appear.  The next video upload phase is "Publish" video event or making the uploaded video available to the public.

When I was a newbie, I publish my uploaded video without hesitation.  Now, there are several things to consider before I make my upload public.
                                                                           

Uploading Strategies

                                                           
If the recorded video features a concert or show which forms part of a series, I have to wait for the completion of the last show in the series before making the full-length (the whole show) recorded video public.  I do not want to preempt the later shows in the series even prior approval was granted to record and post the video.

Reality ,however, dictates that a video must be uploaded shortly after an event.    Event awareness diminishes as time passes by.   For YouTube channels with many subscribers ,say 10000,  a video is expected to have plenty of views brought about by the subscriber base.  For other channels with small subscriber base,  video views are triggered by event/performer-activity awareness.  Also, if the event is not exclusive, view count is affected by the number of uploaded videos     Assuming there exists a level playing field **,  the earliest uploaded video gets a head start.

** (A level playing field exists when uploaders abide by the same set of rules and organizers do not assign program segment(s) to specific uploaders.  Although a YouTube channel can be associated with an event, fairness cannot be questioned without due cause.  This event association happens for events held with regularity such as annual festivals.  For these  events, certain channels had uploaded videos in the past and have earned a positive feedback from viewers. In this case, viewers though not subscribers will opt to watch and share the video of a familiar channel.  Of course, there is also a saturation point for these viewers when they look for something new later.)      

344th Araw ng Makati  FESTIVAL of MUSIC 2014

To address competition resulting from several uploaders,  I usually upload the event's defining moment.  That moment is easily identified via the reaction of the live audience.

It is also true that an event has not one but several remarkable moments.  Well, an uploader must also be aware of other uploaders' activities.  This is the time when I believe the word COMPETITION stops and COMMUNITY starts.  It has never been part of my objective to "KILL" (dampen) the views of another uploader.  As much as possible, I will avoid uploading the same portion and show segment.  I usually opt to upload a longer video even if views are likely to be less than a song-length video.  By having a theme, one can be creative to upload a longer video.

There are also times when a remarkable moment has not been given attention by other uploaders.  In this case, I check if uploading another moment will "KILL" the views of my other uploads.  If there are a couple of concert highlights,  I save the other "best" for last.   Although I am aware that views may not come easily because excitement regarding the event has dwindled already.  Because of the segment's impact, I still believe that the last uploaded video will still acquire views in the end.  Viewers can still discover the last video's merit at a later time.

Now, if there are not one, not two but several highlights,  then I give it my best shot to create a full-length video upload of the event.  That is why utilizing a video editor is mandatory  when an uploader desires to present all the concert highlights.  With an editor, it is possible to have a smooth transition from one concert highlight to another.    Unless all your raw footage are perfect,  you can upload all of them and use the YouTube Video Editor to connect and combine all raw footage.   Still, you have to use the YouTube editor.

External Video-Related Events

                                                             
Another consideration prior to making a video upload public is the time of publication.  As an example (and my suggestion to avoid an upload), uploading rock fest or festive videos are not congruent during the season of lent or a post-calamity scenario like typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. This time is when human sensitivity is needed.  

Also, publishing decision must be reviewed when video subjects are involved in exceptional situations like crime, scandals and controversies.   Your video maybe well crafted but since your subject is the object of mass ridicule and bashing at the moment, viewers may tend to avoid or worse "dislike" the video.  There is always a right time when the video can be given a fair chance to be viewed.   We cannot also ignore the possibility that loyal followers of a controversial video subject will rally behind the subject.
                                                         

Video Enhancement

                                                                               
An uploader must also consider if the uploaded video needs improvement and/or enhancement. During or after an upload, I get to see an "improve your video" message.  In my case, this almost always refer to the stability of my video.  Although I want to use a tripod which would significantly lessen the shakiness of the video, most venues do not have space to accommodate video/photographers with such apparatus.  Imagine half a dozen people in  the audience area with such equipment.  Aside from lack of space, camera holders with these apparatus would block the views of several spectators. Thus, video enthusiasts forgo the tripod and opt for mobility and convenience.

Because of these movements, one can utilize the stabilize function of a local video editor or YouTube video editor.  When using the YouTube editor, I suggest that the video need not be published immediately.  One can go to the video enhancement option to address the shakiness problem and such others like video cropping, etc.  Eventually, the uploader will still have to decide whether the video editor has indeed enhanced the video or not.  The YouTube editor has a "revert to original" option which retains the uploaded original version of the video.

