13 Things about "I See What You're Saying"

"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille!"

On Tuesday, I took part in a video blogging meme called "I See What You're Saying." The idea: videotape yourself for your blog, so that others can actually see you in action and thus get to know you a little better.

You can scroll down to see my video, if you like.

The meme was a lot of fun. After visiting most of the sites that took part, I came up with some observations and even learned some things. Here are 13 things about "I See What You're Saying":

1. Most of us were WAY too hard on ourselves. I can't count the number of participants who said derogatory things about themselves either in the actual video or in their related post: "Are my nostrils really that big?" "I look like a dork!" "I need to go on a diet..."

Believe me, I noticed some things about myself that I had never noticed in a mirror...but I kept them to myself. No need pointing out and thus further emphasizing it! (However, I have to say that some of the participants made their self-criticisms truly funny.)

2. Some of the participants were obvious "naturals." --Apparently, behaving comfortably, naturally and photogenically is an innate gift for some people. Like Gayle of The Westie Crew. Her video was charmingly unaffected and fun.

3. Why was I so uncomfortable on camera, given the fact that I'm used to being recorded? Linda of 2nd Cup of Coffee, who sponsored the meme, commented: "I'm surprised you felt the awkwardness that the rest of us felt because you're used to being taped, per se, right?"

Well Linda, yes, I'm used to having my VOICE recorded. I've heard the sound of my own voice more times than I could ever begin to count. But SEEING yourself on tape is a whole different animal. I felt extraordinarily self-conscious, more than I ever would working with audio.

4. I loved the wide array of accents. And the kids and pets were funny and cute additions.

5. By and large, the younger women seemed more comfortable on camera than did the older women. Could it be because they've been raised with video-cameras in a way we older women never were?

6. One of my favorite videos was this one from "His Girl," who took the problem of failed takes and made it funny and charming.

7. If there were prizes for creativity, one of them would have to go to this one from Chatty Kelly.

8. And another would have to go to this one by Sue J.

9. A frustrating aspect of this meme? Discovering a host of wonderful blogs that I will now have to check out regularly--where will I find the time?! On the flip side? It makes me happy to know there are so many wonderful people out there...restores my faith in human nature a bit.

10. Kelly's background as a TV producer no doubt helped make her video really good--enjoyable and professional, like a mini-travelogue.

11. Things I learned:--a)Pay attention to lighting...it really makes a difference. My first take was in my basement study, and--eeesh, we won't talk about it. b) A little extra make-up is probably a good idea. c)SMILE! I wish I had smiled more on my own video...and I will next time!

12. Most of the best ones were relatively short...we have short attention spans!

13. The exception to number 12? The video of the hostess herself, Linda, whose video was a tour de force! It really let us get to know this lovely and funny lady. By the way, Linda's post today is a "de-briefing" of the meme. I took a peek at it before I finished my own, and (great minds, etc) we cover some of the same points!

Anyway, thanks, Linda, for hosting such a fun bloggy event.

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