Training with video cameras

[ronin6]

I just wanted to get a feel for this. I, like many of you, keep a journal of classes as well as workouts at home. After reading about the use of Video technologies by Mr Parker I want to know if anyone actively captures thier training sessions via video for review. I think it can be a great tool, but wanted to open things up and get some opinions.

Regards

Chris

[Mikael151]

I'm all for it. I really need to get a camera and start filming my tech's so I can see for myself all the bad habits I need to break, LOL!

[ronin6]

I'm all for it. I really need to get a camera and start filming my tech's so I can see for myself all the bad habits I need to break, LOL!

That is what I'm thinking. Since I'm still at the orange belt level, I wanted to try to get in certian habits and training methods early so that I'll stick with it though my Kenpo journey.

[Arizona Angel]

I think it's a good idea to use the camera often while training because it gets me use to the camera being there, so when it comes time to really perform in front of the camera it's not as intimidating either.

[Mikael151]

I wish I would have filmed myself a long time ago. That way I'd be able to see how differently I move now as compared to then.

[ronin6]

The fiming thing is pretty new for training purposes to me. I have many of my tests through the years, but this would be a new tool for training for me. I also think it could work as a video journal of your progression in the art. I wish I heard of it years ago.

[amylong]

Any time you can get your stuff on video, it's a good thing.

I am going to make it a point to get our techniques on video. I'm pretty good about getting kata over the last year or two, but techniques would be great to see.

The bummer part about video is that when you capture it on video, all your illusions of how cool you look usually vanish.

On the plus side, if you practice with it enough, eventually you will look on the outside as cool as you think you look like in your head.

--Amy

[ronin6]

Many thanks to those that responded. I'm going to pick one up after Christmas. I think it will be a great reference tool as well as a video journal of my progression.

Thanks to all.

Chris

[madeku]

The bummer part about video is that when you capture it on video, all your illusions of how cool you look usually vanish.

On the plus side, if you practice with it enough, eventually you will look on the outside as cool as you think you look like in your head.

--Amy

here here.. lol i already learned from watching my forms on video my posture is a lil off.. shoulders more forward, butt not anchored.. :-\ totally detracts from how badass i thought i looked. :-p

[Sentinel]

Any time you can get your stuff on video, it's a good thing.

I am going to make it a point to get our techniques on video. I'm pretty good about getting kata over the last year or two, but techniques would be great to see.

The bummer part about video is that when you capture it on video, all your illusions of how cool you look usually vanish.

On the plus side, if you practice with it enough, eventually you will look on the outside as cool as you think you look like in your head.

--Amy

Too true. I liken the difference to listening to yourself while you talk versus hearing a voice recording of yourself. I sound like a dork on tape, nothing like I do when I'm talking for *real*.

At my school, the video camera usually finds its way into class when people are unable to grasp something they've been doing wrong. It's one thing to have someone correct your form when you just can't sense the problem, and quite another to see faults in your movements on display from the outside. Video is an incredibly expedient teaching tool.

My instructor likes using video to look back and see how his teaching style has changed over the years. I think he also likes to show us what stupid hairstyles we had. lol

[Richard Baarspul]

I remember the first time I saw myselff on video, it's a real confrontation! I agree wih Amy, when you see yourself on a video your illussions of being good or cool vanish. But to me, that's a good thing because once your over it you'll start working at it, you know, to make it look cool again!
It wasn't untill I filmed myselff, that I really understand what my instructor meant with a couple of his comments and advice on my performance!

Yes, I had some video's of my selff from my early days as a white, yellow or orange belt. Unfortunately the earliest one is from a tournament when I was a green belt.
I started filming myselff occasionaly since I was a brown belt. Once in a while filming your techniques or forms really helps you to improve your form. For me it is a great tool.

I don't use the camera every week, but once in a while to see my progress and to improve my overall form!

Full Salute,

Richard

[ronin6]

I only have them of me testing in Aikido and Iaido. I never used the camera to tape things until I was at a higher level. Since I'm at the orange belt level in EPAK I wanted to start to use it now while I'm still green to the art. I always found something to pick on before, so as I'm now very new I feel I'll find a ton of things to find room to improve...

[Rob Broad]

My first instructor was a professional photographer so we always had access to video, but back then it was also quite cumbersome, the battery packs weight almost 20 lbs, and the camera was the size of a mid sized rocket launcher.

We are now trying to get our hands on an old working Beta VCR so that we can transfer a bunch of footage to dvd. My former instructor found an entire box of tapes we had made back in the 80's.

[ronin6]

My first instructor was a professional photographer so we always had access to video, but back then it was also quite cumbersome, the battery packs weight almost 20 lbs, and the camera was the size of a mid sized rocket launcher.

We are now trying to get our hands on an old working Beta VCR so that we can transfer a bunch of footage to dvd. My former instructor found an entire box of tapes we had made back in the 80's.

I'm in the process of looking for an new camera now. All I do know is to find a stable tripod for it. After that I think I'm going for a small form factor camera. I think I'm sticking with MiniDV.

[sifuroy]

We use a lot of Video. Why? You can tell someone what they are doing wrong,but actually seeing it for themselves makes all the difference. You can't raally tell them how they look. They need to see it for themselves.
Usually one run through of the video stops a bad habit. An excellent tool!!!

I am Most Respectfully,
Sifuroy

[Blindside]

I learn most of my kali through private instruction, and we try to video tape a summary of each lesson. So after two hours of drilling and getting the drill/tech/flow down, we then tape it with our instructor so we have a reference of us doing it correctly. We also tape ourselves sparring so we can see good/bad things going on. Besides, that is just plain fun.

Lamont

[ronin6]

I learn most of my kali through private instruction, and we try to video tape a summary of each lesson. So after two hours of drilling and getting the drill/tech/flow down, we then tape it with our instructor so we have a reference of us doing it correctly. We also tape ourselves sparring so we can see good/bad things going on. Besides, that is just plain fun.

Lamont

Great idea. Muck like yourself I was thinking of using it as a way to catalog training.

[ronin6]

We use a lot of Video. Why? You can tell someone what they are doing wrong,but actually seeing it for themselves makes all the difference. You can't raally tell them how they look. They need to see it for themselves.
Usually one run through of the video stops a bad habit. An excellent tool!!!

I am Most Respectfully,
Sifuroy

Very true. This was a big factor in me looking at taping myself. Since I have the 25 plus years in martial arts taking up a new art at this point is difficult. My body does something differnt then what my mind tells it. I felt watching myself would be a great way to visually help to correct my movements.