The annoying trend of phones at concerts

FIX

Regular readers of this site know I am an avid concert-goer. I am at a live music performance at least every other week (gotta leave some time for stand-up comedy and pro wrestling).

By far one of the worst recent trends at concerts is the increasing inclination of concert goers to stick their phones in the air and attempt to record performances.

There is one and only one reason people do this: so they can upload them to YouTube and hope the rest of the fanbase sees their work. I guess they feel they have to put the videos out there for the advancement of the fanbase and maybe the advancement of their ego.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with taking a picture of a concert. Although there are professionals that do that better, a self-taken picture at a unique angle makes a nice memento. But taking a picture doesn't last long and the phone or camera is usually back below eye level in a moment or two.

Completely recording performances, on the other hand, has to stop. It is incredibly annoying and serves no purpose.

None.

Take a look at the following videos. Same song, same concert. The first was taken by RockScene.com. The second by some person in the audience.



Pretty professional, no? Sounded good, good view of the whole stage, and not obstructed at all.

Now watch video 2.



Not very good at all. Limited view of the stage. Can't get a view of the performance. Sound is worse. And everyone around also has their phone in the air trying to take video. The other phones are cannibalizing the video.

What is the point of everyone trying to take a video of a concert? Do we really need 500 different YouTube videos of the same song? Do these people really not trust that the performance will be recorded and uploaded by someone who can get a good shot or good location?

Perhaps the people who want a recording can volunteer one person to record the show. That person would bring an HD camera to the show, set up, and record. Then, after the show, they would upload the video to YouTube. If people want to make sure they see it, they can put their email address or phone number on a list and the uploader will ensure the person requesting gets a link.

Sounds ridiculous, right? But so is the plague of recording concerts with phones. Unfortunately, knowing our society's need to video or take photos of everything, I don't think it will ever go away.

Unless Glenn Danzig does something about it.

Weekly Book Update #10

Wow. I haven't done a book update in a while. Not much has changed, to be honest. The novel is still in draft form. I have however sent pitch letters to six agents on April 13. So I guess that is news. I received one rejection letter so far. I will probably wait another week or so before sending a pitch letter to six more agents. I figured doing six every three weeks should increase my odds of hearing from someone.

Then I have to send a sample - most likely the first 30-50 pages. Then the agent has to like that enough to represent me to a publisher. Then the publisher has to read it and mold it into a final publishable version. So we have a ways to go.

But I guess I have taken one small step.

This week's link of inspiration comes from the Co.Create blog by Fast Company. They interviewed best-selling author James Patterson and asked what advice he would give beginning writers and storytellers.

His advice:

• Write Stories the Way People Tell Them


• Make It An Experience


• Short Chapters Keep People Reading


• It Doesn't Have to Be Realistic


• Outline Like Your Book Depends On It


• Be Open To Changes During the Writing


• Write With Confidence, Even If You Don't Feel Confident Yet


• Know Who You Are Writing For And What They Want

I like to think I did that with my novel. At least I hope so.