Because we’ve never really been offered a clear-cut definition of what exactly Integrated Media 1 is “all about” (and yes, I do understand why), I find myself always trying to connect the dots myself.

Basically, my understanding is that we’re trying to grasp the changing nature of online media; information is increasingly visualised and captured through screen cultures, rather than simply being transcribed. So, really what I’m trying to articulate is that information online is no longer purely conveyed through text and static images, and that videos are increasingly making themselves prominent in the online sphere.

Below an excerpt from the post from Slashfilm that prompted this blog entry:

Even here on Slashfilm, the ease of shooting video has made things more visual. Interviews are regularly being shot with our iPhones instead of simply recording and transcribing because the visual element, hopefully, makes you feel like you’re part of the conversation. YouTube sees this immersion going even further, though, as they’ve begun to roll out an option that’ll turn any video uploaded in 1080p into 3D.

I’m not going to comment on the 3D thing because, personally, I think it’s ridiculous (although I’m sure there was a time when people thought that about online video culture, too), but Slashfilm have offered an interesting justification for their inclusion of video interviews: it’s for the consumer. I find it interesting to consider this move towards video culture online as a purely humanising move – making the machine more relatable to the user by literally showing them it’s humans behind the content.

The way I see it, IM1 is (partly) about understanding the importance of portable filmmaking and its increasing prominence in the network. Not only understanding its importance, but also understanding how we can use this medium effectively, and how we can utilise it to our own needs effectively.

Just thinkin’ online.