The Lincoln Awards for Best Videos
Ladies and gentleman, Happy Holidays! I'm unveiling my first ever "videos of the year list". And what's a great awards show without the well-known name? If you were wondering, it comes from the famous Lincoln quote:
"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my ax and one watching videos on YouTube."
Here are the categories for 2012:
To be clear, they don't have to be new this year, just ones that I've watched for the first time in the last 12 months. All videos also come with instructions. These will help you get the most of the viewing experience.
Most Unappreciated Video - Orphan Eyes - Mi Hogar, Home Sweet Home
British Oddity Video of the Year - The Way of the Bells
A short ethnographic film about bell ringers of the UK. It's just so properly British. I can't watch it without my heart filling with warmth and cultural love.
How to Watch
Poetry Video of the Year - Sarah Kay - If I should have a daughter
I'm such a sucker for beauty. And poetry, especially spoken word poetry delivered by captivating speakers makes life a little brighter. Thank you Josh Cleary for showing me the light. This last only for about the first four minutes of the video.
How to Watch:
A close second is Shake the Dust, by Anis Mojgani: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qDtHdloK44
Music Video of the Year - Antwon - Helicopter (warning: explicit language)
This video is simple, beautiful, and straight up gangster:
How to Watch
Inspirational Video of the Year - Adora Svitak - Learning from Kids
Now, this isn't traditional "inspiration". But it's an invitation to think differently, rediscover the joys of youth, and learn a lot from a 10 year old.
How to Watch
Cheesy Inspirational Video of the Year - How Great I Am
I'm not an unconditional lover of inspirational sports movies, but I've been known to "Remember the Titans" a time or two, if you know what I mean. So I present to you, a montage of some of the greatest lines from those movies, mixed with inspirational sports figures. Yes, goosebumps be a coming.
How to Watch
Ladies and gentleman, Happy Holidays! I'm unveiling my first ever "videos of the year list". And what's a great awards show without the well-known name? If you were wondering, it comes from the famous Lincoln quote:
"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my ax and one watching videos on YouTube."
Here are the categories for 2012:
- Most-Unappreciated Video (#starthome)
- Best British Oddity Video
- Best Poetry Video
- Best Music Video
- Best Inspirational Video
- Best Cheesy Inspirational Video
- Best Gay Marriage Video
- Best Overall Video
To be clear, they don't have to be new this year, just ones that I've watched for the first time in the last 12 months. All videos also come with instructions. These will help you get the most of the viewing experience.
Most Unappreciated Video - Orphan Eyes - Mi Hogar, Home Sweet Home
All I can say is, why isn't this a viral sensation? It has a cheesy saxophone melody, stellar cinematography and some of the best slow motion I've seen in years. The three keys to great videos!
Really though, I want you to take some action taken and popularize the most unappreciated video of the year. If you love it (and you are going to), tweet #starthome with a link to this video or my blog, or share it with that hashtag on facebook (or both). Notice the connection to #stopkony? Well, yes, we are trying to make someone famous. These guys.
Currently it has 1,950 views on YouTube. Want to try and hit 10,000 by Tuesday? Maybe a 100,000 by New Years? Well, it's worth a try.
How to Watch
- Go into a forest with your favorite instrument and pretend to play it along with the music.
Seriously. Wasn't that amazing? My favorite part is 2:50. #starthome.
British Oddity Video of the Year - The Way of the Bells
A short ethnographic film about bell ringers of the UK. It's just so properly British. I can't watch it without my heart filling with warmth and cultural love.
How to Watch
- Quickly sign up* for your nearest bell-ringing group. (*May need to move to the UK)
- Grab some tissues. It's a tear-jerker.
Poetry Video of the Year - Sarah Kay - If I should have a daughter
I'm such a sucker for beauty. And poetry, especially spoken word poetry delivered by captivating speakers makes life a little brighter. Thank you Josh Cleary for showing me the light. This last only for about the first four minutes of the video.
How to Watch:
- Get out a note pad and a pencil. You are about to learn how to be a great parent.
A close second is Shake the Dust, by Anis Mojgani: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qDtHdloK44
Music Video of the Year - Antwon - Helicopter (warning: explicit language)
This video is simple, beautiful, and straight up gangster:
How to Watch
- Grab a stack of pancakes and pour Sriracha sauce and Olde English on them just like Antwon.
- Pause the video when Antwon and his posse are chilling on the apartment steps and appreciate their superb ethnic diversity.
Inspirational Video of the Year - Adora Svitak - Learning from Kids
Now, this isn't traditional "inspiration". But it's an invitation to think differently, rediscover the joys of youth, and learn a lot from a 10 year old.
How to Watch
- Try not to feel too bad that you weren't speaking at international conferences at the age of 10.
- Listen to what state she is from... And if kids from there are like this, imagine how cool kids from Oregon are!
Cheesy Inspirational Video of the Year - How Great I Am
I'm not an unconditional lover of inspirational sports movies, but I've been known to "Remember the Titans" a time or two, if you know what I mean. So I present to you, a montage of some of the greatest lines from those movies, mixed with inspirational sports figures. Yes, goosebumps be a coming.
How to Watch
- Set your running shoes out for the morning. You'll be a training fiend by the end.
- Grab a bottle of arsenic and drink every time they feature a female athlete (hint, you'll survive, and the lack of such figures is a travesty)
Best Same-Sex Marriage Videos of the Year - John Corvino
I really want to thank Emily Lindgren for sharing these videos with me after I posted the Gay Marriage blog. They are just gems! Here's one on the definition of marriage.
How to Watch
- Keep on for the after-credits joke. There's one in each video in the series.
- Post some YouTube comments about the video! I've heard it's a good place to have reasonable discussions about the issues....
Best Video Of the Year- Sir Ken Robinson - Changing Education Paradigms
How can I decide the video of the year; humor, significance, my own person reaction? Well, I've decided to go with all three. Why is it the best video of the year? I want to make the subject of this talk my life's work. So, I think that's reason enough. Also, it's extremely meaningful, funny, and engaging.
How to Watch
How to Watch
- Remove and fold, placing them nearby. They'd be blown off anyway.
- Graduate school before watching. Otherwise, you might be encouraged to doubt the system. (Or change it.)
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Thank you for joining me for the Lincoln Video Awards. In fact, I enjoyed compiling these so much that I might just have to make it a Holiday Tradition. Have a wonderful Holiday Season, Merry Christmas, and look out for my next blog on New Years Resolutions as we near the 1st. Oh, and #starthome.
Thank you for joining me for the Lincoln Video Awards. In fact, I enjoyed compiling these so much that I might just have to make it a Holiday Tradition. Have a wonderful Holiday Season, Merry Christmas, and look out for my next blog on New Years Resolutions as we near the 1st. Oh, and #starthome.
Much love from the UK,
Kurt
