Recruting

[Persona non grata]

Does anybody think CAP needs to update and jazz up the recruiting videos on the website?

[Eclipse]

we can always do better, and even the best movie ever made gets dated, but odds are the videos on the NHQ site have very little impact on recruiting.

[FW]

Great videos are nice however, great recruiting begins with a member bringing a like minded friend into CAP.  That, IMO, is still the only good way we grow.  Everything else is just "extra".

[Pylon]

It would be nice, though, while you're doing the face-to-face recruiting efforts at the unit level to have a DVD or even short movies to show.  You know, a high-speed overview of the cadet program at the squadron level.  A high-speed "commercial-style" video about volunteering with CAP as an adult member.   Videos to show at a presentation, squadron open house, or play on loop at a recruiting table at an event/fair/expo/whatever.

[Ozzy]

Well I've been bringing my laptop and been showing pictures of my "travels". It works pretty well because you can actually talk about things you've personally done and that helps get some interest.

I also just received my new recruiting cards from vistaprint That should help.

[meganite]

You mean the ones on the front page of the CAP website? Well, I wouldn't have known about CAP at all if it weren't for a friend in the Air Force who explained its existence and purpose to me, so I'm not sure how useful it was for getting the word out there initially... But clearly they weren't too cheesy to drive me away from the site I think I found better information just browsing the site, but with some remastering, maybe the videos could be a better asset. I remember thinking the videos were a bit low quality, even compared with something you can find on Youtube.

[ElectricPenguin]

Does anybody think CAP needs to update and jazz up the recruiting videos on the website?

this would be a OUTSTANDING video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Weo41Wtx8yg&feature=related

[HGjunkie]

Does anybody think CAP needs to update and jazz up the recruiting videos on the website?

this would be a OUTSTANDING video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Weo41Wtx8yg&feature=related

If it was upscaled to 720p that would be the perfect video.

[DC]

I LOVE that video! Anytime I am asked what CAP is I try to show that video. It's an entertaining and very succinct way to show our history and current missions to an interested person.

Ignore the comments below it though, I think I lost a few brain cells reading them.

[Spaceman3750]

I really like that video, I might try convincing my CC to show it at our banquet this winter.

My only (small) nitpick is the potentially unlicensed use of many of the clips in that video (History Channel footage, etc).

[ElectricPenguin]

I really like that video, I might try convincing my CC to show it at our banquet this winter.

My only (small) nitpick is the potentially unlicensed use of many of the clips in that video (History Channel footage, etc).

I guess, i doubt history channel will care much, I have seen worse on youtube.

[AlphaSigOU]

I guess, i doubt history channel will care much, I have seen worse on youtube.

You'll be surprised, cadet... they DO care. If not History Channel, the original copyright holder might get freaked out over unauthorized or unlicensed use. A small amount may be allowed under 'fair use', but in this litigious society, it doesn't take very long for a lawyer to make an example out of somebody, especially if they have deep pockets.

[JeffDG]

I guess, i doubt history channel will care much, I have seen worse on youtube.

You'll be surprised, cadet... they DO care. If not History Channel, the original copyright holder might get freaked out over unauthorized or unlicensed use. A small amount may be allowed under 'fair use', but in this litigious society, it doesn't take very long for a lawyer to make an example out of somebody, especially if they have deep pockets.

Excellent point.  Copyright is not an area of law you want to mess with.  There are incredibly high potential "statutory damages" that are available to a copyright holder without any need to prove any harm, all they need to establish is infringement.

Youtube and other providers like that have a "safe harbour" provision that they can utilize.  Because they do not control the posting of content, they can ignore it unless someone draws the infringing material to their attention.  Once someone points it out, they take it down very quickly for fear of losing their safe harbour.  Were you to display such a video in another forum, you're personally, and CAP vicariously, is infringing the copyright and you personally, and CAP as a corporation, can be held liable for damages, either actual or statutory.

[Pylon]

Don't forget, permission is needed for the music as well as other people's video footage.


Of course, I also think it's immaterial whether or not The History Channel will find out or whether they choose to pursue these things or not.  Regardless, it's not legit.  We should be striving to set the example. 


There are plenty of opportunities for CAP and members to tape our own footage and use licensed or royalty-free music to make excellent videos.  It may require a little more time and work, but such is the cost of doing things right.

[BillB]

You are assuming that the History Channel shot the original video. Chances are they didn't. Most videos I've seen on CAP were shot by USAF, other production companies or even CAP. Films shot during World War II and no longer covered by copyright. The music is another story and probably still covered by copyright. But there is plenty of music that is in the public domain that could be used.
Getting permission to use visual matter is normally given to a non-profit organization. (the networks coverage of Katrina used by the Red Cross as an example)
Jim Shaw has several old USAF produced films he's transferring to DVD that CAP can use for recruiting videos.

[JeffDG]

Actually, most films shot during WW2 are still copyright protected. 

Works published before 1978 have a lifetime of up to 95 years if the copyright is renewed after 28 years.  So WW2 is still covered by copyrights.

Works after 1978 extend for either 70 years after the death of the creator or 120 years if they are created by a corporation.

[meganite]

Does anybody think CAP needs to update and jazz up the recruiting videos on the website?

this would be a OUTSTANDING video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Weo41Wtx8yg&feature=related

Beautiful. It's so perfectly timed to that stirring music too, unfortunately the music is copyrighted. As is some of the footage... I notice most of you are pointing that out.

For the record, I think any footage shot by the government becomes public domain as soon as it's released to the public. Correct me if I'm wrong.

It also seems to be heavily focused on recruiting cadets. Maybe that's ok, but we want senior members too, right?

[DC]

Does anybody think CAP needs to update and jazz up the recruiting videos on the website?

this would be a OUTSTANDING video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Weo41Wtx8yg&feature=related

Beautiful. It's so perfectly timed to that stirring music too, unfortunately the music is copyrighted. As is some of the footage... I notice most of you are pointing that out.

For the record, I think any footage shot by the government becomes public domain as soon as it's released to the public. Correct me if I'm wrong.

It also seems to be heavily focused on recruiting cadets. Maybe that's ok, but we want senior members too, right?

What makes you say that?

The section on Cadet Programs is obviously aimed in that direction and, but the history/intro part, ES and 9/11 sections seemed pretty neutral.

Most of the Aerospace footage came from the National Flight Academy video, but I think that's fair, the AE part of CAP tends to manifest more on the cadet than senior side anyway.

[meganite]

Well I guess it was just my first impression from seeing all the National Flight Academy footage. Word-wise, it did cover the major aspects of CAP.

In my experience, though, imagery is more powerful than words.