Dear readers,
Want to be a movie star or a singing sensation?
It might just come through with the introduction of mobile video blogs. An article, “Rise of the mobile video blog”, by Simmons (2008) offers an interesting insight to the latest fascination: mobile video blogs. Simmons (2008) introduces mobile phones such as LG Viewty that shoots and edits videos on the spot. Following that, videos are sent to video sharing networks like Youtube and BBC Interactivity in which news stories are uploaded (Simmons 2008).
New genre structure
Dawson (2007) lists the genre structure seen in “mobile television”:
- Short duration, between 45 to 75 seconds, usually viewed outdoors
- Small frame size – a 2-inch screen
- Use of subtle narrative clues that may not be visible to mobile screens but are visible to television screens
- Less long-shots, more static close-up shots
- More slow-motion recaps
- The size of props and graphics enlarged
- Shot on a single platform to limit camera movement, as viewers are said to be in motion as opposed to the text
Despite the genre structure listed by Dawson (2008), there is no confirmed narrative or aesthetic structure to which mobile television is accorded compared to televisions. This is because the emergence of mobile video blogs is still in its beginning stages and has yet to gain stable footing. With that said, users may be left wondering what styles are suitable for mobile video blogging.
Immediacy
Undoubtedly, through the advent of mobile video blogging, information is disseminated instantly. Yospace (2005) asserts this notion, in which breaking news can be recorded and uploaded on the spot to video sharing websites. In the same way, news reporting via mobile video blogging has catapulted as suggested by BBC Interactivity assistant editor, Eltringham (cited in Simmons 2008), stating that mobile footage peaked from 10 to 12 videos two years back to an estimated 240 videos in a week today.
Ethical publishing
Source: Youtube
The story of Lonelygirl15 is of no surprise to many. It was intended to be a diary of a typical teenage life. However, Foremski (2006) revealed that Lonelygirl15 was an actress instead, known as Jessica Rose, hired by a production house.
As such, one cannot help but wonder if it is ethical to trick the audience by acting as someone who does not exist. Meadows (2008) asserts this, stating that the public was enraged by the creators, asking “is it fair to show fiction as fact-or next to fact?”
In conclusion, the benefits pertaining mobile video blogs is undeniable. However, ethical publishing issues are still or perhaps, even more prevalent among mobile video blogs. Therefore, viewers must judge each video’s credibility on a case-to-case basis.
References
Dawson, M 2007, ‘Little players, big shows: format, narration, and style on television’s new smaller screens’, Convergence: the International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 231-250.
Foremski, T 2006, How the secret identity of LonelyGirl15 was found, Silicon Valley Watcher, viewed 16 June 2009, <http://www.siliconvalleywatcher.com/mt/archives/2006/09/how_the_secret.php>.
Meadows, MS 2008, The three white girls from youtube: a modern day fable, Peachpit, viewed 16 June 2009, <http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1170496>.
Simmons, D 2008, Rise of the mobile video blog, BBC News, viewed 16 June 2009, <http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/programmes/click_online/7392594.stm>.
Yospace 2005, 3 launches UK’s first mobile blogging service, viewed 16 June 2009, <http://www.yospace.com/3gallery.html>.
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