Video Scared Me Until I Made One

I can write thousands of words without a care, but I felt scared to make a video — until I went ahead and made one

I don’t know why I hesitated to create a video. I shoot video all the time on my phone. I have so many hours of footage just sitting in storage. For some reason the idea of combining everything into a short video package seemed overwhelming.

The fine people at ILLUMINATION are getting into videography.

It seemed like making videos was something “the cool kids” did. Like Casey Neistat. There was no way I could compete with him or the other YouTubers who have drones and travel all sorts of interesting places, I thought to myself.

But, I have interesting stories to tell. I’ve taken lots of videos around my regular life. And, I’m interested in other’s stories, so I know people will be interested in mine.

So, I took a chance.

And made this video after a couple of practice runs using my little app on my Android phone.

I admit that it isn’t my first time making video. I took a video class in high school. We used VHS cameras that were huge compared to the handy cell phone I carry with me everywhere. Editing is a lot different these days. I don’t remember a lot about it compared to now, except that it was more difficult.

Computers make things so much easier these days.

Editing videos on my phone is even better. I can lie in bed and edit video clips. I don’t have to go to a special video lab and have thousands of dollars of equipment.

I have been shooting tons of video footage on my phone over the years. I also have a generic Go Pro type camera that I ran on my dashboard for a while to capture what ever I could capture as I was driving.

Now, that I have gotten over my fear — not of taking video — but of editing it into something that tells a story, I am excited to incorporate it into my written word formats.

I used to tell myself that photography was better for use with written words. But, I am growing as an author. I have watched hours and hours of video programming through my life, so I have been trained. So have you.

It is a lot like writing. Once I figured out I enjoy it, there is no going back. I have to create and will create.

Thanks to Dr Mehmet Yildiz for putting the challenge out to ILLUMINATION authors to produce videos. Also, thanks for all of the authors who inspired me by producing their own videos as well.

Besom & Bletherskite (Alison Tennent) produced an inspirational video that helped convince me that this is the wave of the future. Or, better yet, that I should catch up with the present.

Karen Madej 💛 was the first video producer for ILLUMINATION. She blazed the trail and showed us all that it was possible.

Arthur G. Hernandez showed me the power of adding music combined with video and text, much like Besom’s video.

And, all of the other contributors to the ILLUMINATION YouTube channel who posted their creative works that inspire me so.

Suntonu Bhadra took the plunge and made a thank you video and included the required bookcase I see so often on news programming. I actually appreciate seeing everyone showcasing their libraries because it seems like so many people forget that the key to great story telling is reading lots of great authors. Plus, there is something about books that can’t be replaced by their electronic counterpart.

Another great video from Alison Tennent reminds me that everyone loves to be told a story. It brings back our instinct to gather around a fire and hear someone tell stories in the evening.

I can’t wait to see more ILLUMINATION authors produce videos. Each one inspires me in some way. It is also nice to hear people’s voices. I have to admit that I didn’t like hearing my voice for a long time, but it is part of me and so I’ve learned to love it as well. In much the same way as I didn’t like to see myself in photos. Now, I’ve learned to also love my image.

I encourage all of you to embrace yourself and create.

Combine video with the written word and let’s continue to tell stories and change the world!

Chris Hedges, B.A. (journalism / political science) and J.D., is an editor at ILLUMINATION, The Bad Influence, and Red Curtain Erotica. I also own Publisher’s Spotlight and x29.co.