December 09, 2007
Minnesota Stories is On Holiday
MN Stories is on holiday break until January 2008.
The site has been serving up fresh Minnesota-themed videos nearly every weekday since July, 2005. This is video #541. Check out the other 540 and comment if you have any favorites. Thanks to everyone who contributes, comments, and otherwise makes this pioneering community videoblog a great success.
Meanwhile, visit the many fine Minnesota videoblogs in the sidebar and find me over at The UpTake and my my personal blog.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:38 AM | Comments (27)
October 24, 2007
Knocking Down Barriers To Video Citizen Journalism
The revolution will not be televised, but it will be uploaded.
One by one the barriers to creating your own mass media have been coming down. First blogs let anyone publish their own newspaper, then podcasts let anyone publish their own radio show, now online videos let anyone put out a TV show…if you have the equipment and technical know how. Cameras and editing software have become less expensive and easier to operate. But creating and distributing your own video news story can still be a complicated and frustrating proposition.
The UpTake is stepping in to get rid of that last barrier.
This weekend The UpTake has scheduled its first video citizen journalism class. It’s free and open to the public (registration is required ahead of time through Wellstone Action). The class will cover the impact video citizen journalism has had and can have, cover story telling techniques and some of the nuts and bolts of shooting and editing video.
Video produced by Mike McIntee.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 11:31 PM | Comments (0)
June 26, 2007
Save Net Radio
The future of Internet radio is in immediate danger. Royalty rates for webcasters have been drastically increased by a recent ruling and are due to go into effect on July 15 (retroactive to Jan 1, 2006!). To protest these rates and encourage the millions of net radio listeners to take action and contact their Congressional representatives, a national Day of Silence will be held June 26.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 01:49 AM | Comments (1)
March 14, 2007
Dan Rather interview
In case you missed it, here's Andy Carvin's Dan Rather interview for Rocketboom.
On today's Rocketboom you can catch my own interview with the creators of Lonelygirl15.
The SXSW Nusic festival is officially underway! Pete Townshend's keynote is starting soon, and we're hoping to catch Solid Gold and/or The Deaths playing down here, and more....stay tuned. Or stay blogged. Something like that.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:12 PM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2007
Dan Rather behind-the-scenes
Andy Carvin interviewed a legend in our own time at SXSW in Austin, Texas: Dan Rather. I taped and edited the interview which is slated to be on today's Rocketboom. As usual, I'm just as interested in the "in-between moments." Here are some little slices of reality before the proper interview started.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:30 AM | Comments (14)
March 12, 2007
Signal jammin' @ SXSW
Make magazine's Phil Torrone and Limor Fried temporarily jam cell phone signals at SXSW 2007. You can too, at your own risk: Wave Bubble.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:10 AM | Comments (4)
March 09, 2007
How do you watch Internet TV?
Here's my entry into the Network2.tv contest. Features cameos by Lorika and Mooki. Wee!
NOTE: The Quicktime link was wrong before but now fixed.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 10:26 PM | Comments (24)
January 13, 2007
Citizen Journalists and the Edwards Campaign
I was one of several citizen journalist-types tagging along with the Edwards campaign when he announced his run for the presidency. I was with them from New Orleans to Iowa and New Hampshire, where I jumped off and headed back home. Here's my first dispatch, featuring an interview with Robert Scoble and NCDem Amy. Read more on the Edwards blog.
2008 is being called the "YouTube election." The Washington Post and ABC News both have good stories on the phenomenon.
EDWARDS TRAVEL DIARY VIDEO:
On the Road MOments with Edwards
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:01 AM | Comments (3)
November 16, 2006
Paranoid question for Keith Ellison
CNN's Beck to first-ever Muslim congressman: "[W]hat I feel like saying is, 'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies' " [SOURCE: Media Matter]
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 10:10 AM | Comments (7)
October 18, 2006
Amanda Interviews Chuck
Please excuse the narcissism. Amanda Congdon was in Minneapolis last week as part of her Amanda Across America vlog trip and simply insisted on interviewing me about Minnesota Stories, Blogumentary, and assorted geek video topics. How could I refuse?
Coming soon: Additional interview about the differences between filmmaking and videoblogging.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 11:39 AM | Comments (11)
August 18, 2006
Clockumentary
My employer, Clockwork Active Media Systems, was just named one of the "Great Places to Work" by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. So here's a little Clockumentary for all my peeps and homies down at the CW. Reprazent!
