The world of video is a vast and wondrous place, full of moments that have shaped our culture and understanding of the world. The "Dance Dance Revolution" video game, released in 1998, revolutionized the way we interact with music and dance.
Some of the most important videos ever made have had a lasting impact on our collective consciousness. The "Earthrise" footage, captured in 1968, was the first time humans saw the Earth from space, changing our perspective forever.
These videos have the power to inspire, educate, and even influence our behavior. The "PewDiePie" YouTube video, posted in 2013, became the most viewed video of all time, showcasing the power of online communities.
From documentaries to music videos, the most important videos have left an indelible mark on our society.
The History of Video
The first video ever made was shot on film in 1888 by French inventor Louis Le Prince, and it's considered the earliest surviving motion picture. It's called The Roundhay Garden Scene and is only two seconds long.
This short film was shot at 12 frames per second and features four people dancing around in a garden. It's much clearer than some other videos from that time period, which suggests Le Prince's camera technology was ahead of its time.
The Roundhay Garden Scene is a significant milestone in the history of video, and its legacy will outlive us all.
Important Videos
Video has become a preferred method of learning for new generations, with YouTube being a go-to source for educational content with nearly 5 billion video views every day.
Today's learners are accustomed to video learning, making it an effective mainstream format for training in the workplace. This shift towards video learning has led to the development of effective training videos, such as those created by Flint, a learning and content development partner for global ICT service providers.
The power of video can be seen in its ability to make complex topics more accessible and engaging, as seen in the vast array of educational videos on YouTube.
Me at the Zoo
Me at the Zoo is a historical artifact and the first video ever uploaded to YouTube, posted by founder Jawed Karim on April 23, 2005. It's just an 18-second video of Jawed describing a couple of elephants.
The video is awkward-looking and might not be the most entertaining, but its significance cannot be overstated. It was the start of something big, marking the beginning of the largest video sharing site in history.
This humble video was uploaded when YouTube was still in its infancy, and its founders had no idea it would become a massive platform with over 300 hours of video uploaded every minute. Little did they know, this video would pave the way for a $1.6 billion sale to Google just a year later.
The Zapruder Film
The Zapruder Film is widely regarded as the most famous 26 seconds in film history. It was shot by Abraham Zapruder with an 8mm color film using a Bell & Howell home-movie camera.
The film captured the moment John F. Kennedy was assassinated, an event that has many gaps and is shrouded in speculation. Witness inconsistencies and deaths contributed to a wide variety of conspiracies.
The Zapruder film is an 8mm color film that is just 26 seconds long.
Patterson Bigfoot Film
The Patterson Bigfoot Film is one of the most debated videos in history, shot in 1967 in Bluff Creek, California. This footage has been extensively studied, but its authenticity remains a topic of discussion.
It was allegedly taken by Roger Patterson, and its uniqueness lies in the fact that it hasn't been surpassed by other Bigfoot videos or photos since then. The video's depth of study is unmatched, leaving many questions unanswered.
The film's authenticity has been questioned, with some suggesting it's a man in a monkey suit. Others believe it could be a massive cryptozoological icon that has evaded scientific explanation.
Kony 2012
Kony 2012 was a video that launched a massive social media campaign with over 100 million views.
The video aimed to rally viewers against guerilla leader Joseph Kony, but a U.S.-based social media campaign alone wasn't enough to take down a very real African warlord.
This campaign proved that YouTube can be used to get people really excited about an idea, but it also showed the limitations of social media in achieving real-world change.
The Kony 2012 campaign was a notable example of how social media can be leveraged to raise awareness about important issues.
Today's Learners Expect Video
Today's learners expect video. With nearly 5 billion video views every day on YouTube, it's clear that video has become the go-to source for learning new skills.
People turn to video for everyday tasks, from baking recipes to learning a language. It's no surprise that training videos have become the preferred method of learning for new generations.
The brain processes videos 60,000 times faster than text, making video a much more effective way to learn. This is because our brains respond better to audio-visual stimuli than to text and static images alone.
Research shows that learners remember 65% of visual content, making video a powerful tool for retention and understanding. This is especially true when interactive elements, such as annotations and quizzes, are incorporated into the video.
Interactive training videos have substantially more positive learning results than non-interactive ones, giving learners control over their learning pace and making learning more convenient.
Ok Go's "Here It Goes Again"
Ok Go's "Here It Goes Again" was a viral sensation on YouTube back in 2009. The music video, featuring four band members on treadmills, showcased the platform's potential to make music videos relevant again.
The video was posted in February 2009 and went on to make a big impact. It's worth noting that Ok Go didn't have any other big hits, but this video helped put them on the map.
The video's remarkable coordination and use of treadmills caught people's attention and helped it spread like wildfire. It's a great example of how a well-made music video can make a big splash on YouTube.
Ok Go's "Here It Goes Again" was one of the first music videos to go viral on YouTube, paving the way for future hits like Miley Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball" and Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda".
YouTube Milestones
YouTube was founded on February 14th, 2005 by three former PayPal employees—Steve Chen, Chad Hurley and Jawed Karim.
