The falling price of video technology
I’m prepping for my talks at Willowcreek in April and I did some research on the falling prices of video editing software. I’m convinced that the falling price of non-linear video editing software has absolutely changed the game of how we teach. From my notes:
a. In 1990, the first affordable video editing software/hardware solution, the Video Toaster, was offered for the Commodore Amiga 2000 for the shockingly low price of $1499. (In the eighties only studios like Lucas-film had this stuff!
b. Today a consumer version of Adobe Premiere Elements sells for $79, Avid’s Pinnacle Studio Plus 11 sells for $99
c. Microsoft offers a simplified version of Movie Maker for free on certain versions of Windows.
The affordable video editing software has led to the proliferation of high quality curriculums that center around DVD pieces. A few months ago I wrote a piece of Children’s Ministry magazine about the dangers of the DVD pieces crowding out the relational strength of our ministry. But on the flip side, we had the opportunity to become more visual in our presentations, faster-paced, and edgy. That’s a good thing.
Borrowing a line from the book Principles of Interactive Excellence we should evaluate this next-gen curriculum not on it’s production value, but by its ability to spark conversation.
Hey Larry –
I’m thrilled that you are part of the Conspire Conference – and can’t wait to hear your talk!
Amy
good thought about ability to spark conversations.
fyi to all the CM peeps – the saddleback all-stars team is reinventing itself on the video curriculum. they are posting clips on their website pretty often now. i like the philosophy steve adams is bringing to the ministry and i think it’s something to keep your eye on.
Steve Adam’s is now the CP at Saddleback?
Great observations, Larry! Sparking conversation makes the USE of technology a barometer of it’s value. Techies often become so innured with the stuff itself that they hinder rather than forward good connections. I love what a child said once he saw a new toy and asked, “what does it do?” which to me is precisely the value any technology brings us.
steve is now the CMP at saddleback = yes. he’s been there since late summer.
I actually got to work on a Video Toaster back in the day. Wow, that thing was slow!