RELATED LINKS:
First Crack podcast: Online Communities 1.0 with Chuck Hermes on the history of the Bitstream Underground BBS
Clockwork Flickr photos: rrazor | massdistraction | chuckumentary
Matt Gray's stoplight on Rocketboom
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 01:16 PM | Comments (13)
July 29, 2006
Blogs on Almanac
FROM THE 7/28/06 EPISODE OF ALMANAC ON TPT:
It's a Bloggers World
How have blogs changed Minnesota's political world? We here from two bloggers who talk about their craft. Michael Brodkorb and Chuck Olsen are our guests.
RELATED LINKS:
Minnesota Demcorats Exposed thread
MNspeak thread
Local political blogger shootout
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 07:24 PM | Comments (10)
May 13, 2006
Negativland's Mark Hosler on Copyright
“You don't get total control.”
Mark Hosler is a founding member of sound collage pioneers Negativland. He talks about their role in creating the Creative Commons sampling license, and on copyright + culture in general. VERY interesting stuff if you're at all interested in intellectual property issues.
If you're not familiar with Negativland, check out this video. They're perhaps most famous for getting sued by U2. I also highly recommend you pick up a copy of No Business, their first cd with no original material whatsoever. Plunderlicious!
Mark Hosler is in Minneapolis for Negativlandland, a group exhibition which opened May 12 at Creative Electric Studios. It's a brilliant exhibit - go check it out on a Saturday, through June 10.
RELATED VIDEO:
Welcome to the Future
Negativlandland
Negativland videos on YouTube
RELATED LINKS:
Negativland web site
Some Assembly Required podcast featuring Negativland songs + interview
Creative Commons -NC Licenses Considered Harmful
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 11:32 AM | Comments (8)
May 02, 2006
Twin Cities Daily Planet
Minnesota is lucky. Not only do we have a diverse community and strong neighborhoods, but we have lots of vibrant independent media sources for those communities. It's that deeply local, humanistic community journalism that goes beyond what you see in big media. The only problem: It's scattered across many small newspapers and other outlets.
Enter Twin Cities Daily Planet. Besides having a cool comic book name, the Daily Planet is a portal to more than 30 community newspapers and online publications (including Minnesota Stories and MNspeak). All that local niche information is aggregated in one spot.
News shouldn't be a monologue; it's a conversation. T.C. Daily Planet have taken lessons from the We Media movement and South Korea's Oh My News (motto: "Every Citizen is a Reporter"). Are you passionate about a local issue? Become a citizen journalist and make the news.
RELATED LINKS:
Twin Cities Media Alliance
Daily Planet press release
The McGill Report
Amused Muse by Kristine Harley
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:10 AM | Comments (4)
March 31, 2006
We Media @ Carleton
We live in exciting times. I sometimes take for granted how easily anybody can create and distribute words, sounds, and images across the globe. It's no doubt transforming the way we live and the way we learn. Just ask the We Media students at Carleton College. They're diving head-first into every aspect of personal media and reporting on their experience through blogs, podcasts and videoblogs. Here's a conversation with the visionary man behind the media, Prof. John Schott.
PROJECTS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
Digital Lives | Digital Loves, a series of videos reflecting on digital student life. We Media Podcast explores many facets of personal media. (Rocketboom fans, check out the interview with Andrew Baron.)
This video contains excerpts from Attitudes Toward the iPod by Khanh Nguyen, and "He's Blogging Right Now!" by Tommy Helgen.
PHOTO CREDIT Karina Hill, Schmlog
Got a video to share? Email story@mnstories.com and flex the magic!
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:57 AM | Comments (16)
March 30, 2006
Rabbit Esoterica
This is a bit of interview with Australian filmmaker/blogger Matthew Clayfield, conducted in 2003 for my film Blogumentary. (Originally appeared on evilvlog)
Sorry, no Quicktime for this one at the moment.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:56 AM | Comments (1)
February 16, 2006
Cable Fable
Videoblogging? It's just the new cable access. Okay, it's more complicated than that, but this language of citizens taking back the media has been around way before anybody coughed up the word "blog." Just ask the author of this video, our mediavangelist friend "Media Mike" Hazard:
CABLE FABLES is a media relic from the salad days of vidiots and newvicon tube cameras. Widely known as the godfather of public access to cable television, George Stoney last came to the Twin Cities in 1980 to conduct workshops with citizens on how to develop good franchise agreements with cable companies and cities. Bloomington had cable, so he went to visit. As you watch, think “internet” when you hear “cable” and “television”. The issues sync, then and now.
