An idea

[raibeart_dubh]

I was just wondering, with all of the logistics involved in putting on a Kilt Kamp, if Barb T., Matt, and Steve have ever thought about making an instructional video as a supplement to TAoK and the Kilt Kamps? It would really help those out who can't make it to a Kilt Kamp and tide us over in years between Kilt Kamps.

I realize the logistical problems and enormity, not to mention finances, of such a project and understand if it is never a possibility. I just wondered if it had ever been considered?

[Barb T]

I was just wondering, with all of the logistics involved in putting on a Kilt Kamp, if Barb T., Matt, and Steve have ever thought about making an instructional video as a supplement to TAoK and the Kilt Kamps? It would really help those out who can't make it to a Kilt Kamp and tide us over in years between Kilt Kamps.

I realize the logistical problems and enormity, not to mention finances, of such a project and understand if it is never a possibility. I just wondered if it had ever been considered?

People have asked me this many times, actually. So, here's why I haven't done it. It is incredibly expensive to make a high quality video that has good footage, sound, and editing. It's easy and cheap to make one that's poor quality or lame or badly edited. I honestly don't have the time, the cash, or the inclination to make a video out of my book because I know what would be involved in creating a video that I would be happy with. And literally thousands of people have done just fine with the book alone, even people whose first language is not English, so I'm not persuaded that it would be worth the effort.

It's child's play to put on a Kilt Kamp in comparison to doing either a video or writing a book. I'm not saying that Kilt Kamp logistics are no work at all (Steve and Matt know how much work it is - they've done it twice). But in comparison to doing a book or a video, Kilt Kamp logistics aren't that tough (again - ask Steve - he's been working on a book for several _years_).

So, Kilt Kamp logistics aren't the issue - it's really everyone's time. I would have been happy to do it here in NY except that I ran out of available weeks this summer. Too many commitments to my own research, research students, and grant work, none of which I can let slide. And I could do several Kilt Kamps a year in the time it would take me to do decent video......!

And, I would be pretty unhappy if someone else turned my book into a video....

[Chas]

I was up in Dumfries last month with Steve and Bobby. I learnt more about kilt basting and about the construction of a kilt in half an hour than any amount or reading and watching videos could teach me. Has anyone really got fit from a get fit video? You need a real person to shout over your shoulder "when I say push, I mean PUSH!". Without it, close enough will be good enough.

Regards

Chas

[raibeart_dubh]

I was up in Dumfries last month with Steve and Bobby. I learnt more about kilt basting and about the construction of a kilt in half an hour than any amount or reading and watching videos could teach me. Has anyone really got fit from a get fit video? You need a real person to shout over your shoulder "when I say push, I mean PUSH!". Without it, close enough will be good enough.

Regards

Chas

Good point!

[Kiltman]

Good point!

Dido!

[Iain Robb]

Since I sm just finishing up two videos -- one promotional, one ashort story -- working with professionals, I second Barb's comments. It is expensive and time-consuming to do video well.

That said, perhaps there is room for brief You-tube-ish spots on particular segments of kiltmaking. Sometimes it helps to actually see what is meant.

[The Wizard of BC]

I thought that my book "The Art of Contemporary Kiltmaking" would and could be done as a DVD instructional sort of thing.

That is until I checked into the actual cost of Cameraman, Sound guy, Film editor, and production costs.

To give you an example. The little short "How to measure for your Freedom Kilt" that is posted on GoogleVideo and linked on my website and in the FK section of the forum cost me almost $600.00. That's $200.00 a min. or $12,000.00 an hour.

I don't know anyone with a spare $100,000.00 that they would be willing to let me have for no interest and no return.

But hey, if someone in the film or video business wanted to come to my shop and shoot and edit the DVD I'd be willing to give it a go.