KobreGuide's Top 20 Videos in June

Here are the top 20 most viewed video stories on KobreGuide during the month of June 2009:

Pit Bulls: Companions or Killers?

Conjoined Twins

Courtney Hawkins Comes Home

Bolivia's Women Wrestlers

Waiting Topless

Acid Attacks

Growing Up Online

Hungry: Living with Prader-Willi Syndrome

Second Chance: The Jazz Singer

Burned in the War

The Sand Dancer

The Girl in the Window

A Hendrix Experience in Hollywood

Journey Along the Border

Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr

Turtle Man

Being Aron Ralston

Gertrude Baines, 114, Votes

Stalemate in Korangal Valley

Ana's Story

We're hard pressed to find a common denominator here -- the subjects and themes are wonderfully diverse. Some are serious, some are lighthearted. Many are bleak, others are hopeful. Just like TV execs trying to predict a new series' potential for ratings success, it would be foolish to pursue non-fiction video stories on the basis of what you think will be popular.

One element we search for in selecting stories worthy of KobreGuide is passion. As we scan the list above, we can't help but notice that, whether a story was produced by a major media institution such as the New York Times, or by an independent shooter, they all seem to exude a distinctive spirit, a tone that says, "Hey, look at this!"

The lesson here for videojournalists? Follow your gut. First make sure the story appeals to YOU. Then you'll naturally imbue a story with your verve, and your enthusiasm will become infectious.

More Webby Winners...

As we poke through the gazillions of Webby Award categories, we keep stumbling across more online film & video honorees (outside the Documentary category) that have previously been showcased on KobreGuide.com , including:

MUSIC:
Project Song
(NPR)

SPORTS:
Courtney Hawkins Comes Home (pictured)
(Detroit Free Press)

NEWS & POLITICS -- INDIVIDUAL EPISODE:
Bearing Witness: Five Years of the Iraq War
(Reuters/MediaStorm), nominee.

Congrats to all!

Old-Fashioned Sports Values

Remember those pre-steroids, pre-scandals days when organized sports was supposed to be a vehicle for teaching good values to kids?

This week on KobreGuide, we spotlight two inspirational video sports stories that champion those long forgotten ideals.

They're both about two very different coaches who each came from surprising places to bring opportunities and new perspectives to disadvantaged kids at their respective high schools.

COURTNEY HAWKINS COMES HOME
Former NFL receiver and All-American college star returns to his Michigan hometown to coach and re-energize his high school football team. (Detroit Free Press)

BOYS IN THE SCRUM:
For members of the nation's first all-African-American high school rugby team, the sport has opened up new possibilities. (New York Times)