My main issue with this piece is that now I really want to watch these vids, but it's 630am in New Zealand, I don't want to wake my partner or the cat up by blasting sound and it's too bloody cold to get out of bed to get my head phones. Very problematic David.
Ahh I was the exact same Rachel! Temptation got the better of me though and I relocated to the lounge with the cat. Thoroughly enjoyed this piece and all of the videos!
Leaving those pauses is a skill I learned at uni when I was becoming a teacher. I learned it as “thinktime” because it was allowing students to sort out their thoughts.
Good article David. I was cringing at the mention of Jordan Peterson and Alex Jones as I I'd already concluded that JP was confused and slippery, particularly in regard to his religiosity, while Jones was simply evil, intellectually weak and sociopathic. 1964 US Supreme Court decision clarified 1st Amendment (Free Speech)
right to exclude wilfully false defamation. NZ also has laws that discourage "us" from saying what we want, e.g. standing outside a school with a sign extolling the joys of man-boy love. It's just too offensive and likely to provoke violence - and that is the law.
Thanks Graham. I admired JP until I saw that he was running amok with (my) reality. I consider that he has worsened since his organic health problems were fixed.
The "brief look at JP" is 2 hrs 55ins!! I'd better tuck in.
Great article. Also good to see you on NZ TV tonight - Seven Sharp’s Friday countdown caught you trying to sort out the pronunciation of “carked it” to provide the correct meaning for an American comedian - he was personally obsessed with “cock tit” or similar
You tried very hard. Once he got cock in his head there was no removing it! Lol
What’s your take on Uffindel and the bullying incidents? Looking forward to your caustic comments on that one. There will be lots of “me toos” I think. Imagine having that arsehole in your class at school or worse still in your flat!!
It's weird, noticed DOI videos started popping up in my YouTube recommendations yesterday, and I added the street racing one to my watch later queue. Was involved in that type of thing years ago.
And then I get this email the next day.
Is it just a coincidence, or did the algorithm get a helpful push? Conspiracy!
When the internet does stuff like this it always gives me the creeps. It's nearly alway coincidence but it's fun to toy with the alternatives from time to time...
Warning: Random POV that probably entirely misses the point.
I'd like to mention the Waiwera video specifically. Interesting content, and I will follow these guys from now on, but I couldn't help but notice the editing of the interviews. The jump cuts were very distracting, and my cynical mind always wonders what words have been cut out, and would they significantly alter the story if they were left in, or is the editing done just to expedite the messaging, which remains accurate. I have this trouble whenever I'm watching any documentary. To what degree does the film maker have a responsibility to represent their subject's words as accurately as possible (unless clearly chopping them up for satirical purposes much like I assume Guy Williams does in his show New Zealand Today)? Hmm, if only I could leave a comment on the post of a documentary maker and ask him if I'm absolutely making too much of this and should just STFU and enjoy the content.
I'd say this is mainly a style done for comedic effect - and also to get through the content.
It's very reminiscent of Channel 5, and the way editing it being done now thanks to the aesthetic of Instagram and TikTok and shorter form video.
At first it did my head in (I am old) - but increasingly this style of cutting, once you get used to it, can be a lot of fun.
It's less about being unethical (like, I don't think DOI is setting out to make people say something different to what the entirety of the interview said, for example) and more about the timing and pace.
And also - I kind of find these jump cuts *more* honest. The traditional way to cut through interviews is to overlay the talking heads with other images, so you don't ever notice it's happening!
This is how most of the editing in my stuff is done.
But yeah - it's jarring as heck and just a very different, more gonzo approach to it all. Rough around the edges. And something you will either love or hate!
Such exciting work! And the comment from John Campbell "He told us to start speaking to people actually affected by issues rather than the people who say they represent them" is the change in approach that is so required in NZ to get something that even remotely represents balance. We hear too much about the opinions of our journalists. Occasionally ill listen to talkback radio just to see whats going on and its just the Mike's and Leias briefly listening and then "correcting" guests opinions to fit their narrative. What lazy, dangerous broadcasting. Why do we let them put their own opinions on pedestals all the time? Its so predictable and boring and unhelpful.
With Department of Information its all going to be about maintaining their core values and motivations as they get bigger and ultimately scale up. Adding extra team members, allowing for financial elements and the influence that is necessary with this. It could potentially be worth setting out now what their values are and where they collectively agree some lines should be drawn around editing level, content and addition of their own voices in final edit. From there commit to 6 monthly checkins on this so that they know they are either still aligning, or if change is needed they are doing that consciously and together.
So much hope though. What an awesome team and content.
Glad you dug it. And you hit the nail on the head - it's great just seeing people in the scene talking about it. Not some politician or expert or academic.
There is certainly room to go to experts - God's eye view, perhaps more objective.
