Looking for project ideas...

[Ron Hunter]

OK, I've got some great toys to shoot and edit video. What I don't have are ideas for new videos to create!

Here are some of the ideas I've gone through and/or continue to use:
- documenting a trip to someplace new (e.g. zoo)
- documenting important family events (e.g. vacation, graduation, party, etc).
- interviews of family members or other people who are important to you.
- creation of slideshows using old photos (e.g. "Year in Pictures 2002")
- videos that explain how to do something (e.g. how to make coffee, create a craft project, etc.)

I'm looking for new ideas. Please help!!

[Chuck Engels]

One of my favorite things, when I have the people and the time, is to create short films. Just need an idea and sometimes a single prop.

Community events are also fun to film; Easter, Memorial Day and July 4th are all coming up

[momoffduty]

I've been told by an artist friend that your sleep cycle helps with the creative side. When I've been stumped for ideas I think about possibilities before sleep. And when I quit thinking too hard about it and idea pops up.

Some ideas to toss around:
Joey the Boxer - a day in the life
Any nature conservation areas in your town? Take a walk and only shoot photos. This may spark an interest for later.
Summer Festivals - we go to several in the summer. Only one had a no camera policy.
Summer Homecomings (carnivals) and parades.
Any historical areas? Maybe a mix of new video with old historical photos.
Car shows (not my thing, but guess guys like car shows.)

Give yourself a task to shoot only one type of subject or color. Shoot photos and maybe a video idea will appear.

For me, if I think too hard about lets say an art video then I get no ideas. But, if I decide I will just not think for a week or two an idea will surface. I've gone to the local park before and shot 100 photos and some video. Got home and deleted most. Just wasn't anything there that held my interest. But, later an idea may come to mind from that walk.

For my short 3 minute videos I may have 2 to 3 hours of video that I didn't use. I'll grab video of anything that I may find interesting. And more times than not it gets deleted when I get home. This is for when I am shooting for myself only. If I am shooting an event for the daughter or grand kids then I have a different mind set because I have a goal and looking at things of what they would like.

Wish I had a nickel for every time my husband asked "Why are you getting video of That?" I've replied a few times "watch and learn grasshopper".

[Ron Hunter]

Thanks, those are very good ideas. There is a walking trail not far from my office, think I may visit there tomorrow during lunch and just take photos. And Joey is always standing by, waiting for his next big screen moment!

[Francesco Carzedda]

I like very much Cheryl's idea:

a mix of new video with old historical photos

I am posting on Facebook some photos of wall paintings that have been restored or that there are no more.

Creating videos about places that you know will change could be nice.

I like your idea of memories as the subject of a video too.
Here is a great video by Gemma Green-Hope remembering her grandmother:

[_Paz_]

Great ideas!

My videos are usually wrapped in nature. Time lapse of a flower opening, bees and bumblebees on flowers, geese in the park or the feeling of autumn in the air. Of course, if we had snow... what fun that could be! Mr. B has been working on our boat trailer and as soon as it is ready to roll we are planning on going to a nearby cypress swamp to see what we see.

Twin brothers we used to know long ago had a video camera when they were teens. They created costumes and made their own Tarzan movie. It was hilarious! And really quite well done. Introducing children to making a skit and performing it could be delightful. Sort of like a class play. I really enjoyed the process of making my 'Indian Hunting' short I put together for a contest here.

[Francesco Carzedda]

Also a visual comment on a poem, a speech, an interview might be challenging:

[sidd finch]

Ron, I feel your pain. For me it seems to coincide with the purchase of a new piece of gear. I seem to run flat with ideas as soon as the gear sows up at the doorstep. Especially when the gear was ordered to do the cool new movie... Ahh the irony.

Sidd

[Francesco Carzedda]

To tell a story is often challenging ...

[BuddyB]

Especially if you get caught...

[Francesco Carzedda]

... between two knitting sessions ... ...

[momoffduty]

The poem idea is a good one! I saw a time-lapse to a poem. I've actually have a poem idea. It was written by my Aunt about our family. It is on my list to do. I am trying to find a female voice to record.

[Francesco Carzedda]

Cheryl,
I am looking forward to watching it, honest !

Why looking for a female voice ?

[momoffduty]

:tup: Cheryl,
I am looking forward to watching it, honest !

Why looking for a female voice ?

The poem was written by my Aunt. I would love to record her, but she lives too far away. Hopefully, she will visit this summer and have time to record. She writes a lot of family stories and sends in birthday/holiday cards. Sometimes adds a copy of an old photo. She also writes religious poems.

[Francesco Carzedda]

It would be nice to hear Cheryl's narrator voice ...