Next time when you see a stable or a good video,  it is possible that the video editor contributed significantly to the video quality. Hence, I consider YouTube video uploading a collaboration.  As a creator and in line with YouTube objective, I want many views and longer viewer engagement for my video.  For this endeavor, No Video Creator is an Island.
                                                           

Platform Availability

     
During a YouTube video upload and after the video has been processed, a matching third party content message appears.   This refers to a copyrighted material included in the video like the song being performed by an artist.  When this happens,  I check the information regarding my video's Copyright Notice.  I immediately acknowledge the valid copyright claim and determine if my video is available and playable in all countries and platforms (such as mobile phone, tablets, desktops).

When a song is claimed, there is a big chance that the video is not available in mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets.  In such case and even if I have already published the video, I still review the video if an audio swap is possible for the claimed song.  As an uploader, my objective is to enable my videos to be available in all platforms.  When there is a copyright claim, the video has a limited platform availability (in my experience my videos can only be viewed in desktops).   The solution is to replace the copyrighted material if possible.

For the above video,  I used "Moonlight Sonata" to replace a copyrighted background music during Ballet Philippines' Duets segment.  My objective is not to bastardize the performance but to allow views from all platforms.  As long as the replacement audio would synchronize with the performers' movements, audio swap can solve limited platform availability without compromising content integrity.  I would not advise an audio swap for the entire video or even for more than a third of the video length.  As a serious video creator, you would not even recognize the original intent of your own video by just making an arbitrary swap.   I still remember my first video where I originally used Madonna's This Used To Be My Playground and Whitney Houston's Miracle.  Below is the resulting audio-swapped video.

Aside from enabling my video to be available in all platforms, I did an audio swap to enable video availability in certain countries.  In the case of my Style Origin Gala video, the original version was not playable in the USA so I created a Final Walk Medley version.  For the edited version, I had to use several songs and combine them.  Then, I applied the song medley during the celebrities' final walk on the runway.

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Video Security

                                           

Once a video is published and made public, it is shared to all users with different intentions - watch, comment, rate, share and even "grab" the video.  By grabbing the video, the user can make unauthorized copies and distribute the video or even re-upload the video as his own.   Digital and Social Media Pirates are more technical and daring nowadays.  

Well, there are still options for a video maker.  One is to implement watermark and digital imprints on the video.   Another option is to overlay an uploader logo via an editor on the recorded video.  As for me, I can only do so much to ensure security for my videos.   In the end, a video maker will know his work because of the style.  My musical videos reveal a couple of styles which I use (and I hope you have time to find out by watching my videos).  The bottom line is a video grabber will always know that he/she will never be a creator - since the pirated work DID NOT come from his coconut. 

As for us video creators and uploaders, we would only truly understand what a copyright owner feels when his/her work is infringed until a grabber plays around with our creations.




Complete Post Title:  Let's Wait Awhile (Postponing Publishing of Uploaded Video)
Post title inspired by song title of Janet Jackson's song about postponing ... or abstinence (?).    :)

Throwback 4 : (Acknowledgements During and After) 46 Years in Sinai

The first throwback post of The Accidental Video Maker  reveals the recording devices used to create my videos.  The second throwback post shows my passion and interest for video making while the third throwback post chronicles my YouTube channels' output and direction.  The third throwback post ,also, details how almost all my videos turned out to be musicals - a genre which I use to include Entertainment and Music YouTube video categories.

This sentimental post is about the people, entities and life events that contributed to my video creation activities.  It is not an autobiography but an expounded acknowledgement list.  Primarily, the post forms part of  a video making blog composed of throwback  and non-throwback posts. For this blog, the throwback posts narrate how I became an accidental video maker while the remaining or non-throwback posts provide video making insights.

If you had read my previous non-throwback posts written after "Throwback 3 : Road to Konsyerto Pinoy Channel" post and prior to the "Right Spot" post, and thought these posts included "seeming dramatic" details and should have been part of the throwback posts, then I must clarify to you that these details only provide a scenario to an issue. The video making issue which these posts tackle is the video creator's initiative to request for a "Point, Shoot(Record) and Post(Upload) Approval".

I wanted to emphasize the need for video authorization from event organizers and from venue/mall officers and representatives.  The organizers and venue personnel are KEY people in the video making process since a video maker does not need to go directly to (and bother) the performing artist(s) and their handlers for video-op. These people can coordinate with the artist and the handlers about video opportunities or lack thereof prior to the show.  They can even tell you the extent of an upload which could be a part of or the entire show/concert.