But that should not be our default, as JC said. He is so about getting out with the people - especially in South Auckland etc.
While Mike Hosking just spouts bullshit from his comfy studio.
Agreed. I often hear Newstalk ZB playing in the background at my parents house (who are in their 70s). The amount of time on the Mike H and HdPA shows devoted to advertising is horrendous, and as you say the bullying-type of interviewing really grates. It was once a great news-radio station with 1ZB but it has morphed into a right wing echo chamber and half the listeners haven’t even realised.
John Campbell earned my enduring respect for refusing to "move on" during all the post earthquake nonsense in Chch, when much of the rest of the country (and its politicians) just thought "Meh." Insurance issues, EQC incompetence and downright scandalous behaviour from officialdom were all relentlessly confronted and challenged.
Well, now I know what I'm watching when I get home from work.
I'm actually considering a move to NZ at the moment and while I don't feel like I'm completely rose-tinged glasses, seeing more stuff like this is always interesting and helpful.
Definitely think they’ve hit the nail on the head in terms of who current journalism and broadcast media are appealing (intentionally or not) to. I’ve always thought New Zealand is quite narrow in this respect and actually tuned out of lots of broadcast media throughout the lockdown period. I love the style of journalism The Department of Information uses, and what you do here with Webworm, because it offers something different to the formal, laced up reporting that generally makes up mainstream media in New Zealand - different perspectives and approaches, covering subjects and topics I maybe wouldn’t think too much about in my everyday life, and nails the sweet spot of information and entertainment. Great stuff.
My main issue with this piece is that now I really want to watch these vids, but it's 630am in New Zealand, I don't want to wake my partner or the cat up by blasting sound and it's too bloody cold to get out of bed to get my head phones. Very problematic David.
Great article :)
What was the main priority - husband, or cat?
Well, it's taken a long 4 months to coax the cat onto the bed... So if I'm totally honest cat comfort took priority.
Ahh I was the exact same Rachel! Temptation got the better of me though and I relocated to the lounge with the cat. Thoroughly enjoyed this piece and all of the videos!
Leaving those pauses is a skill I learned at uni when I was becoming a teacher. I learned it as “thinktime” because it was allowing students to sort out their thoughts.
Yes. Catholic priests were (once?) taught to speak slowly as it gave them more time to think and choose their words. I'll leave it at that.
Good article David. I was cringing at the mention of Jordan Peterson and Alex Jones as I I'd already concluded that JP was confused and slippery, particularly in regard to his religiosity, while Jones was simply evil, intellectually weak and sociopathic. 1964 US Supreme Court decision clarified 1st Amendment (Free Speech)
right to exclude wilfully false defamation. NZ also has laws that discourage "us" from saying what we want, e.g. standing outside a school with a sign extolling the joys of man-boy love. It's just too offensive and likely to provoke violence - and that is the law.
I can highly recommend this video for brilliantly dissecting exactly how Jordan Peterson’s schtick works, just don’t check the timestamp
https://youtu.be/hSNWkRw53Jo
Thanks Graham. I admired JP until I saw that he was running amok with (my) reality. I consider that he has worsened since his organic health problems were fixed.
The "brief look at JP" is 2 hrs 55ins!! I'd better tuck in.
Thank you for introducing me to the dept of information.
ditto
Pleasure.
That Louis Theroux/Jason Deroulo (sp?) video loveably cringeful. Could it be Jason Deroulo doesn't take himself as seriously as he appears to?
Good on them I reckon.
Thank you for an amazing insight into courageous creativity - an example of thought diversity.
Your curiosity is waht keeps me engaged!
Keep being curious RG
Great article. Also good to see you on NZ TV tonight - Seven Sharp’s Friday countdown caught you trying to sort out the pronunciation of “carked it” to provide the correct meaning for an American comedian - he was personally obsessed with “cock tit” or similar
Oh, how funny. Yes - apparently repeating the word with an increasingly rolled "R" does not help very much.
You tried very hard. Once he got cock in his head there was no removing it! Lol
What’s your take on Uffindel and the bullying incidents? Looking forward to your caustic comments on that one. There will be lots of “me toos” I think. Imagine having that arsehole in your class at school or worse still in your flat!!
It's weird, noticed DOI videos started popping up in my YouTube recommendations yesterday, and I added the street racing one to my watch later queue. Was involved in that type of thing years ago.
And then I get this email the next day.
Is it just a coincidence, or did the algorithm get a helpful push? Conspiracy!
When the internet does stuff like this it always gives me the creeps. It's nearly alway coincidence but it's fun to toy with the alternatives from time to time...
"There are no coincidences..."
Warning: Random POV that probably entirely misses the point.
