BrianOtte.com

The “wow, it’s been a while” post

Brian — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:55:47 +0000

photo © 2007 Laura Brunow | more info (via: Wylio)
This is the obligatory post everyone writes after their blog goes neglected for a certain period of time. Said post usually contains profuse apologies and promises to better oneself in the future by ensuring constant updates and information, but the truth is we all know it will happen again at some point. At least I’m honest about it. Truthfully I’m in awe of those that can continue blogging on a steady basis as that’s never been me. When things start to get busy (as they have over the past 3 months) the website and social networks are one of the first things I let go of. I know they carry a higher priority for others, but just not for me.

I’d like to get back to at least posting set lists and some other things in the near future. So look for that… maybe

Filed under: Uncategorized

It’s a Social Networking Christmas! (part 2)

Brian — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:00:34 +0000

Clearly using the internet tools to represent the birth of Christ is quite popular this year. This video is a lot like yesterday’s except for the fact that it impressively spans a much larger part of the internet as it tells the story. You have to be a bit more of a social networking geek to understand everything that’s going on (click here for reference), but I think it’s another very creative representation of the birth story. Enjoy!

(found through Facebook, thanks everyone)

Filed under: Random Fun, Video

It’s a Social Networking Christmas!

Brian — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:00:35 +0000

Igniter media is one of my favorite production companies for graphics and movies in worship. They put together this great piece telling the story of the Nativity through Facebook. Enjoy!

(Found this on Musicademy)

Filed under: Random Fun, Video

Is Your Small Group Anything Like This?

Brian — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:00:57 +0000

Check out this video of a church small group worshiping together. Makes me wonder if they became a small group because of a passion for singing or if this just developed organically. Either way, enjoy!

(found on Musicademy)

Filed under: Music, Random Fun, Small Group, Video, Worship

It’s a Flash Mob Christmas! (part 3)

Brian — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 17:10:36 +0000

I’m not sure this technically qualifies as a Flash Mob, but I had to share it since it took place in my home town. For starters, everyone seems to know what’s going on. There’s not much shock or surprise like you see in the Cafeteria Hallelujah Chorus video, or the Guerrilla Handbell Choir video. The very fact that most people came prepared with music kind of takes away from the spontaneous feel of the event. Also, it seems they just flooded West Side Market and stood around for a while before it started. I’ve regularly seen West Side Market that full, but never that still. Maybe my love for Flash Mobs has given me a sixth sense about these gatherings, but I’m pretty sure I would have known something was up long before they started, which kind of takes the fun out of it. Still a very impressive performance. Enjoy!

Filed under: Music, Random Fun, Video

It’s an iPad Christmas

Brian — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:00:57 +0000

I love my fiancé, if for no other reason than she sends me stuff like this:

@brianotte – think you might enjoy this if you haven't already seen it http://youtu.be/F9XNfWNooz4—
Kristen Sloan (@Sloaner24) December 08, 2010

She sent me this incredible video of North Point’s iPad Christmas set. Enjoy.

Filed under: Music, Random Fun, Video

It’s a Flash Mob Christmas (part 2)

Brian — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:59:51 +0000

Continuing on the theme of my ongoing love for all things Flash Mob and Christmas, I wanted to post this. It’s from last Christmas, but is one of my favorite stunts from Improv Everywhere and also one I’ve always wanted to recreate. Enjoy.

Filed under: Music, Random Fun, Video

It’s a Flash Mob Christmas!

Brian — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:00:24 +0000

If there’s two things I love more than anything else in the world they are Flash Mobs and Christmas. So to see the two united in such a glorious fashion makes me oh so happy. I just had to share. Enjoy.

(embedded video)

Thanks to Musicademy for sharing this.

Filed under: Music, Random Fun, Video

Does “Friend” = friend?

Brian — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:41:34 +0000

photo © 2007 Luc Legay | more info (via: Wylio)Did anybody’s friend count drop yesterday as a result of “National Un-Friend Day” (video posted below)? Mine stayed exactly where it was. I wonder, what would have happened if Stephen Colbert had declared the holiday instead of Jimmy Kimmel?

It was kind of a ridiculous concept really. Kimmel’s basic idea was that to use the word “Friend” on Facebook means it should be synonymous with friends in your everyday life. I admit the terminology is a bit confusing, but I never mistake my Twitter Tweeps for my real-life Tweeps. I know who my real tweeps are. Isn’t it kind of an insult from Kimmel to assume that we are incapable of processing a word in the English language with depth of meaning? I mean there’s no way a single word can have two separate meanings RIGHT? And if he really takes this purist approach to Facebook then I’d love to see what he “Likes” on the site:

(image source link: Natalie Dee)

I don’t really have a point to all this, I’m just enjoying poking (no pun intended) fun at it (ok, the pun was intended). Now there are two pieces of Jimmy’s theory that I whole-heartedly agree with:

#1- Your real friends will be revealed if you update your status with, “I’m moving this weekend, who can help me?”
#2- If someone is oversharing and bombarding your feed with pointless or irrelevent updates, then by all means unfriend them. That isn’t to say their content is not interesting, it is simply not of interest to you.

It does not offend me to be unfriended on Facebook, and if you are offended at the thought then you should probably step back from the service for a while and evaluate how much of a hold you are really allowing it to have on your life, because your relational value should never be determined by a website. Jimmy Kimmel’s idea that a “Friend” on Facebook should be equivalent to an actual friend is him missing the point. Facebook has made it easy to effortlessly connect with people increasingly farther out in our personal network, and to say that we should no longer use the service to connect in this manner all because they chose to use the word “Friend” feels like an evolutionary step backward.

So what do you think? Did your Friend-count drop yesterday? Should a “Friend” on Facebook be equivalent to someone you maintain a friend relationship with in real life?

Oh, and if you want to see Kimmel’s video, here you go:

(embedded video)

Filed under: Random Fun, Social Networking, Video

Nov. 20th Modern Worship Workshop

Brian — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:01:57 +0000

This week I’m doing one final PR push for my upcoming workshop, Modern Sacred Music: A Workshop on Performance, Practice, and Planning. I’m really excited about this event and am hoping and praying for a good turnout. A huge thank you goes out to Michael Ging and St. Mary Catholic Church for not only sponsoring and hosting the event, but for deciding to make the event free and open to the public. If you are in the Northeast Ohio area and interested in this event, here are the juicy deets:

Time:
Saturday, November 20th
10:00am to 12:00pm

Location:
Father Hanzo Family Center
St. Mary Catholic Church
242 North State Street
Painesville, OH 44077

Contact info:
For more information and to reserve a seat you may contact Michael Ging. His contact info can be found by downloading the promotional flyer here:

Nov. 20 Modern Worship Workshop (pdf)

I hope to see you at the event, and whether you’re planning to attend or not, maybe you can help me out as I prepare.
What is one burning question you have about creating modern worship environments?
Or, for my worship leader and church leader readers out there, what is the single most important thing you have learned about creating successful worship environments?

Filed under: Church Leadership, Special Events, Theology, Worship, Worship Leading