As a suggestion, it might also help video enthusiasts if the event organizers could indicate a "free video-op" status in a concert/show poster or ad that would signal creators that no authorization is required to record and upload the show.  Otherwise if not indicated, video-op authorization  has to be secured.  

In this case, event organizers and venue establishments will also benefit since they need not hide important events in their social media sites from  video creators who they feel uncomfortable to deal with.  If such creators request for video-op, the least they could do is ignore or ,politely, turn down the request.

Now, we return to this throwback post. For some, it is difficult to believe that a video maker who is interested in classical music, ballet and folk dance could also like pop, jazz, rock and alternative music, street dance, hip hop and "rock" bands.  Often, personal YouTube channels focus on artists performing a certain or related genre/category of music.  Well, my channels are not the typical ones.  Based on my personal interest, Konsyerto Pinoy and Singles and Covers have not yet completed the full circle - from rap to tap, from experimental to sacred music, etc.

Of course, personal interest or ,simply, likes were acquired over a period of time. Often, these likes resulted from a memorable event or a pleasant incident which maybe caused by another person. From most Filipinos, it is not unusual to hear the term "utang na loob"  which means a deep and lasting personal recognition of kindness or favor accorded to oneself by others.  When I worked for a computer company in the mid-1980's, an office friend and I would literally translate for fun "utang na loob" to internal debt.

Aside from the BIG G up there, my undying gratitude goes to my mother Ester who raised me up and introduced music in my life.  Though she likes classical music and Filipino classics, I value the musical information  which I got from her. She loves the vocal versatility of Ms. Sylvia La Torre  who is the "Filipino Classic Diva and Vocal Queen" during the pre-martial law era.  I got to see my mother and her older brother (Uncle) Jose enthusiastically watched Aawitan Kita which was a weekly musical program highlighting Filipino classical music such as Kundiman.

San Fernando de Dilao (Paco Catholic) Church

Prior to my teenage years, my mother exposed me to classical concerts and shows which were presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines.  The shows which I attended to featured American pianist Van Cliburn, Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballe and Russian dance group Bolshoi Ballet.  Also, my mother enrolled me at the Philippine Women's University (PWU) College of Music and Fine Arts to study classical piano.  This activity paved the way for me to play the organ and keyboard instruments.  The most  cherished keyboard playing experience for me was to play the pipe organ of the Paco Catholic Church.  My last update was that the pipe organ retired more than a decade ago.

Well, if I thanked my mother then I must equally be grateful to my father Rodolfo who worked for the Manila City Office of Cultural Affairs which was then headed  by a well-known screen actor Mr. Jaime de la Rosa. My parents' love story was a musical set-up where my father's piano playing accompanied my mother's singing.  My father was a good keyboard instrument and guitar player. Aside from the guitar, piano and organ, he can also play the accordion.  Though I did not have his good looks, I got his creative passion and temper.

Paco Catholic School (PCS) and my former parish priest and school director Father Francis Libeer CICM are tops on my acknowledgement list.  My elementary and high school Alma Mater introduced me to several musical genres which are not commonly appreciated and popular in the Philippines then.  These genres (with no specific criteria such as period, era, region, etc.) include Western Classical, Broadway, Filipino Ethnic and Filipino Classics.  This was made possible by being a member of the PCS Boys Choir in the early 1970s.  I do not have a good voice but I remember that I can carry a melody in "tiple" (Spanish term meaning soprano voice of a boy).  I still remember Father Francis would check on us if we were practicing in the choir.  Once, we chose to play hide and seek with Father Francis to avoid the regular choral practice.

Our choirmaster Ms. Virginia Pabalan was very patient and tolerant with me since I just wanted to sing the melody of the song.  During choir practices, I frequently questioned myself why do I have to sing portions of a musical piece in a "directed" manner or other than the melodic line.  That is when I learned the concept of harmony.  Well, melody, harmony, etc. are musical tech terms which are still to be clearly defined to me. The important thing was that I understood the purpose of a "choir".  Imagine several people singing in different melodic progressions producing a harmonized and recognizable blend of vocal lines.  Whew!  I cannot clearly explain that but it might help if you watch the videos above and below.

