I've seen the future of news gathering--and it's not pretty. Actually, it's pretty embarrassing. That's me festooned in probably $15,000 worth of technology. And not a cent spent on style. So help us caption this picture. Take your best shot in the comments.
First, some background: A small team (well, two) from Microsoft accompanied us to Bay St. Louis last week to capture 360-degree video of the devastation. They practically invented the technology. And to our knowledge, this will be the first time it's even been used in news. The resulting movie is something akin to the panoramic photo at the top of this page, only moving video in every direction. For the most part, they strapped the shiny red cylindrical camera to the roof of their rental car and roamed the neighborhoods. But cars can't venture inside obliterated buildings or drive down a beach littered with debris. That's were I, the human tripod (or is it bipod?), came in.
A screen capture of unwrapped 360-degree video shot along the beach in Bay St. Louis, Miss. The horizon bends when the camera person's head isn't level. (Image: Ashley Wells / MSNBC.com)
In case you're interested in this high-tech Halloween costume, here's what you need:
1 skydiving helmet with camera mount on top. Carbon fiber is the hot look this season. And don't forget the chin strap. That's key.
1 Ladybug 'spherical digital video camera' complete with six cameras. Only available in red, like a ladybug. Get it?
2 'storage units' for that camera, each packing four 40GB hard drives. Bonus feature: Their heat output can keep a RV warm all night.
1 backpack to hold said storage units.
2 optical link cables connecting the camera to the storage units. Sexier when taped down the back of the helmet.
1 separate camera to record audio, presumably of your tour guide. Even more fun when a 4-foot wire tethers you to that tour guide.
1 tricked out Acer Ferrari laptop, also in carbon fiber. Hey, it's an accessory. But unlike a purse, it can't be closed, at least not while recording. So sashay while holding it upright and open. Totally completes the look.
I suited up in cyborg gear to shoot a few guided tours in the area, one through the dilapidated, and allegedly haunted, county courthouse; another through the wreckage of the city attorney’s home; and one walking down a beach with the director of the local historical society. No one beat me up or even laughed. When there are boats in trees, this getup doesn't look so strange.
MSNBC.com's Ashley Wells takes a guided tour along the beach with Charles Gray, executive director of Bay St. Louis' historical society. (photo: Rick Welsh / Microsoft MapPoint)
But it was awkward. Clearly, I'm no bio-engineered camera stand. The trick is to walk with your subject while holding your head steady and level. You can't look down, even when you step in sewage runoff. You can't let your subject get more than three feet away, either, because of the microphone cord tether. Like Fletch, I was 6-foot; 6-8 with the helmet and camera. So you also have to duck very gradually under some doorways. Imagine walking like this through your living room after pushing everything you own onto the floor. That's what it's like inside these homes, if a living room exists at all.
If it seems I'm making light of all of this, I'm just trying to own the embarrassment from the goofy getup. The situation itself is very serious. This technology will help us show the unimaginable scope of destruction in ways that other images just can't communicate. That's key to truly understanding this story. With any luck, we'll have these 360-degree video tours up on this site in the next few weeks, so please check back often. Now, about that caption ...
My fashionable idea
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TELETUBIES LIVE
BOB KENTON MANCHESTER, CT (Sent Nov 10, 2005 11:11:21 AM)
If the light turns on, run!
Tasha Moore, Huntsville, Alabama (Sent Nov 10, 2005 11:18:48 AM)
Take me to your leader!
Marsha Blackburn, Raleigh, NC (Sent Nov 10, 2005 11:26:27 AM)
Fashion police officer, Joe King, hits the streets looking to arrest poorly dressed citizens in St. Louis.
Jude Barman, Las Vegas Nevada (Sent Nov 10, 2005 11:39:11 AM)
Caption for above photo: "Scotty? Can you hear me now?"
karen sagebiel dallas texas (Sent Nov 10, 2005 11:40:38 AM)
My first thought for a caption: "Buzz Lightyear goes to college." Great idea for capturing a story!
Sylvia Moody, Costa Mesa, CA (Sent Nov 10, 2005 12:32:41 PM)
"Has Hat, Likes to Travel"
Lisa D, Brooks, Georgia (Sent Nov 10, 2005 12:43:03 PM)
Next year McDonalds will introduce a new concept in fast food. This mobile restaurant will walk up to your car, take your order and the produce your meal via the replicator in his backpack.
dstod (Sent Nov 10, 2005 1:14:16 PM)
Russian Space travel has come a long way!!
Tony, Los Angeles (Sent Nov 10, 2005 1:19:42 PM)
"AV nerds of the future...with a fancy hat!"
Your boss must love directing you. If he or she ever asks you to try out a shark suit just say no! HA...cool pic.
Kari, Seattle, WA (Sent Nov 10, 2005 1:42:21 PM)
After hours of shopping for this online I found one with a FREE chin strap. However the drool cup was extra.
Mark, Eagle River,Wi (Sent Nov 10, 2005 1:45:11 PM)
The new panorama-cam for the hardwired hero. Comic book companies will be leaving you messages and strangers will want your autograph. A "must have" for the christmas wish list that lends new meaning to the phrase "I've seen it all".
Tracy Eng, Fryeburg, Maine (Sent Nov 10, 2005 2:12:45 PM)
"And they said I couldn't be a Rocket Scientist!"
Kristen, Yutan, Nebraska (Sent Nov 10, 2005 2:48:01 PM)
I think that look went out back with the band DEVO ... "Crack That Whip" "hip it Good!!"
Jonathan, Indianapolis, Indiana (Sent Nov 10, 2005 2:50:31 PM)
"It wasn't what I had expected, but with my new internet accountability suite installed I bravely marched forth..."
Scott, Detroit, Michigan (Sent Nov 10, 2005 3:55:02 PM)
"UNBORROWED VISION" "AND THAT'S ALL I NEED" It's heartwarming to see everyone working together and having a sence of humor." I've wrecked one too many police cars" Three captions
Theresa Loder Sarasota,Florida (Sent Nov 10, 2005 4:08:27 PM)
Mississippi Coast on the rebound. TeleTubby 2005 arrives.
Gerry McOsker, St. Louis, Missouri (Sent Nov 10, 2005 4:30:58 PM)
"Chick Magnet"
George Applegate, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Nov 10, 2005 5:35:31 PM)
My mom made me wear this.
Cheryl Stonestreet (Sent Nov 10, 2005 5:36:38 PM)
That is the weridest look I have eversaw. But I think that it will do th ejob. So keep it up.
Kayla, Harrison, ID (Sent Nov 10, 2005 5:46:17 PM)
captain dipwad to the rescue!!!
bob blossom (Sent Nov 10, 2005 6:06:55 PM)
REALIZING AL FRANKEN'S VISION
[OF A ONE-MAN BROADCAST STATION]
(remember that skit on SNL many years ago when he had a satellite dish on his head?)
Stephen, northern Texas (Sent Nov 10, 2005 6:18:49 PM)
"The first human prototype police vehicle"
Richard Yale, Santa Clarita, California (Sent Nov 10, 2005 7:19:02 PM)
"Third Shift Ranger"
Theresa Mack, Germantown, MD (Sent Nov 10, 2005 7:31:57 PM)
"When my wife told me to be home early, I should've listened! Oh-boy is she MAD..."
R. Chananie (Sent Nov 10, 2005 7:48:48 PM)
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