Thinking about the future

February 10, 2007 | Filed Under Blog 

Given the relative success of the podcast so far, Nicole and I decided to put a little more money into the show. The first major upgrade we needed was our video lighting setup. I should take some pictures of it because its hilarious. I had two Home Depot tripod halogen lights that I would shine on white foam-core presentation boards from Office Max. It would take me around 5-10 minutes to set up for each “scene”. Trying to do that 10-15 times per shoot gets really old, really fast. So we picked up a couple of 1000w light boxes that cast a really pleasant shadowless light that can be easily moved from shot to shot. So you should see a huge improvement in overall quality as the podcasts continue. And now, making the podcasts while in the middle of my regular projects is much safer and less time-consuming.

The other future-related topic is possible DVD production. Obviously, I can only go into so much detail in the podcast format. So a DVD would allow me to go into much more detail in a much more organized fashion. The real question is, what’s the topic?. I might set up a survey soon with some of our DVD ideas so that people can vote. I would really like to know what everyone wants to see. And the joy of this medium is the fact that its interactive. You see my videos no more than a week or two after I complete them, so most of what we do here is real-time. And if I get a lot of requests for a particular topic, you can bet I will cover it. But for now, I think I would like to produce two DVDs. One will be a compilation of Wood Whisperer episodes with some extra features. Lots of folks have trouble getting the videos and it would be nice to make them available. The second DVD would most likely be a project. That way I can cover details on the numerous techniques required to build one of my original pieces. Nicole wants me to design a new coffee table, so maybe that would make a good DVD topic.

Well, just thinking out loud at this point. Thanks for listening.

Comments

11 Responses to “Thinking about the future”

  1. Ryan Smythe on February 10th, 2007 7:47 pm

    Hey Marc

    I am sure the improvements you guys have made will be worth it. i think the shows are great and look forward to seeing them every week. A dvd will be a great idea. Whatever the topic is i am sure you will make it worth while watching.

    Anyway you and Nicole keep up the good work.

    Ryan.

  2. Greg Watson on February 10th, 2007 9:35 pm

    Hey Marc;

    Great ideas, the survey, compilation DVD and a project one too. I would like to vote for a project that incorporates M&T joints. Say some thing with long sides like a craftman style bed frame,(What do you think about that Nicole)as they seem to be the challenge for me. (or perhaps I am just lazy and looking for a safer, precise and faster method, I seem to be a bit sloppy when it comes to layout) I would like to see some emphasis on the design side of the work too. Heck if it was good enough for Frank Lloyd Wright then its got to be good enough for me EH? Anyway just my two cents worth.

    Keep it up. I think it is great. In fact I am trying to talk my boat building buddy to make our own vblog about the next boat we build. This is totally inspired by you. “The misadventures of Doug and Gregs’ boat building
    experiments”

    Cheers Greg

  3. David Pruett on February 11th, 2007 4:00 am

    Marc -

    You and Nicle do an awesome job. Looking forward to how your next video will look with the new lighting system. It is always exiting to check in to your website and see a new videi waiting to be watched! Thanks again for all the hardwork.

  4. Sharath on February 11th, 2007 6:15 am

    Good idea Marc and Nicole. I personally thought that the clarity of the video was good enough. But now, realising what a pain it is to set every scene up, I am sure the extra equipment will make things easier.

    A great target audience for the DVD could be noobies. I think there are so many newbies out there who cannot afford the luxury of a course / 1-0-1 teaching for woodworking as a hobby. Resorting to DVDs where the master actually shows them how it is done, is a great accelerator to their (or our ?) learning curve. e.g. the topic of sharpening - where on earth does one start ? Power tools - Which ones do I buy ? Do I really need a LN plane ? Covering the basics and “leading” or “referring” to specific books / sites for further info would be great.

    You could also then have demo sesions of some very important tools / machinery like the Bandsaw, router, planer jointer etc. This would be a great help and a fanstastic alternative to those ove£priced DVDs out in the market.

    Just sharing my suggestions with you.

  5. Gary on February 11th, 2007 8:20 am

    Congrats on the new lights - your life will be much easier doing setups!

    How about doing a DVD on a Morris style glider chair. That would get us M&T, numerous joints and even some tips on finishing. Oh - even some tips on picking out quartersawn wood.

    Just an idea.

  6. Darrell Thorpe on February 11th, 2007 9:05 am

    The DVD production sounds great.I have learned a lot watching your podcasts.
    You add a little more information on the smaller details that the other woodworking shows seem to overlook,can’t be bothered,or don’t think important to include.I’m looking forward to being able to purchase DVDs of yours in the future.Keep up the good work and Regards to Nicole.
    Darrell

  7. Bitty on February 11th, 2007 9:13 am

    I think a DVD is a great idea, and I’ll be one of the first in line for a copy. You don’t see education with levity done well very often, and you guys nail it.

    As far as content is concerned, two things come to mind that I’d like to see.

    - The obligatory project video, only really in-depth. I don’t care if it lasts two hours, I like to see the detail. Why did you decide on that particular joint? Why did you use that particular tool to cut it? It’s always the half-second clip of someone making a particular cut or setting up a clamping job or something that gives me that eureka moment.

    - An entire episode just on one particular subject. An example (previously stated) would be mortise & tenon joinery, going from very basic to complex.

    Thanks for all your hard work, looking forward to the first release.

  8. Mark Lathrope on February 11th, 2007 3:39 pm

    Hey Marc. Thanks for all the podcasts so far, you and Nicole really keep me entertained and informed on woodworking topics while I am sitting in airports and planes traveling around the country. :)

    I would buy several DVD’s of whatever topic you choose. The coffee table for Nicole sounds good, my other favorite project that I had a heck of a time with was a blanket chest. Getting boxes square (or rectangle :> ) is a challenge for me, but I would LOVE to be able to build blanket and hope chests that are square and cedar lined without getting my blood pressure up too much. So any advice in these areas would be welcome also. :)

    Thanks!
    Mark

  9. Tim on February 11th, 2007 7:26 pm

    You should keep your podcast as they are. Than with your DVD’s do a major project from start to finish. Would give you a chance to hit a lot of the basics for the noobs yet get into the nitty gritty for those of us with some experience. Otherwise keep up the good work, show keeps on getting better all the time!

  10. Travis on February 12th, 2007 10:50 am

    My vote is to keep the podcasts going. I like the level of depth you are able to cover- such as with your refinishing series. With something like a DVD- I might want to build my own bed, but if I don’t want to build the type of bed you’re building I’m not going to buy a DVD on it.

    As far as doing a woodworking 101 type thing, I think it’s tired and already covered in every medium possible. I want to know techniques and methods for how to complete medium to difficult projects.

  11. thewoodwhisperer on February 12th, 2007 10:56 am

    Thanks for all the suggestions guys! This helps a lot. Now we just need to pencil some time in for the filming and we will be good to go!

    Marc

Got something to say?





  • What's New???

  • Check this out!!

    Loading the LumberJocks Widget

  • Extra Reading

  • Google


  • SuTree Videos

    Find free how-to videos
Close
E-mail It