Video Diaries

Video diary-based projects add depth and diversity of perspective to ethnographic and documentary films. The individuals who keep the diaries are usually respondents who are taking part in market or social research projects. I provide them with small, handheld camcorders and, following guidelines from the research team, they film their daily lives for anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks. The respondents may record video diary entries to camera, interviews with family and friends, or take their cameras out into their communities and act as 'roaming reporters'. Examples are available here.

Working with my clients, I edit down the footage into a compelling and insightful final film. I've made many videos entirely from diary footage, although video diaries are often combined with traditionally filmed footage to provide an alternative viewpoint. Video diaries have also figured in corporate videos I've made, usually acting as testimonials or illustrations of what it is like living with or using a particular product or service.

I've made over 40 video diary films. They allow an audience to literally see into the daily lives of the diarists without intruding and altering behaviour. Of course, you not only see their actions and hear their words, but also take in their expression and posture, their volume, tone and rhythm of speech; you get the full, emotive picture. The diarists themselves are given an active voice; they are engaged and able to 'tell it how it is' directly drawing from their own past and present experiences. They are also in charge, and able to follow their own thoughts at their own pace, in comfortable environments and without pressure from others. Finally, the end viewer, be they researchers, end clients or the public, is brought face-to-face with the demographic they are interested in. The respondents are brought to life as real people; debriefs and reports are illustrated and planted firmly in real world.

I provide a full service for the production of video diary films: camcorder rental (which includes specifically made, illustrated user guides); coordination of camcorder packs to and from diarists; editing (including consultation with my clients at every stage of the edit); and delivery of the final video on DVD or as a digital file. I'm personally available to my clients at all times via phone and email, and am able to be very flexible with how I work; I have often hand-delivered DVDs to my clients' offices when deadlines have changed at the last minute!

Please take a look at my example videos, and call me if you would like more information.