April 5, 2007

A Mishmash of Mashups of Maps and Misnomers

Misnomer Dance Theater just launched a video remix contest.

Misnomer uploaded one of their dance videos to the video editing site Jumpcut and users can create their own mashup (mix) by editing the video and adding their own audio and video clips. You can access the video clip to be edited here or click the "Remix" button on the bottom right of the following video:

Here's a screenshot of the editing options for Jumpcut - click on image for larger view. I haven't used this video editing application yet, but the tools look very versatile.

Embedding Dance Videos on Google Maps

I'm sure my title for this post is bewildering - but the idea is to make mashups of different types of content. Chris Elam of Misnomer is already encouraging his audience to create their own mashups. But why not combine these dance mashups with a new mapmaking mashup offering from Google?

Google just launched a new feature for Google maps that lets users embed video directly into their own customized maps. So I took the code for the Misnomer mashup video on Jumpcut and added it to Google. As you can see from the following screen shot - click for larger image - you can actually embed and watch a video at a specific geographical location:

To experiment with this Misnomer map, you can click this link.

(Note: I just did some more experimentation with embedding videos into Google Maps. There seem to be technical glitches because the video code is not always saved.)

Just so you know, the location I created for Misnomer is the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. This is the venue where they are performing next week - it has absolutely nothing to do with their remix video. I just wanted to show how to embed a video into a Google map.

Promoting Dance with Customized Google Maps

These customized maps are great. You can add text, pictures and, of course, videos. I think that the perfect application would be to use these maps if you are promoting upcoming performances or a city-wide event that takes place at many different venues.

Dance fans could visit your customized map and see at-a-glance where all the venues are located and watch video clips without leaving Google Maps.

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