Stoney returns to our neighborhood for four days packed with classes, screenings and the Alliance for Community Media conference. Tonight he kicks things off at Macalester College with a screening of his new film,Getting Out. For the full tilt, zoom to thecie.org.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 01:32 AM | Comments (4)
February 15, 2006
Simon's Dream
No, this isnt a lost episode of Chasing Windmills. This is a short film (real honest-to-gosh 16mm film!) I made several years ago. It holds a special place in my heart. This is dedicated to anyone who didn't have a date last night.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:21 AM | Comments (4)
February 10, 2006
Boxers
Bet you didn't know: The 2008 Olympic Committee just decided once again to not allow women's boxing into the Olympics. That's not going to stop 7 boxers from the female-owned Uppercut Gym in Northeast Minneapolis. They're on a journey to compete in an international competition. Filmmaker Joanna Kohler is documenting their journey. "The women boxers at Uppercut Boxing Gym are giving everyone a chance to remember what it means to take a risk for something you believe in."
This completes a perfect trifecta of trailers from Minnesota women making independent film. We're known for the music scene, but our film scene is a too-well-kept secret, especially when it comes to documentary. Break the silence, check out MN Docuclub and email me if you have a short film or work-in-progress you'd like to share.
. . .
(Psst... check out Art Shanty Projects on Medicine Lake this weekend. It's incredible. I'm still editing some footage of "Zombies on Ice" from last weekend, watch for that soon.)
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 11:30 AM | Comments (1)
February 09, 2006
The Beauty King
The Beauty King is the story of a grown man who competes with children in beauty pageants. That's really all you need to know, isn't it?
Okay, a little more. This is a short film by Juliah Rueckert, a Minnesota filmmaker now residing in California. It premieres this Saturday, Feb. 11 as part of the IFP Access Grant Screening and Exhibit beginning at 7:45 PM. Go check it out, along with other compelling short films and photography.
IFP Minnesota address: 2446 University Ave. West (near 280), St. Paul.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:10 AM | Comments (0)
February 08, 2006
The Red Tail
From redtailmovie.com:
The Red Tail is a feature-length documentary film that looks beyond the headlines of the historic struggle between Northwest Airlines and the workers whose loyalty and dedication built the company. From a three-plane company in 1926, Northwest Airlines has become the fourth largest airline in world.
Through a combination of personal stories of mechanics, flight attendants, pilots, ground workers, and union organizers, The Red Tail will explore this battle over money, power, and pride.
This is an important, much-anticipated story from Aquaries Media's Dawn Mikkelson, the award-winning director behind Green Green Water and THIS obedience. Help spread the word about this film - tell a friend.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:40 AM | Comments (5)
February 02, 2006
Media Violence
From Duane at DigElogROCORI: Stephanie Stracke is a ROCORI Student Councilor and a member of the Project SERV staff, a special task force brought together following the shootings at ROCORI in 2003. In this story Stephanie, who has her own teenagers at home, talks about how the exposure to screen violence can cause increased aggression, fear and desensitization to real life violence.
This is a sticky issue. I happen to love the occasional Grand Theft Auto shooting spree, but then again I'm (supposedly) an adult. I spent much of my youth in front of a computer screen, but I also spent summers cruising around the backstreets of Fridley on my Huffy bike. Stephanie has good advice in this video to have a balance, and tell kids "I care and want you to be successful."
See also:
Game Revolution: The Truth About Violent Youth and Video Games
The Onion: TV Blamed For Rise In Formulaic Violence
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:05 AM | Comments (5)
January 16, 2006
Save Oak Street Cinema
The fate of the Oak Street Cinema is up in the air, thanks to financial mismanagement at Minnesota Film Arts. MFA staff called an impromptu meeting last Saturday before screening Citizen Kane. The house was packed, a few board members were present, and accusations flew. Here's a video recap, a bit longer than usual at six minutes.
Sorry the video has a strange animation look to it – I went overboard trying to reduce video noise.
RELATED LINKS:
SaveTheOakStreet.com
MNspeak thread
Star Tribune, PiPress, City Pages articles
The Bug
New Patriot
MPR Movie Maven
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:44 AM | Comments (5)
January 13, 2006
Rocketboom [Behind the Scenes]
This is stretching the "Minnesota" in Minnesota Stories a little thin, but Lori and I were lucky enough to spend the week vacationing with the crew from Rocketboom this week. Of course we had to bust out the camera and capture some behind-the-scenes action. What you see here is the fun part - shooting the episode. What you don't see is the hours of work gathering links, writing the script, and editing that Andrew Baron and Amanda Congdon put into each episode.
