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Actors will always have a role to play.  But real people are the most influential in the world of online video content.

Everything you have heard about social media applies here.  More authentic.  Real.  About sharing real stuff.

Well, the people we interviewed for this series about Alzheimer’s disease are the ultimate representatives of that philosophy.  Their experiences with a dreadful disease are rich and deep.   They were willing to share their stories to help others.  Fictional programs like Gray’s Anatomy will always make people feel something, but in my opinion, it is a superficial glow compared to a story from a real person.

Watch Jim talk about  being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at just 58 years old.   Sandra talks about conflict with her own mother before they had a proper diagnosis.  Jane talks about her father’s denial.  And Sybil about her close friend.

These are the stories that will mean something in the online video space.  Sure, they might not compete with the latest water skiing pet, or dorm room prank.  But what I’m most interested in as a producer is something that can affect someone.   Help someone rather than just making them laugh.  A gag is an easy way to get attention, and there’s an appetite for that, but let’s not get lazy about storytelling, and producing content that is meaningful.  We just have to work harder to flag that content for people who can benefit, especially for a demographic that is not as tech-obsessed.

So feel free to share the links to friends, parents or grandparents dealing with memory issues, or just questions.

In the coming weeks, I’ll add some more posts about our video production techniques on this project.  How did we get that low angle dolly shot on the “Coping with Denial’ piece?  Stay tuned.

Mike Edgell

www.mikeedgell.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/OnMemoryCanada

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