[Imc-finance] Local input about SA request. (Victoria IMC)

[ted]

Ya... so I passed the request along to our local collective.

Most of us realized (debate time had passed).

Also, most of us realize that the Network is full of intellegent people.
(they sent me as leasion)  ..

---------  Any ways ------------

Our local group can up with these thoughts.

It relates well to the

 things we've been talking about.

---------------------------- ted... ---------------------


My own feeling on equipment requests is that IMCs need to priorize to equip.
a largest number of  street reporters, rather than going for rich media.

This would mean working a lot further down the media food chain. Here are the
equipment priorities I would recommend for an IMC heading into a major event
or conflict situation:

1. BOX. An IMC server, preferably NOT in the action zone. Out of the
jurisdiction entirely is good.

2. TEXT. Multiple positions in and near the action zone for text postings.
Internet cafe's, schools, home systems in dispersed locations. Running
text-only action reports with near real-time updates is the single most
powerful use of the IMC media form. Remember QC and Seattle?

3. CLOSE-PHOTO. The cheapest digital cameras available, and lots of them. Some
of the new digitals cost only $50 US, and are near-microscopic in size. 10 of
these is a far better investment for an IMC than a single pro-quality digital,
because the visual field of engagement will be far broader with 10 cameras on
the front lines, rather than one.

4. AUDIO. Again cheap digital is better than good digital, because you can buy
more units. If you anticipate interviews -- rather than the ambient sound of
clubs and guns -- go for tape recorders with several computers available for
digitizing, rather than expensive but faster mini-discs. However, if time is
of the essence, mini-discs win out.

5. LONG-PHOTO. A high-res 5-10x zoom digital camera can hang back and catch
the overview of the action that will be missed by the close cameras. These are
expensive, so they should be kept back from the front lines.

6. VIDEO. DV is the lowest priority on an action/event media list. Video
cameras have a limited POV, and are expensive high-profile targets for
police and security.

Following these priorities, a media equipment request for the same budget
would have looked more like this:

- 20 web access accounts/internet cafe expenses/etc.
- 10 digital cameras
- 6 tape recorders
- 2 audio digitizing boards
- 2 mini-dics recorders
- MDs and cassettes

This would have essentially meant writing-off video and long-camera work in
favour of front-line reporting.

Anyway -- to caveat all of this opinion - I realize that the Jo'burg
collective might have already covered the low-end media, and been ready to
shoot a great documentary video, if only they had a camera... With IMCs,
one size does not fit all!

Ted, feel free to take these opinions for what they are worth, pass them
along or set them aside, as you see fit.

Solidarity!


----------  Ok...  that comes from the Victoria IMC ----------