Be sure to check out today's Rocketboom episode... it's pretty funny!
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:31 AM | Comments (4)
January 09, 2006
Welcome to the Future
* Turn down your audio before watching this video. Seriously.
Many of you have seen this video. It got some attention from the New York Times who said it "may be one of the best music videos of the year." I don't know about that, but it's been hiding deep in the archives of my personal vlog and I thought it deserved a spot on Minnesota Stories.
This video is my experience shooting some video clips of a Soundtrack of Our Lives show at a certain local rock club. I like to say that cellphone cameras have replaced lighters at rock shows. You see them as far as the eye can see. Photos, video, audio – people capturing moments. We're living in an age of personal media explosion. Unfortunately there's friction between that reality and those with an overzealous desire to control and protect commercial copyright. So here's me, caught in the friction.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:48 AM | Comments (2)
January 06, 2006
WCCO Radio
Yesterday I was a guest on WCCO radio's Pat Miles Show with Susie Jones to talk about videoblogging. I had a really great time. Talk radio must be a lot of fun. Pat and Susie seem like sassy, fun-loving suburban moms. (I mean that in the best possible way!) Watch for a possible MN Story from Susie's 12-year old son in the future.
Of course I brought my video camera along. I like getting behind the scenes of local media (See also: KARE-11 Morning). Pat Miles brought up a very good question. I have to get permission to tape her, don't I? It's sure a good idea to get permission, but we have a lot of freedom to capture images on both public and private property with important exceptions. Here are a couple of good articles explaining a photographer's rights, which in many cases applies to videography as well:
And of course, to start your own vlog for free visit freevlog.org.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:00 AM | Comments (6)
January 03, 2006
Happy New Year
2005 was an incredible year for Minnesota Stories. We posted 116 videos since flipping the switch in July, many of them from people like you with video cameras and a hankerin' to share. This little blurb from the Jan. 1, 2006 Pioneer Press says it best:
" 'Minnesota Stories' wouldn't exist without the contributors," Olsen, 34, says. "One of my greatest joys producing the site is hearing someone say 'I have a 'Minnesota Story' for you.' People actually go out and film specifically for 'Minnesota Stories,' and that's a huge honor. I prefer to measure the success of the site by the number of people inspired to create stories rather than the number of eyeballs."
This video is a hastily-assembled thank you to everyone who contributed a story, or makes Minnesota Stories a nutritional part of your daily online regimen. This is a really exciting time for media... it's shifted into our hands. We got the tools, and a place to share the weird stuff we make. That's pretty friggin' awesome.
In 2006 let's blow the lid off this mother. The only way to do that is for YOU to make a video and email story@mnstories.com! Stop procrastinating, and call today. Vlog operators are standing by. I talk to people all the time with amazing story ideas, just begging for someone to whip out a camera and make it happen. That person is you. Learn how by signing up for the IFP videoblog class (click "Education" then "Web Design") or learn yourself for free: freevlog.org. Or just drop me a note.
Your pal,
Chuck
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 06:15 AM | Comments (5)
August 15, 2005
Message from Chuck
Hello friends. This is a special message just for you.
Shoot some video, tell me what you got: story@mnstories.com
Sponsor Minnesota Stories: chuck@mnstories.com
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
August 05, 2005
KARE-11 Morning
I have to admit, I don't watch local news and can't really tell them apart. All I know is "Rick Kupchella" is the best anchor name, and Cindy Brucato's face plastered on billboards scares the hell out of me. This morning I had the opportunity to talk about this very site on KARE-11 First Edition. It went pretty good. Tim McNiff called in sick, so it was just me and Kim Insley who seems to embody KARE-11 Minnesota mornings.
Submit your stories! Email story@mnstories.com and tell me what you've got.
Sponsor Minnesota Stories! Email chuck@mnstories.com for details.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)
July 29, 2005
Behind The Loop
Tonight at 9PM, MPR debuts it's new program The Loop. Part This American Life, part Open Source, this pilot project brings Minnesota Public Radio (willingly, we hope) into the age of We Media. [See also: Public Insight Journalism]
I had the opportunity to get behind the scenes of the show this week. Show host Jeff Horwich invited Battleground Minnesota's Shakademic and Glenn to talk about their mix of politics and hip-hop. But no, that wasn't enough. They brought in the extremely good-natured MPR climatologist Mark Seeley to do an on-the-spot weather mashup with the boys over some fresh beats. I'm not sure if it'll make the final show, but that moment was just the sort of sparkle and spontaneity we desparately need on our airwaves.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:22 AM | Comments (7)