Video promotions?

[pineapple]

In "getting started", "Kenpomike" asked what people thought of video promotions. I told him that I did not think much of such promotions but then I thought that this was unfair because I never tried it to see what it was like. My question is: Is there anyone out there who has experienced going through the requirements and testing and what was it like?

[smr]

What are video promotions?

[Shorinryu Sensei]

I'll just assume that you mean being promoted via sending in a video of whatever it is they are asking you to do...correct?

 

I've not really been promoted that way, but I do have sent video's to my instructors in the past. Livinbg where I do, and my inability to travel to work with higher belts makes it difficult to have someone check out what I'm doing, so now and then I will make a video...unedited, of my class and send it to someone more knowledagable than myself and ask for a critique of it. So far..so good! lol

 

As for video promotions...I'd say that if you can test "live" in front of your sensei, that is always the best chouice...but if you can't, then video is the next best option. If I had a student that wanted to test this way with me, I would require the video to be unedited, and only allow the camera to be stopped once during the process...that way you know they aren't cheating and re-doing the actions over and over again to get them right.

[pineapple]

What I meant was achieving rank solely through the mail such as advertised in magazines. My opinion has always been low on such promotions, however I cannot criticize without trying it, therefore I wanted to hear from people who actually answered one of these ads and what was their experience like. Your keeping touch with your instructor via videos is different and I respect your traing this way.

[delta1]

Video testing, like any testing, depends on the integrity of those involved. I used to dislike the idea, but I've seen it work. Videos pick up everything, and can bererun to fine tune more than personal instruction.

 

I like the way the IKCA does theirs. Absolutely NO stops or breaks are allowed. They can (and will) fail or pass conditionally, or just pass with a lot of critique. They do not charge to retest, and they do require work with a partner (though not necessarily someone doing their system).

 

Video testing offers one advantage not found in just testing in person. You can watch your own test with the instructors notes and see exactly what he is critiquing. I recomend useing a video system even when testing in person for this reason. And you'd have the advantage of sitting with the instructor as you review it, if he'll do that with you.

 

Any type instruction and testing is only as good as the system, the student, and the instructor. But there are a lot of charlatans out there trying to make a fast buck selling worthless rank and videos. Same is true of schools. Whichever you do, I'd beware. I still recomend training and testing in a school when possible. But I have seen schools that video tape their tests and won't pass or promote before those videos are reviewed. Video is a good testing and training tool.

[kotegashiNeo]

good points delta never even looked at it that way

[The Saint]

You never know who's at the other end of these ads. It could be someone that is buying into a scam. If you've learnt from a master and are at a distance then an unedited video seems appropriate. Personally I want my instructor to be there when I test.

[Sasori_Te]

Here's my take. I train long distance via video with the Goju Shorei Weapons System (Cane, knife and fan) as well as Goju Shorei Karate.

 

As someone said recently, it depends on the integrity of the people involved. It seems to work okay for me. However, I already had a Shodan in another art before attempting this. I also train with my instructor in person every chance that I get.

 

I would also like to stipulate that you need a way for instant feedback such as telephone conversations or e-mail. I also always send my tapes in with one take. I'm not trying to get more rank. I want more knowledge. Cheating myself isn't going to help me get there.

 

So, here's some advice from me. I wouldn't try starting a martial art and progressing through the ranks using video initially. You have no knowledge base and no way of knowing whether you are practicing a technique correctly or not. If all you want is that piece of black cloth around your waist then save some time and money and go buy a belt and a certificate online somewhere. The end result will probably be the same anyway.

[scottnshelly]

My dad started teaching me Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do when i turned six. By this time, we had moved away from his dojang to an area with absolutely no Martial Art schools.

 

He taught me at home, then we video taped my first test (yellow belt) and mailed it to his dojang. I passed the test, by the way.

 

That was the only belt that he would tape and mail. He continued to teach me, but we would travel for the rest of the tests, up to 2nd Dan.

 

I think that, like everyone else has already said, they can be benificial as a last resort. I would not, however, condone this as a sole function. I've seen some websites that offer this with no interaction with the "Instructor" whatsoever and i laugh. Here's a funny one for example: http://www.adrianroman.com/Distant_learning.htm

 

Sorry that i had no valueable input on this topic...