Looking back, being a choir member was an honor and a great experience for me.  I got to perform at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater stage in a choral competition for boys in the 1970s.  I could not recall the outcome of the contest but that was roughly the start time when I became a Las Pinas Boys Choir fan.  Coming from PCS Boys Choir which was also formed by the same Belgian missionary order CICM as the Las Pinas Boys Choir, it was easy for me to admire the superb and meritorious performances of the latter choir.

                     

 

Overlapping with my intermediate and high school education, I took up my classical piano course at PWU under Mrs. Felipa Francia.  She patiently introduced me to the world of Mozart, Bach, Chopin and Bartok. Like a linguist who must be proficient in a language, a classical pianist ,at the very least, must have the tolerance and discipline to play every classical sonata.  Unfortunately, my heart and mind could only learn and perform the musical pieces which interested me. Thus, I had to let go of my piano course.

Although I took up a college course which was not my choice, I was fortunate to finish my college studies at De La Salle University DLSU with an objective of just obtaining a diploma.  Before getting my Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics, I was so enthusiastic to complete and defend my undergraduate thesis with my thesis partner Ms. Leila Verceles.  The thesis was "Mathematical Methods of Scheduling Television Network Programs" which incidentally uses Game Theory in coming up with programming strategies for two competing television channels 2 (not yet ABS-CBN) and 7.  The thesis ,by the way, was made prior to the death of the late martyr Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino.

The above 1982 thesis was finished with the help of Mr. J. Roy of Channel 7 (now GMA 7).  Just for this experience, my deepest gratitude to De La Salle University (which subsidized my college studies) and GMA 7 via Mr. Roy's participation in our thesis.   It was also my time at DLSU when I became glued to American Top 40 (AT 40) of Casey Kasem in the radio.  The weekly Billboard Top 40 rankings fascinated me and my classmates more than how the rankings were derived at and statistical data were gathered considering Statistics was part of my undergraduate course. I remembered entering college at the height of Donna Summer's popularity (the "Bad Girls" album year) and finishing my undergraduate studies during the height of VIVA Films top grossing movies and melodic themes ("Sinasamba Kita" translated I Adore You, and other songs).  

In large part, my videos and choices are indirectly influenced by my personal experiences. I was very lucky to witness the first major Philippine Popular Music festival Metropop with exceptional songwriters Ryan Cayabyab (Mr. C), Freddie Aguilar, Jose Mari Chan, et. al.  Together with Mr. C, Hajji Alejandro who is the featured artist in the video below won the initial Metropop contest.

Until now, the songwriters featured in the pioneering Philippine popular music festival continue to make an impact in every Filipinos' musical digestion.  As an example, Mr. Ryan Cayabyab who composed the monumental/epic song "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika" continues to deliver compositions that any Filipino could be proud of.

Mr. C's compositions include Smokey Mountain's hit "Paraiso" to Voices for Visayas' "Just Believe" which is a collaboration with Mr. Jose Javier Reyes.  The latter song was the finale for the Benefit Concert for the victims of typhoon Yolanda.

It is not unusual for most Filipinos to like foreign music. In my case, I encountered the Spanish song "Eres Tu" in college and immediately liked it.  I even remember our Spanish class instructor led the class for a vocal exercise of this song.   Prior to college, I also encountered a French song on Television (probably  a movie shown on TV)  "Un Homme et Une Femme (A Man and a Woman)" and liked it as well.

The initial Metropop and weekly AT40 with Casey Kasem were key events which provided the balance in my musical choices.  Some people hate to be considered old.  For me, I am quite lucky to hear the various sounds of different generations.  I might be partial to the sounds of a certain era but I can "dig" and appreciate the latest compositions.

Aside from music, I am thankful for the visual events which I have attended to.  Specifically for the Philippines, there was a time that a moviegoer can repeatedly watch for free a movie from the theater's opening to the last full show.  There were festivals dedicated to showing of films - from the Metro Manila Film festival to the Manila International Film Festival.

Even if I do not have a photographic memory, I must admit that each local or foreign film and video which I have seen before may indirectly affect my video creation.  The content, pacing, lighting, shots, angles, etc. of my video rely heavily on personal preference rather than on documented and accepted technical standards. Although experimentation is encouraged by this field,  I still adhere to certain technical and content limits. There are things which we cannot and/or must not do in a video.  Our imagination can be endless but reality dictates that there are dreams which will remain forever as such.

The above reminds me to especially thank the various artists, performers and subjects who shared their talents, time and effort in my videos.  These people enabled me to realize my dream of creating videos. Next to these video subjects, I am indebted to the personnel of various concert/show venues like malls, to organizers of covered events, and to the handlers of these performers that include recording companies, television networks and management companies.

