They say necessity is the mother of invention. Nothing proves this adage more than the pandemic. COVID has driven innovation out of necessity and video applications are helping us remain connected, productive, and healthy. This has been possible in large part to network connectivity, the digital devices that we interface with, and the software that powers them. Today’s blog is a look at how nearly everybody, from children to the elderly, has embraced video during the pandemic.
Art & Culture
Most people can easily remember the last live event they attended. It may not have seemed especially significant at the time, but since such events haven’t happened for a year, it’s hard not to look back with nostalgia. We’re all missing the energy of attending an event with other people, so we’re doing our best to recreate that feeling with the help of video during the pandemic. And if you choose to record the live event, you can enjoy it more than once or even use it to critique a performance.
Live reads are events bringing people together virtually. From community theatre to children’s books, people are joining in to watch and participate. One celebrity is using video during the pandemic by reading bedtime stories and movie scripts. Josh Gad has many tv and movie credits, including the voice of Olaf from the Frozen movies. His Story Time really leans into the goofiness that kids love in a good narrator. As a father of two, Gad recognizes the need to find some novel ways to entertain youngsters during the pandemic. Gad is using the video platforms on Twitter and Instagram for his tales.
Much to the delight of movie fans, Gad has also done some film revivals. The actor participated in a virtual live read of The Princess Bride as a fundraiser for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. This reading took place last September and drew together actors from the 1987 film via Webcam. Viewers were asked to donate at least one dollar to get access to the feed. Gad wasn’t part of the original cast, but he filled in for the deceased André René Roussimoff (André the Giant), who played Fezzik. Another great example of an inclusive event made possible by video.
Health & Wellness
Have you had an appointment with your doctor since the start of the pandemic? Many people have been scared to visit a medical office during COVID. For many physicians, video during the pandemic has been an excellent way to continue seeing patients. Assessing a medical issue via video is quick and easy, with the opportunity for an in-office follow-up if necessary. Prior to COVID-19, only 5-15% of primary care was addressed over the phone, and a measly 3% was done by video conference. Now, about 65% of visits are done virtually. Telehealth and virtual care can also take less time out of a patient’s schedule and eliminate the need to deal with childcare and transportation to the doctor’s office. It also means a lack of exposure to a crowded waiting room during COVID.
Entertain Me
I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all turned to video during the pandemic as a source of entertainment. The various streaming services have been getting a workout as people spend more time at home. Besides looking to video for passive entertainment, people are also searching for ways to engage with others from a safe distance. Groups are participating in game nights, trivia contests, and virtual escape rooms. And there are plenty of user-created videos filling up social media. Consider the explosion of TikTok. Videos made for challenges, tutorials, and social awareness, along with a whole bunch of posts that defy description.
Education
If you have school-age children, you undoubtedly know about remote learning. But that’s not the only video-based instruction people are using during the pandemic. There’s also the art class your mother took, the fitness class you join every Tuesday night, and the cooking seminars your neighbour attends. This kind of learning may take a little more preparation, but you can still get a lot of the same benefits as you would in-person. So gather your ingredients and supplies, set aside some time, and log on.
Making Connections
If we’ve learned one thing in the last year, it’s the ability to adapt. Clearly, the companies that will survive have learned how to change their business models. At Key West Video, we’ve figured out ways to continue working with clients through the pandemic. We’re inspired by the innovation and quick decision making we’ve seen for 12 full months now. Yes, it will be a relief to get back to a way of working that’s more familiar and less restrictive. But we also recognize that video during the pandemic is an undeniably great resource for engagement.
