Backgrounds

With all the stay at home orders, or just plain staying at home when you’re not at work if you’re an essential worker, more of us (me included) have been using those built in cameras on our devices, you know as actual cameras!  I don’t really think about the camera on my computer or tablet, as I’m either using a regular one or the one on my smart phone to take videos or pictures.  Until now, I haven’t really used them for online meetings.

This past week, I was in a virtual meeting two times.  I’ve met with some of my friends two other times so we could catch up with each other in a way besides our group texts.

I also participated in a few radio shows, where there was no visual representation only voices.  And also in a couple of visual poetry readings and a writing workshop here or there.  I also videoed myself reading some poems for a virtual poetry reading celebration.

I’ve got a YouTube channel, as most authors do, but I don’t do a lot with it.  I post the occasional video from a poetry or book reading, or from an open mic night.  I also post train videos!  I really have done very little with my channel.  (Search LB Sedlacek on YT if you want to subscribe.).

As a result, I’ve done very little with my cameras.  Usually any video I’m posting is filmed outdoors or at a venue like a book store or art space.

Filming or doing a live feed indoors, though, I’ve noticed presents a whole new challenge.  What do you have in your background?

What’s behind your head?  When I used one service on my phone, I could change my background to any picture I wanted so I used a sunset.  Upon using that same service on my computer, I couldn’t use a picture background.  I had to use what was right behind me!

What’s behind my computer desk?  My friends from the group text, were discussing how interesting it is!  A bookshelf is behind my chair, behind my desk.  If you weren’t aware of it, I love Scooby-Doo!  I have a few Scooby-Doo items in my bookshelf.  The same bookshelf where I keep my writing supplies and copies of my books to sell at readings, etc.  I also have a few toys I’ve saved for sentimental reasons. I have other bookshelves with actual books on them, some mine, some by my favorite authors.  The shelf behind me, if I’m on camera, doesn’t have any books in it other than my author copies!

I thought about trying to put up a poster about my books - I have “Poetry in LA” and “The Mailbox of the Kindred” covers to go behind me and cover the bookshelf.  I couldn’t quite figure out the logistics.  I thought about moving my camera. Too much trouble!  I thought about just using my phone and going outside, but it would’ve been too noisy.

In the end, I decided to just keep my background representative of me:  full of writing supplies and author copies and toys and yes Scooby-Doo!  (Did you see the new movie “Scoob!”?  It’s awesome!”). I’m not on TV, I don’t have to worry about my smart looking background or being rated on how great it is in a magazine, lol.

I think backgrounds of all kinds, where your from, what you like, things you experienced growing up or not, all contribute to your writing life.  And yes, what’s behind you can contribute to it, too!  I don’t write anything much related to toys or cartoons, but it somewhat keeps me kid like and helps my imagination to soar, and that’s what you need whenever you write.

What’s in your background?  Comment here, I’d love to know!