Aside from the people above, I also need to make special mention of two communities where I resided and gave me video opportunities and ideas. The first is the city which I consider my hometown.  In the literal sense, this city was originally a town.  When I was born and during the first decade of my life, Makati City was just a town of Rizal.  I still remember having indicated "Makati, Rizal" as my home address then.

Definitely, I did not intend to have a very unfortunate incident for my initial Makati City video.  Although the fire was a news item, the video was intended to get a special message across - our proximity to an issue determine our mindset. If we are not directly affected by an issue or we are far from it, we live somewhere with an uneasy tranquility.   The closer we are or involve more ourselves to an issue, we hear a lot of noise and sadly some noise, news or talks, are disturbances or false.  However, if we are in ground zero then we would know the truth.  The video above was shot in three different locations which the viewer can associate with what I have mentioned regarding proximity to an issue and mindset.

This year 2014, I was relieved to come up with a video which shows another side of my hometown-city. I see hope and triumph with the performers of this video.  These students are the future of my hometown-city.  If they get their acts together and aim for a common objective such as working for the advancement of the community's welfare (like what they have accomplished during the street dance competition), Makati can become one of the most desirable cities to live in the world.

The other place is Manila where I got my education and I lived the longest (as of this writing).  My earliest videos were mostly recorded in Manila.  I got to show the street which is the heart of Paco district in Manila.  Calle Paz or Paz street could very well represent the country today.  It is old but still a work in progress -  meaning Hope Floats and NOT Lost.

Aside from history, Manila has a certain character that many Filipinos can get used to.  In fact, a song clearly described such getting used to and longing for Manila.  Aside from local artists, foreign acts have their covers of the song titled "Manila".

(Click MANILA (Konsyerto Pinoy Mix Version)  to watch the video.)

Aside from films, movies and videos,  live concerts are visual events which I attended to.  After college specifically from the mid-1980s to the 1990s, this video maker was fortunate enough to witness musical icons of previous generations perform.  I will never forget Whitney Houston's impressive vocal performance at Frankfurt Festhalle in 1988.  She has yet to record songs from the Bodyguard movie at that time and "One Moment in Time" has just entered the top of the charts.

I quite admire four (4) foreign vocal pop artists - Donna Summer, Michael Jackson, Christopher Cross and ,of course, Whitney Houston.  Creating the "Queen of the Night" video by the Philippine Madrigal Singers Madz during Pasinaya 2014 was very familiar because of my interest in both Donna Summer and Whitney Houston. What has Summer got to do with this?

Prior to the above video, I was unaware of other Madz "Queen of the Night" cover videos which I just recently watched.  When the Madz began performing their final song during Pasinaya 2014 Golden Voices, I immediately noticed a very different arrangement of the announced song. Yes, the arrangement is an exact fit for the Madz but how could this song turn out to be what was announced at the beginning of the show?

Then I remember the structure of Donna Summer's "Last Dance" song which starts with a slow and soulful ballad-like prelude and progresses to the remaining upbeat portion.  In a similar manner, I associated the Aria prelude prior to the upbeat portion and the actual melody of Whitney Houston' original version.

For the above experience, I must not forget the influence of the Cultural Center of the Philippines CCP in my musical life and definitely CCP's help in my video making endeavor. It was also a supervising usher from CCP who suggested that I attend shows of Paco Park Presents to cover vocal performances.  In doing so, not only my video making activity benefited but my understanding of Culture and the Arts have been broadened by CCP and the National Parks Development Committee of the Philippines NPDC that handles Paco Park Presents.

Before I started creating musical videos, I did not know the relevance of certain events in my life like becoming a choir boy, learning to play the piano or watching classical concerts and musical TV shows.  Even with a limited vocal and instrument-playing talent, I did not aspire to become a musician or a singer.  I just took the ride which served to be a familiarization tour and preparation for a recent hobby which became very dear to me.  These events happened by accident and with a purpose.

Together with my musical and film interests during and after college, these life events would have made video making a hobby by choice.  Partly true but the trigger point is somewhat by fate and a real accident.  Some people do not always have the means (time, financial means or simply budget, and freedom from social or familial obligations) to direct their efforts in finding their vocation or ,less passionately. career path.

When I worked for a European computer firm, I met people who are certain of what they want in life.  Due to their chosen career path - Information Technology, they are simply content with their work.  With dedication, they became successful in their field.  In my case, these encounters with such colleagues inspired me to continue searching for the task that will bring out my life's essence.

