To video or not to video
I’m going to a meeting soon about a new project which seems to be quite an exciting initiative, and could have implications for lots of similar projects around the country. (I’m trying to anonymise this, so please forgive the vague lack of detail.) It is a project which seems to be making progress in an area where lots of other projects in the country have struggled. Consequently, one of my reasons for wanting to be there, is to try to tell the story of how this project is progressing to encourage others elsewhere and help them find a way forward.
So, I asked if I could film at the meeting. This request was politely refused, the reason being that it was felt that the project was at a sensitive stage and people might be put off from being involved if they thought they would be on camera.
Now, I fully understand this attitude, I used to feel that way myself about being on camera. But, I am also frustrated because I think that video is by far the most effective way of demonstrating how things work. So, why is it that so many people still feel intimidated by being on camera, and what are the best strategies for overcoming their reluctance?
I have always found that people learn best from their peers, and, in the modern age at least, the next best thing from being in the room with your peers, is watching them on video. People’s fear of the camera lens is a real obstacle to effective sharing of best practice.
