(If you’d rather watch and listen to me talk about this, video is here.)
Hey, kids! Grandpa Halcyon here.
I posted my 1st Burning Man photo essay in 1998. And my first video in 2001. My efforts were crude, but there wasn’t much available online at the time. I felt a responsibility to share the magic that changed my life…but also conflicted because I knew it needed to be protected, too.
Today, there are over 15 million results for “Burning Man” on YouTube.
Most of them are AWESOME!
Face it, BRC is a goldmine for epic footage.
You can put a GoPro on a pole and capture magic.
So, since you are making such amazing stuff, let’s take it to the next level…
2 Requests:
I have 2 important requests for everyone making videos. (Or a message for you to pass on to people who make videos.)
1) Avoid falling into the “Best Party! Hottest People!” genre.
If you are a newbie, it is easy to be distracted by “RAVES & BOOBIES!” It is tempting to be seduced by the people that fall into the “traditionally beautiful” category. If you are a pro, you are probably conditioned by clients to make your product as sexy as possible. Consider that your client is the entire Burning Man community. Show everyone’s sexy.
Try to balance your coverage with the deeply beautiful people who might not fit “magazine cover” standards. And show more of the city than Robot Heart at sunrise. Burning Man is a city of Radical Inclusion, and when you make a video where most the people look like European models, it feeds into the bad “Coachella in the Desert” stereotypes. (If you think Black Rock City *is* Coachella in the desert, then I urge you to deepen your experience and allow the less-flamboyant magic of the city to touch your spirit and change your life. Then share *those* things.)
2) Mention the 10 Principles!
Trying to capture Burning Man without mentioning the 10 Principles is like doing a photo shoot of your girlfriend and not including her face. Or introducing your girlfriend to your family but not letting her talk. If you don’t yet understand why the 10 Principles are what makes the magic possible, then study up. Way too many people arrive in Black Rock City thinking it is a “party for their bucket list.” The misunderstandings of what is happening in the Burning Man culture is partially due to two-dimensional “boobs and bass” videos. Don’t be a part of the demise of something great.
It would be ideal to show examples of Gifting or talk about the Principles. At the very least, mention the 10 Principles and link to the official blog (or my Tips & Tricks Videos) in your Description. (You can even do that with existing videos in the descriptions and comments!) Let your art be a GIFT for the community and help us all with the acculturation process.
3) Bonus: Credit the Art.
If you are blown away by the 10 minutes you spent enjoying and capturing a piece of art, think about the 10 months of labor and immense expense that artist or team put into it. It would be so cool if we started to feature the art and artists on pedestals as much as we feature go-go dancers on top of speakers. (Nothing wrong with hot people dancing on top of platforms! I used to be one of those people, sonny-boy! We just need balance.
P.S. There are MANY great examples of videos who are doing the things I suggest. Please recommend good ones in comments!
I am not an employee of Burning man. Just an enthusiastic Participant, like you. Check out all of my Tips & Tricks videos like #31 “Gifting” and #16 “Rangers”
Several people have responded that I shouldn’t tell people how to create their art. Agree! These are Just a few requests in the name of acculturation. (Kinda like requesting people don’t wear feathers.) Follow your heart.
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Thank you so much for featuring carefactornil’s newest video! I discovered his work with “Flawless (Go To The City)” – it was filmed in a year I wasn’t able to attend, and the amount of joy I saw in those few moments brought me to tears. I always seek out his newest vid, and hope I’ll get to be in one eventually.
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Aw, thanks! Glad you enjoy them. I’ve always loved the diversity of people at BM and it’s never really occurred to me to do anything with these videos than showcase that. And they’re such a great way to meet burners and give them a memento of their burn. And I hope you get to be in one too, I’ll let you know when I’m coming back and we can sort it out. X
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I love your videos…thank you.
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Thank you, Russ!!
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As always, you have great ideas and suggestions! Here is a video I shot back in 2012 (my second trip home). I was thinking at the time, I did not include enough dancers on speakers – I’m feeling much better about my video! It even has footage of a wedding I shot at BM )'(.
Here it is! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8-SwBStJAY&t=17s
Lots of pink hugs to you my friend! <3
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Here is one more I videoed about extreme conditions DJing on the Playa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VLc8CKgP88
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I love the Playa most of all the people The diversity of people From the California dreamers to the Swiss cheese international Mama’s To the Goddesses of the playa U make my trip to the desert so sweet
My heart is open & it always leave full with love.
Love your video Take me home
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I hope your light continues to shine and reflect off everyone it touches in a positive way. I hope to see you in 2018 in the dust.
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See you at home, Robbie! ((HUG))
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Thank you for helping guide video artists to tell stories portraying the depth and breadth of our city beyond what the general public thinks of it.
For shining examples on YouTube check out the Burning Man channel and search for Profiles In Dust.
Dustin
Volunteer Manager, Documentation Team
Burning Man Education Department
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I would also suggest that I like seeing the Working Man part documented. So much of Burning Man is working to create the city & the art but looking at videos and photo galleries you’d think it all popped up one day like Athena from her papa’s head. People shy away from the parts that don’t seem ‘sexy’ but it’s all sexy.
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Yes, Samson! Mark Day’s videos and “Profiles in Dust” are awesome ones to check out.
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Amen to all of this. Especially “Trying to capture Burning Man without mentioning the 10 Principles is like doing a photo shoot of your girlfriend and not including her face. Or introducing your girlfriend to your family but not letting her talk.”
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Thank you, Megan!!
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