Are the Videofreex truly an independent media?
Discuss how you think they revolutionized television, and how they started a media movement that you are now enjoying today with your smart phone videos and social media. And how have they influenced our study of social broadcasting?
When I first watch this documentary, I felt like I was taken back only 5 years but it was in fact decades back when this took place. If I were to encapsulate this, I would say that this is the revolution of what is now social broadcasting coupled with the advancement in technology afforded to the masses, not forgetting creativity, allowed for this to make history.
For many years, people have been constantly making our world smaller, closer. Transport, traditional media, telephone, you name it all. The World, did become smaller indeed. The Videofreex came in at a time when there was a plateau. They came in independent with character, passion and spontaneity. I believe this was what made them push through the tumultuous times.
I must say with a huge caution that, in my opinion (and very obvious indeed), that whatever that we do or use, is greatly influenced by companies constantly finding ways to monetise (content) for profit.
As such, when CBS knew about The Videofreex, I would say that although they were intrigued by the refreshing way they approached filming, they were largely driven by the possibility of make more money. Especially when they were playing the same content continuously. They had to give the viewers something different for them to stay on board the game train, amongst their competitors.
On to the ‘freex. I felt that they were pioneers in their own right, where they dared to be different and captured social issues that were relatable to them – in a “RAW”, #truejournalism style that was not seen in the industry at that point in time. In this aspect, they were revolutionary. Even after being approached by CBS, they pushed to stick to what they believed in and filmed (mostly) in how they usually would, like a #guerilla way which allowed for the truest form of human expression to be recorded.
The ‘freex essentially ustilised two notions – mobility to the masses and freedom of expression through creativity.
However, there was always this question about whether they were truly a free form of expression. The Fred Hampton saga proved otherwise and it was only after this period where The Videofreex became truly free. They were running back on their own again and this time, they had themselves their very own supporters with them. This, I think was more revolutionary than the notion of social broadcasting. It was significant of the beginning of SOCIAL BROADCASTING.
Above all else, what The Videofreex had them going was being able to the interaction between the consumers and the medium used. What ticked for them even more was that they covered a lot of social demonstrations/issues which were relatable, because it was presented as real, uncut, uncensored. In their own respect, they were able to capture the true emotions of the people on the ground when mainstream media couldn’t at that time.
And because the ‘freex kickstarted this way earlier than their time, it allowed for societies to advance deeper into the social media age seamlessly. I wouldn’t give them all the credit but I would say that they definitely propelled it. Do not forget, if not for the release of the Sony Portapak, this would have happened so early.
All of these allowed us to have something we can compare and contrast with when it comes to the digital age and the beginning of the social media age. But I must say, we haven’t really advanced from when the videofreex first started all these. Only technology did. Freedom of expression was pretty much of the same status as it was back then.