videolle

Videolle is a term used in digital media studies to describe a short-form video diary or documentary snippet published online, typically produced with mobile devices and shared on social platforms. It emphasizes immediacy, spontaneity, and personal observation.

Etymology: The word videolle appears to be a portmanteau of video and a diminutive suffix, conveying a small, informal moving image. It has been used mainly in francophone and anglophone media discourse to categorize a form between a video post and a micro-document.

Form and style: Videolles are usually brief, ranging from 10 to 60 seconds, sometimes up to two minutes. They often feature first-person narration or captions, portable camera work, natural lighting, and unscripted or lightly edited content. Content centers on everyday life, location scouting, or observational moments rather than fully produced narratives.

Platforms and usage: Primarily disseminated via social media feeds, stories, or short-form video apps. They function as participatory media, enabling creators to document small moments and build serial narratives. The format is used by hobbyists and professionals for experiments in tempo, audience engagement, and authenticity. There are debates about privacy, labor, and the impact of constant posting.

See also: video diary, microvideo, vlog, social media ethnography.