Networked Media Week 8 – Networked Videography

Who is the practitioner (what is their name?) and when were they practicing? 

Sam Evans is an Australian content creator on all forms of social media, and at the young age of 23 he has worked with some of the top brands globally. Finding his love for videography and film making in his final year of high school, Sam decided to pursue a degree in Television Production from Bournemouth University, renowned in the film and TV industry as one of the most prestigious. However, travelling was always a desire for him, and it also inspired his art. Through his university course, Sam also undertook part of his studies at Ryerson University Toronto, known as the leading media university in Canada.  

Sam has travelled to every continent and approximately 90 countries and still counting. Working with brands such as Aldi, GoPro, Samsung, Skyscanner X Sydney and music artists such as Hayden James, his repertoire is like no other. However, he didn’t just start working with the big brands – like many videographers starting out he worked his way up. One of his first major jobs, one he remembers getting him in the door for more possibilities was. He was in high school and met Hayden Quinn (contestant on MasterChef Australia) and began making videos for his YouTube channel. A friendship grew but along with that Sam became more confident and was able to become more noticed. Everything took off from there. 

What is the title of the photo or video you have chosen to analyse (can you provide a link?)  

The video I have chosen to analyse was made whilst on a work trip in New York and is part of the #DaysOfNote challenge run by Samsung. Followed by his caption, the post is also accompanied with hashtags and other accounts. 

 

With the photo or video, you are examining when was it produced (date)? 

The video, as shown on the post through Instagram was produced on the 4th of September 2018. As he was in New York to promote a brand and product that he is partnered with (as described in the disclaimer above the video) it is suggested that it was produced and posted either on the same day or the next. This means that he is able to illustrate his travels in relatively real time to his followers hence creating a connection and makes his followers feel like they are with him on his journey.  

How was the photo or video authored? For instance, with a photo, this would involve understanding the device used to record it and the technology used to prepare the image for publication. Included in this observation may be how the image was recorded (like for example in a mise-en-scene analysis). 

This video was captured using a Galaxy Note 9, a smart phone released by Samsung, which is evident to audiences because of the hashtag Sam uses #GalaxyNote9. This phone most likely gifted to him through his partnership allows him to create quality content in the small device. Comprised of a resolution of 2960 x 1440 (Quad HD+), video recording features such as UHD 4K (3840 x 2160)@60fps, slow motion recording 960fps @HD, 240fps @FHD, and a battery life of approximately 14 hours this phone is not only compact and lightweight (only 201 grams), it also is easy to access and use in short time. However, because there are also clips where Sam is being filmed, it could be assumed that there is a possibility that a digital DSLR camera was used as well throughout the production.  

The video, like a vlog, takes a follower through a ‘Day of Note’. Due to the differing clips on show, it could be assumed that Sam took many different clips at different points and places and this suggests that whilst some of his clips were probably planned and pre-conceived, some of the more ‘B-roll’ clips were random and were taken when he saw something that caught his attention. Not only this, but the way the video is edited, with quick clips and transitions suggests that Sam was potentially trying to mimic the speed of the city he was in; New York being home of the hustle and bustle.  

Sam, when asked has said that he edits “videos on Adobe Premiere Pro and photos on Adobe Light Room and Photoshop. Adobe is the ultimate creative tool.” “I use Adobe Premiere Pro just because it’s a prosumer tool and it allows me to create anything I want, anything I can conceive in my head.” (Kirk, D 2017) Through him saying this, it is assumed this video was edited using this software and as Sam’s feed on Instagram has a lively and fresh aesthetic, he could have also used colour editing software such as Lightroom. 

Whilst this specific video was produced using a smartphone, Sam has a plethora of cameras to choose from. When asked what it takes to be a travel content creator, he replied: “you might want to hit the gym because A LOT of gear comes along with the gig”. (Kirk, D 2017) In terms of a regular day of equipment that he has constant access to, Sam said “Besides a camera, I’ve got a drone, a big DSLR camera which is amazing for the cinematic stuff, I’ve got 3 different lenses and I’ve got a second camera in case my first one dies. It’s not as big but it’s for worst-case scenarios. Obviously, all this stuff needs cables, so I’ve got a whole separate duffel bag full of chargers and cables. It’s a little bit of overkill but I’ve got anything and everything I need to make anything I want which is really handy”. (Kirk, D 2017) 

How was the photo or video published? For instance, with a photo, this would involve understanding the medium the photo was published in, like for instance – was it print media or the World Wide Web? Was the photo printed? If so, how does this printing process affect the photographer’s practice? 

This video, one of many, was published on Sam’s Instagram @samevanslife. Accompanied with the comment and description about what the video is about, Sam has also included links to other profiles on Instagram, which are most likely relating to the other people in the film and the location.  

Due to the nature of Instagram and the limitation of not being able to post directly from your computer, it is suggested that when he finished editing the content, he exported it and then shared it to his phone ready for upload. This idea of being able to share and send content so freely, is so progressive and something that analogue video was not privy to. Luckily for Sam, whilst the industry is becoming more competitive with the rise of new creators every day, he can produce and publish content is a much quicker and more efficient manner. 

How was the photo or video distributed? For instance, with a photo, this would involve understanding how the photo is distributed to multiple viewers. Like for example, if the photo was printed in a periodical magazine – how is that magazine marketed and distributed to viewers? 

This video, like how it was published, was distributed through the social media platform Instagram. However, what differentiates this post, is the partnership with Samsung and the hashtags used (#GalaxyNote9 and #DaysOfNote) which means that this video can be distributed and accessed through many different locations rather than just his profile. Whilst this specific video is not readily available on his website, it could potentially be in the future.   

Sam is also constantly posting longer form videos over on his YouTube channel which allows him to show a greater and more diverse range of works to audiences. This allows him to have a greater reach with audiences and encourages people to stay connected on both platforms since some content differs.  

 

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