The accidental discovery of such task will be discussed in my last and fifth throwback post.  Together with the people and entities mentioned in this post, I would thank in advance my supportive relatives, Nokia, LimeWire, YouTube and a special education school that provided a series of accidental events which triggered  my video making activity.

For some people, they discover early in life what they are good at and what they enjoy doing.  For others like me, a long journey is needed to discover a task or hobby that will complete our being. Like the ancient Jews who had a long journey in the Sinai desert before they reached the promised land Canaan, I did not forget my goal and searched for the task that will make me happy.  Video creation was a deliverance from a state of restlessness in my career life.  No matter how I dedicate and focus myself in my previous jobs and activities, I was still unsatisfied with whatever outcome.  Today, it only takes a good video to bring the utmost joy in my heart.

Sometimes, such discovery takes nearly a life time and ,in my case, nearly half a century.  For what this discovery is worth, I consider myself very fortunate to realize my passion and ,probably, a vocation. At this point, I also have learned and accepted the fact that video making - a task which is dear to me - may not be forever done.  I just hope that it would be easy on my part to bid video making goodbye if I have to.

The Right Spot

November 6, 2013
Initial Writing of The Right Spot Blog

Different strokes for different folks!  For this uploader, happiness comes with a thousand views. Yes, you are right that my satisfaction as a video maker is a bit shallow. It could be true that any YouTube uploader aspires to make it big and to have a viral video.  Of course, I want to be one as well.  But  I was raised to be contented with what I have.  I grew up not having my way all the time.  When I have done all the possible legitimate ways to achieve a goal,  I let Heaven decide whether I get it or not. 

So when making a video,  I do the best I could and ask Heaven for viewers to watch the video.  Don't be mistaken that I just utter repetitive incantations which will enable my video to charm viewers.  Nope, I do not utilize any "hocus pocus" tricks here.  I market the video by extensively using the various social media networks available and by looking for possible venues to expose the video.

This marketing activity though does not (and will not) include creating a campaign with a budget.  I created something which can be viewed for FREE. Unlike the movies, the paying public indirectly subsidize the advertising campaign.    You can call me stingy but I will never be desperate for exposure. Remember, video making should be a fun hobby for me. If I intended video making to become a business then the equation will be entirely different.  If a potential viewer chooses not to watch my video then I respect that decision.  If  the reason is that viewers cannot find my video, then I have to be more creative in finding more ways, channels and sites that will expose my video.

Aside from paying viewers or providing budget for a campaign to entice viewers to watch my video, I also DO NOT have a habit of finding people to add as Google+ and/or Facebook FB friends to possibly SHARE the video.  However, my small number of FB friends knew my intention for the use of social media and ,that is, to market my videos.  If you are a friend and/or in my circles, then you are always welcome to post and share your stuff.   I firmly and always believe in persuasion, initiative and volunteerism.    Best things in life are free.

Though the negative emotion brought about by the earthquake dwindles, I still have to feel the usual joyful "Christmas" spirit. With the exception of Freddie Aguilar's Anak video featuring Maegan and Jeriko Aguilar in which views jumped from the hundreds (400+) to a thousand plus (1,450) as of today 7th of November 2013 in just 15 days due to an issue which should have remained personal but is haunting the musical icon (an event which illustrates some people's preoccupation to meddle into other people's affairs and to dwell on unnecessary issues and intrigues),  there was no other event which has brought positive effect on my video making activity.   

My recently uploaded videos are far from my "happiness benchmark". With better video quality and disputable inferior musical content, the recent uploaded videos are only getting so-so number of views. Some would say, the video length could be the culprit. That could be right if   my channel is not a concert channel.  It is ridiculous to expect and view a three to five minute concert video. They could just opt to watch another channel like "Singles and Covers" which features song-length videos.

Instead of wasting my time mulling over the mediocre view counts and waiting for positivism to come, I am searching for a commercial material which could inspire me to proceed with this hobby of mine.  In other words, I am MOVING ON.  Part of moving on is retaining the lessons from the past.  I was suppose to write my last two or three throwbacks to complete the narration of being The Accidental Video Maker. However, I decided to write about the important lessons which I have learned from my latest videos. 

Completing a series of SALUDO HERO Foundation Silver Anniversary Concert videos proved to be cathartic from the negative emotions which was brought about by the destructive shaker in the Central Philippine region  weeks ago.  Though a potentially strong storm is nearing the Philippines as of this writing, I am hopeful that the destructive impact would be minimal due to the disaster preparedness activities being done by the would-be affected people and their local government units.  

