We need video content....

We had an idea that current students and graduates of the Graphic Communication programme in Cardiff would be willing to contribute to our research by sending short video clips of themselves working at their computers. As a year tutor on the programme, I had access to many email addresses. Production values were unimportant and a varying quality welcome to add authenticity to the videos within the grid. As a year tutor on the programme, I have access to many of their email addresses. I sent the email included below and waited for the avalanche of responses.

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Hi Graphics students

Do you have a computer?
Do you have a webcam?
Would you like to contribute to a research project exploring webcam narrative?

Matt Leighfield and Ian Weir are exploring how a webcam can be used to place a computer user inside the narrative of an on-line experience. Our ideas and prototypes can be seen at the following url:

http://webcamnarrative.blogspot.com/

What we need:
30 seconds of video shot from a webcam of you working at your computer
We are not over concerned about production values – use auto settings
If it is under 5MB it can be emailed as an attachment to Matt [mleighfield@uwic.ac.uk]
If it is too big to email give it to Matt on CD

When we need it
Provide Matt with an emailed attachment or file on CD by Friday 15th February

What you should do:
Sit in front of the camera
Be as natural as possible - do some work , surf the web for example
Look at the screen- it is ok to glance at the webcam however
Save the video as Quicktime

What you should not do:
Have lots of people in the picture – work on your own
Avoid over expressive movements (like standing up or hysterical laughter – we will be looping the video)

If you take part we will keep you informed of developments and your contribution will be much appreciated.

Ian/Matt