I'd like to mention the Waiwera video specifically. Interesting content, and I will follow these guys from now on, but I couldn't help but notice the editing of the interviews. The jump cuts were very distracting, and my cynical mind always wonders what words have been cut out, and would they significantly alter the story if they were left in, or is the editing done just to expedite the messaging, which remains accurate. I have this trouble whenever I'm watching any documentary. To what degree does the film maker have a responsibility to represent their subject's words as accurately as possible (unless clearly chopping them up for satirical purposes much like I assume Guy Williams does in his show New Zealand Today)? Hmm, if only I could leave a comment on the post of a documentary maker and ask him if I'm absolutely making too much of this and should just STFU and enjoy the content.
I'd say this is mainly a style done for comedic effect - and also to get through the content.
It's very reminiscent of Channel 5, and the way editing it being done now thanks to the aesthetic of Instagram and TikTok and shorter form video.
At first it did my head in (I am old) - but increasingly this style of cutting, once you get used to it, can be a lot of fun.
It's less about being unethical (like, I don't think DOI is setting out to make people say something different to what the entirety of the interview said, for example) and more about the timing and pace.
And also - I kind of find these jump cuts *more* honest. The traditional way to cut through interviews is to overlay the talking heads with other images, so you don't ever notice it's happening!
This is how most of the editing in my stuff is done.
But yeah - it's jarring as heck and just a very different, more gonzo approach to it all. Rough around the edges. And something you will either love or hate!
Such exciting work! And the comment from John Campbell "He told us to start speaking to people actually affected by issues rather than the people who say they represent them" is the change in approach that is so required in NZ to get something that even remotely represents balance. We hear too much about the opinions of our journalists. Occasionally ill listen to talkback radio just to see whats going on and its just the Mike's and Leias briefly listening and then "correcting" guests opinions to fit their narrative. What lazy, dangerous broadcasting. Why do we let them put their own opinions on pedestals all the time? Its so predictable and boring and unhelpful.
With Department of Information its all going to be about maintaining their core values and motivations as they get bigger and ultimately scale up. Adding extra team members, allowing for financial elements and the influence that is necessary with this. It could potentially be worth setting out now what their values are and where they collectively agree some lines should be drawn around editing level, content and addition of their own voices in final edit. From there commit to 6 monthly checkins on this so that they know they are either still aligning, or if change is needed they are doing that consciously and together.
So much hope though. What an awesome team and content.
Thanks for sharing!
Glad you dug it. And you hit the nail on the head - it's great just seeing people in the scene talking about it. Not some politician or expert or academic.
There is certainly room to go to experts - God's eye view, perhaps more objective.
But that should not be our default, as JC said. He is so about getting out with the people - especially in South Auckland etc.
While Mike Hosking just spouts bullshit from his comfy studio.
Agreed. I often hear Newstalk ZB playing in the background at my parents house (who are in their 70s). The amount of time on the Mike H and HdPA shows devoted to advertising is horrendous, and as you say the bullying-type of interviewing really grates. It was once a great news-radio station with 1ZB but it has morphed into a right wing echo chamber and half the listeners haven’t even realised.
John Campbell earned my enduring respect for refusing to "move on" during all the post earthquake nonsense in Chch, when much of the rest of the country (and its politicians) just thought "Meh." Insurance issues, EQC incompetence and downright scandalous behaviour from officialdom were all relentlessly confronted and challenged.
Public service good, right there.
He stuck with that for years. Same with Cave Creek. That is so, so taxing.
He's such a mentor figure in my mind - feel very lucky to have shared a newsroom with him and gotten a lot of advice.
Well, now I know what I'm watching when I get home from work.
I'm actually considering a move to NZ at the moment and while I don't feel like I'm completely rose-tinged glasses, seeing more stuff like this is always interesting and helpful.
This will certainly show you some of the underbelly - good, and bad!
Love it, didn’t know they existed so thanks for spreading awareness !
Channel 5 was such a wild ride, cool to see a group doing something similar in NZ
Channel 5 scares me in how good it is.
Definitely think they’ve hit the nail on the head in terms of who current journalism and broadcast media are appealing (intentionally or not) to. I’ve always thought New Zealand is quite narrow in this respect and actually tuned out of lots of broadcast media throughout the lockdown period. I love the style of journalism The Department of Information uses, and what you do here with Webworm, because it offers something different to the formal, laced up reporting that generally makes up mainstream media in New Zealand - different perspectives and approaches, covering subjects and topics I maybe wouldn’t think too much about in my everyday life, and nails the sweet spot of information and entertainment. Great stuff.
Erin - and thanks for being here and being open to it all! Glad you dug the DOI guys. I will watch their future output with curiosity and wonder!
I chuckled and chortled and guffawed my way through that car video. It was GREAT. "Here's my sub", as they say.
A lot of raw kiwi coming out in that particular video. A lot.