Different emotions arise when I look at the thumbnails of the videos.  For the SALUDO concert videos, I feel positive even with the "usual" problems in life.  If I could just show the faces of the children above in the SALUDO concert (complete artists version) video to somebody experiencing difficulty in life today,  probably the person could "wait" for Hope and Help to come.  Some of these children could have lost their soldier-father in the line of fire and ,in effect, have lost the opportunity to share precious bonding moments with their dads. But you see, life goes on.  Even if these kids are just living behind the legacy of their fathers, they face the uncertain future with HOPE.  How many of us can say that our problems right now are more difficult and heavier than what these kids have experienced?  It is not appropriate for me to say "Be Brave" but I would rather pose a question - Can we be more hopeful? 

There are two more SALUDO concert videos which strengthened my resolve to overcome the negative emotions brought by recent events.  I have already shared my thoughts about the icon violinist John Lesaca video.  The following videos struck me in different ways. One is a victorious comeback and the other is a comedic relief ("aliw" as I exactly refer to in the native lingo).

I will always remember the songs by Mr. Gary V and his contemporaries (whom I admire and would love to record as well) since my age is only one or two years older than theirs.  In the 1990s, however, I heard a couple of good songs from this musical artist but cannot completely remember them.  Suddenly, the guy vanished.  Until the SALUDO concert, I did not know that Mr. Chad Borja had thyroid cancer.   When he narrated his experience (coincidentally he is also from Cebu which is part of the Central Philippine region),  I got interested with his struggle and his triumph over his illness.  Well, my channel's airtime is always priority to people and events that can inspire viewers.

Finally, this musical artist not only made me smile but I burst into laughter a couple of times when I was editing and uploading the video.  The guy is so "animated" and he is a video maker's delight with the facial expressions and body movements which he makes.  Mr. Kleggy Abaya is a true embodiment of his musical genre "Jolly Pop".  Some people would dislike his request for the audience to stand up for his song "Discolamon".  Well, he got away with it due to a seeming naughty credibility? The segment of Banda ni Kleggy (Kleggy's Band) was FUN.  That is quite enough reason to feature him in Konsyerto Pinoy channel.

The SALUDO concert videos which I have enumerated not only provided me insights but also with a fundamental video making lesson which is CHOOSING THE MOST APPROPRIATE RECORDING LOCATION.  Technically, this should be the lesson but reality would make it BEING IN THE RIGHT SPOT. From my experience, I would only know that I was in the right spot during video editing. You only get to completely see and hear the recorded video by then. Since there are  a lot of uncontrolled factors during recording, you don't get to be in the most appropriate location even the place was your choice.

Unlike studio recording, public recording (in malls, parks, etc.) does not allow you to control audience behavior, stage lighting, audio set-up and the weather.  Good thing is that there are competent sound and light technicians and engineers who ensure that the sound and light conditions are OK. To prevent the resulting video from having an unpleasant audio (such as sound blasts and feedback), it is safe to record ,at the least, a distance equivalent to the basketball court ring up to the free throw line area away from the audio system's speakers. Avoid recording directly in front of the loudspeakers and maintain an angle from the speaker. For the lighting component, the various recording devices provide automatic and manual functions .  Of course, the video maker must be aware of the limits of his recording device.

In effect, audience behavior poses to be the major stumbling block to a good video aside from the weather.

November 8, 2013
Tropical Cyclone/Super Typhoon Yolanda(Haiyan) Battered The Philippines

/*********************************     Remarks (not an official part of the Blog)  ********************************

The Accidental Video Maker had sent feedback that the Konsyerto Pinoy Features: SALUDO Banda NI KLEGGY video cannot be inserted in the blog.  No writing activity was done on The Right Spot blog. YouTube/Blogger via Google which received the feedback had rectified the reported bug from this date and onward.

