We Make The NY Times Today

You spell it t.r.a.v.e.l.c.h……

This morning, I am very happy to relate, we got mention in The New York Times for the Travel Channel Academy.

Matt Gross, who writes the column for The Times called me last week to talk about what kinds of cameras someone wanting to make great travel video should get.

The answer, of course, is a function of  how much you want to spend.

Far more interesting to talk about is the idea that now people are starting to create travel videos that have characters, arc of story and even plot.

Well, why not?

Matt apparently works with some of the VJ/Producers at The Times, which is fine and dandy, but in all honesty, of the videos he has posted on the site, the most interesting are the ones he did himself.

That’s because they have a real sense of personal authorship (as opposed to trying to re-create Ken Burns).

When people write about or create a video about something that they really care about and have a deep personal connection to, ti tends to come out as a bit more compelling than something created by a hired 3rd person.

Not that those are bad.  They are more often than not technically superior, but they just don’t have the same resonance.

In any event, I spent about half an hour on the phone with Matt, and we had a pretty good talk.

I tried to do my best to get New York Video School into the story, but to no avail.

But he did put up a link for The Travel Channel Academy.

So I am not complaining!

Thanks, Matt.

Michael Rosenblum

For more than 30 years, Michael Rosenblum has been on the cutting edge of the digital video journalism revolution. During this time, he has lead a drive for video literacy, and the complete rethinking of how television is made and controlled. His work has included: The complete transitioning of The BBC's national network (UK) to a VJ-driven model, starting in 2002. The complete conversion of The Voice of America, the United State's Government's broadcasting agency, (and the largest broadcaster in the world), from short wave radio to television broadcasting and webcasting using the VJ paradigm (1998-present). The construction of NYT Television, a New York Times Company, and the largest producer of non-fiction television in the US. Rosenblum was both the founder and President of NYT TV, (all based on this paradigm (1996-1998). The President and Founder of Video News International, a global VJ-driven newsgathering company, with more than 100 journalists around the world. (1993-1996). Other clients include Spectrum News, Verizon and CBS News.

3 Comments
  • Michael Rosenblum January 20, 2010

    Hi Vanessa
    We still love the SonyA1U. Still the best.
    What is really starting to get interesting are the DSLRs, like Nikon or Canon. Keep an eye on those. The next generation, once they get the audio thing settles should be a real game changer.
    m

    • Kevin January 20, 2010

      Excellent choice in cameras, I use the A1U exclusively and also my Canon 5D, which captures amazing video, although, as you say, the audio is lacking.

  • Vanessa January 20, 2010

    Well Done! I was wondering what took so long! Have you invited him to take your course or at least sit in and see what happens? Has he followed a TCA VJ on a project? Just out of couriosity what camera did you recommend him per following price range??
    up to $5000
    up to $10000
    $10000 and above.

    I still have the Sony A1U that you recommended on your CSPAN Interview back in 2009 and it has yet to fail me. It’s a great little camera.

    Congrats on all the good things going on with TCA – I certainly tell everyone who is interested! More Key West folks have taken the course!