Video cameras in class

[1911-A1]

I've been flipping through some YouTube videos lately and I see that a lot of them are taken at well-known carbine classes. They're usually helmet-mounted or rail mounted GoPros/ContourHDs, etc. Often there is a camera operator hovering over one of the shooters (the host of the "channel" you're watching).

I'm surprised to see it so widespread, considering the environment is usually very controlled with extreme emphasis on safety. If I were an instructor, the last thing I'd tolerate would be students distracted by cameras, either personal or manned. Half the time I'm distracted enough worrying if the guy next to me is going to muzzle-sweep me again.

To me, a class isn't about getting good footage or YouTube hits, it's about setting your ego aside and absorbing and applying information. Considering that some people rely on hits to generate income, I wouldn't be surprised to see their behavior altered in certain ways to ensure compelling content. I'm a professional camera operator, and I know very well how differently people act when there's a lens on them. I also know that when you're filming, you have a mental timeline of the story you're trying to tell so that you can ensure that you get the shots you need. That's yet another thing detracting from the shooter's ability to absorb and apply.

Does anyone else have thoughts or experiences with this? Maybe I'm making something out of nothing here.

[_Stormin_]

For the You Tube channel type, I can see the camera being a distraction. For many people I would think that the camera serves to get an A/V record of what they were told, and how they ran the drill. I compare it to sports in school. Play on Saturday, film on Sunday.


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[jwfuhrman]

I compare it to sports in school. Play on Saturday, film on Sunday.

Exactly, it is for personal use and review so you can continue to run the same drills later on. There is a Costa Carbine 1 course in May next year that I'm hoping to be able to use my countourHD on a hat mount. I have 2 16gig memory cards and I plan on turning the camera on and leaving it on once we hit the range.

[G_M]

As far as video camera's go I usually don't see anything but there are always professional photographers that are there to take pictures for the company or magazine articles. I've seen a few people try to run goPro's while they were shooting and they generally ditch the idea because it gets in their way. Some instructors seem to tolerate iPhone videos for note taking purposes but that seems to be in the minority. All media related things are actually taken care of at the beginning of classes I've been to or people are just smart enough to know what is appropriate or not.

[ST911]

With the proliferation of these body cams, two types seem to be in possession of them most frequently: The dedicated student, tracking performance in pursuit of improvement and diligence; and the hey-look-at-me type that races to write the first AAR for the internet or update his youtube channel.

The former is no bother to class. The latter can compromise learning, safety, or OPSEC as we all trip over his clown shoes. Instructors should make their expectations clear as to what sorts of video and photo work is permitted. If not clear going in, it should be a topic of discussion at the outset to make sure everyone is on the same page and okay with intentionally or potentially being recorded.

I'd like to hear the opinions and policies of the guys running classes who are personally, professionally, and financially invested in their work product.

[SeriousStudent]

Personally, I am not really thrilled with showing up on somebody's Wall of Fame without being specifically asked.

Like Skintop911 says, I have zero problems with the fellow striving for self-improvement. But if he's publicly posting videos with my mugshot, I want him to either blur me out, or make damn sure I'm not in the shot. I'm no sneaky camo dood, but he needs to secure permission from everybody if he does that. Not just the instructor.

[Rattlehead]

Whenever I take photo's (not video) of classes I make it a point to ask everyone that is attending if it is okay with them having their photo's on the internet. If it's not - then they are left alone, or Photoshopped out later.

Also - if there are students who are trying to "show off" for the camera, then they are left alone as well. It's worth noting that I've only noticed this type of behavior once or twice. Most that are there are there to learn and do not dick around trying to look cool.

[AKDoug]

At the classes I have taken (four Redback One courses), I have specifically been told to not photograph, video, or audio record anything in the class. The instructor had an approved photographer for each of those classes for promotional and advertising uses in the future. I would not want fellow students running around with video cameras.

[Surf]

No matter what, the "open course" training circuit is still a business which have clients and those clients have certain desires. While video can be distracting, it also has some real value for the student. If were being real, for many people, courses are a rare opportunity and they want the memories to take home, share and perhaps post on youtube. For others it can be a legitimate tool for self remediation down the line and a video log of drills etc....I know many have clauses in the contract for the course, so it would be a balancing act of sorts. Keeping all the clientele happy.

One thing I will ABSOLUTELY comment on, is that MANY "open enrollment courses" have FAR too low of an instructor to student ratio, with FAR too little personalized attention given to each student. Some seem like a total, here are some cool drills, shoot a bunch of rounds orgasm. So if an individual finds that the camera is their best source for instruction or source of remediation obtained from a course, then IMO there is an issue with personal attention given to the student and this happens WAY too often.

[antlad]

I'm editing about 100 gigs of video I took at a recent class with a go pro. Most of the footage is useless because the waterproof case drowned out the audio but there is some really good stuff that will come in handy for personal reference and my own entertainment. I do not plan on posting footage on YouTube out of respect of the other students even though they were cool with it. I may post some footage here if it can be helpful to others but I will blur faces, once I figure out how to do it. I'm currently using windows movie maker but I'm not sure if it is capable of blocking out faces.
Once I have it all out together I will send a copy to the instructor and he can do what he pleases with it.


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