During this time, tropical cyclone or super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) made several landfalls in the Central Philippine region.  This is possible since the Philippines is an archipelago meaning a chain or group of islands. The islands or areas where the eye of the storm made the landfall are (in chronological order):

1.  Guiuan of Eastern Samar province (southernmost tip of Samar island)
2.  Dulag-Tolosa of Leyte province  (Leyte island)
3.  Daanbantayan of Cebu province (northern tip of Cebu main island)
4.  Bantayan  of Cebu province (Bantayan island)
5.  Concepcion of Iloilo province (Panay island) and
6.  Busuanga of Palawan province (Busuanga island)

Source:  Official Philippine Weather Bureau DOST-PAGASA Facebook


********************************************************************************************************************/

November 13, 2013 onward
Completing The Right Spot Blog

Weather was the last word in the incomplete version of  The Right Spot blog written prior to super typhoon Yolanda.  Though the Philippines is also in the right spot for natural calamities such as tropical cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc. ,  Filipinos do not always make a big deal out of these disasters.   They rebuild and creatively search for things to amuse and entertain them after the hard task of rebuilding.  This time, however, the country's resiliency will be quite difficult to realize with the magnitude of devastation. The national psyche is still in a grieving mode though personal initiatives and relief efforts signal the start of the rebuild mode.

I pray hard and do hope that the rebuild mode will go on full blast to expedite national recovery.  Though the other Philippine regions were spared from the storm's wrath, the whole country is quite affected in several ways.  Feelings of sympathy, guilt, and frustration abound in the country right now.  Aside from empathy, I feel a certain amount of guilt as a video maker when I anticipate the condition to be looking up and search for  a video opportunity.  I pray for a speedy national recovery to allow myself and other people who share sentiments of sobriety and propriety in light of this catastrophe to resume our tasks and activities without worry and guilt.

As demonstrated by recent conditions, weather can kill an outdoor public event and the corresponding video recording.  In general and with the non-extreme cases, weather sets the tone of an outdoor video recording. Weather condition affects recording activities and even recording duration which determines the video length. However, a video maker can still adapt to tolerable weather conditions.  This leaves audience behavior as the major obstacle to a good output in public video recording.

Some people are not aware of  "Art Appreciation or Viewer Ethics".  Here's Mr. Prude again. When watching a concert, show or performance, one need not make a parallel concert or get other people's attention.  As a viewer, one must watch, listen and focus his/her attention on the performer. Although we have the freedom to express ourselves like talk to our seatmate and use our cellphone, we need not converse loudly in the middle of a performance and use our mobile phone within the concert area during show time.

As a viewer, it is appropriate to express our admiration of and love for the performer.  Clapping and cheering are tolerable actions in public/mall performances.  What is not acceptable is watching an artist and scrutinizing all his/her imperfections (from physical looks, attire up to performance).  A critic would write about his observations and not talk about these flaws during the performance. Some people think that they are watching a movie in a theater where they can talk with their seatmate and scrutinize the screen actors/actresses from head to toe.  What is shameful is when a concert goer attempts to ridicule the performer by talking loudly about the looks, body features and even sexual preferences.  From my experience, this happened in respectable malls and not only in outdoor community and provincial shows.

When a video maker records a show, conversation, noise and sounds within a certain range are captured by the recording device.  I refer to these as audio nuisances.  A laptop video editor which has audio editing functions can eliminate these nuisances at certain times.  However, there are inaudible and long (more than half a second) nuisances which cannot be edited by a regular video editor. Thus, the portion with the audio nuisance has to be excluded from the resulting video output.

Aside from verbal activities, another audience behavior which significantly affects the resulting video is audience movement.  When people see someone taking a photo or recording a video, they do not walk directly towards the camera and avoid being shot at by posturing down.  An exceptional number ,however, would block the recorder's path and would even talk loudly while securing a seat after coming in quite late during a concert.  Another case is when a fellow video recorder gets into your frame.  As a courtesy, a recorder must be mindful of his immediate surroundings and not block the view of another recorder.  Simply put, the performer is the star of the show and the reason for creating a video.

When audience behavior does not significantly alter the resulting video output from the raw footage, then one can say that he/she chose the right spot.  As a video maker, the right spot would be in an area near the stage or approximately within the first five rows.  From my limited knowledge of recording devices, the zoom feature uses more battery power and shortens recording time.  Thus, it follows that one is able to record longer at a distance near the performer.

There is also less shaky movements when recording near the performer rather than at a distance.  To prove this point, I have recorded the SALUDO concert videos at different locations.  The Banda ni Kleggy was shot near the stage while the Chad Borja and John Lesaca segments were far from the center stage.  Also, the SALUDO Concert Full Artist version was recorded at different distances.  Part 1 and part 2 were shot far from the stage while part 3 was recorded two and three rows away from the stage.

Again, this blog only provides suggestions in choosing the more appropriate recording location.  Personally, when I feel comfortable in my location,  I know I am in The Right Spot.