YouTube was acquired the next year by Google for $1.65 billion. This marked a significant turning point for the video-sharing site, propelling it to become the Internet's third-most popular website.
YouTube will celebrate its 10th birthday this weekend.
Captions and Accessibility
Captions increase video viewing by 80%. This means that by adding captions, you can significantly boost engagement and watch time of your videos.
56% of all videos posted on social media are less than 2 minutes long, which is a blink of an eye in the digital marketing world.
Captions not only ensure that all viewers can follow along with what is being said, but they also help increase viewer attention and make viewers more likely to watch the video in its entirety.
Adding captions to videos helps viewers consume content regardless of the video's audio quality, making it a game-changer for videos recorded in noisy environments.
The Future of Video
Virtual reality is expected to revolutionize the way we consume video content, with 71% of consumers saying they would be more likely to engage with a brand's video content if it was presented in a VR format.
As VR technology improves, we can expect to see more immersive and interactive video experiences, such as 360-degree videos and live streaming.
The rise of social media has also changed the way we watch video, with 85% of Facebook users watching videos on the platform every day.
Video content is becoming increasingly important for businesses, with 85% of businesses saying they use video as a marketing tool.
The future of video will likely be shaped by advancements in technologies such as artificial intelligence, which can help personalize video content for individual viewers.
Music and Entertainment
Michael Jackson's Thriller is one of the most successful music videos ever, with over 700 million views on YouTube, despite being released over 20 years before the platform was founded.
The video's influence on pop culture was immense, creating a market for VHS sales and transforming music video direction into its own art form. It also broke down racial barriers in the entertainment industry.
The iconic music video has had a lasting impact, with the jacket Michael Jackson wore selling for $1.8 million in 2011. Its impact on pop culture continues to be felt today.
Music videos have become a crucial part of a single's release, with artists competing to create the most shocking or compelling content to get substantial views on platforms like YouTube.
The Birth of Modern Music
Michael Jackson's Thriller is one of the most successful music videos ever, sending ripples through American culture.
It single-handedly created a market for VHS sales, with audiences wanting to watch the video on their own time.
The video's influence on pop culture was immense, pushing it above and beyond expectations.
It transformed music video direction into its own art form and broke down racial barriers in the entertainment industry.
The video's jacket sold for $1.8 million in 2011, a testament to its enduring iconic status.
Despite being released over 20 years before YouTube was founded, Thriller has racked up over 700 million views on the platform.
The Future of Music
Music is evolving to meet the changing habits of consumers. Shorter and snappier content is what people want, and that's exactly what they'll get.
Artists will be creating videos specifically for platforms like Instagram, Tik Tok, and Spotify. This shift is driven by the growing popularity of social media.
We can expect to see a range of content on various platforms, rather than just YouTube. This means music will be more accessible than ever.
Spotify is already making efforts to capitalize on this trend by creating video content of their own. This is a clear indication of the music industry's adaptability.
Artists will be signing partnerships with social media platforms to gain traction with their communities. This will be a key strategy for getting their music in front of new audiences.
Music Videos
Music videos have become an essential part of the music industry, with over 700 million views on YouTube alone, thanks to iconic videos like Michael Jackson's Thriller.
The video revolutionized music video direction, transforming it into an art form and breaking down racial barriers in the entertainment industry.
Music videos have also become a platform for artists to showcase their creativity and style, with some music videos selling for millions of dollars, like the jacket Michael Jackson wore in Thriller, which sold for $1.8 million in 2011.
Artists are constantly trying to make the most shocking or compelling music video to get substantial views, with some music videos becoming more important than the song content itself.
However, with the rise of social media, music videos are becoming shorter and snappier, with a focus on Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms.
Spotify is even creating video content of its own, but music videos won't decline in popularity, with artists expected to sign partnerships with social media platforms to gain traction with these communities.
Music videos tell a story, as director Casey Teniakova explains, and it's not just about someone singing a song, but a story of many people and characters coming together through music.
In fact, music videos can be created from zero to little money, as shown by young director in Prague, who emphasizes that the story is the most important thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who made the important videos playlist?
Eddie Jolton, also known as eljolto, created the popular "Important videos" playlist on YouTube. This playlist, with over 600 million views, features 301 publicly available videos.
What are some really good YouTube videos?
Some of the most iconic and entertaining YouTube videos include "Charlie Bit My Finger", "Evolution of Dance", and "Here It Goes Again", which showcase hilarious and memorable moments. These viral sensations have become cultural phenomena and are a great starting point for discovering more engaging content on the platform.
Sources
- https://zubtitle.com/blog/3-reasons-why-adding-captions-to-videos-is-important
- https://clockwork9.com/blog/creative/the-most-influential-videos-of-all-time/
- https://flint-international.com/insights/knowledge/why-are-training-videos-so-important/
- https://observer.com/2015/02/the-10-most-important-videos-in-youtube-history/
- https://youthtimemag.com/why-are-music-videos-so-important/
Featured Images: pexels.com