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Aren't there a few videos available of "Live" investigations that are 8 hours long?
So here's a question for everyone – what would be an actual representation?
Aren't there a few videos available of "Live" investigations that are 8 hours long?
So here's a question for everyone – what would be an actual representation?
No idea… I never searched for one before! If I'm not busy with my friends and family, my husband and I are on road trips, doing our own investigations or I'm writing. I never pay attention unless it's pushed down my throat like the shows on TV now.
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Aren't there a few videos available of "Live" investigations that are 8 hours long?
I dont know about videos being available, but I remember spending a night
watching Robb and Barry and a bunch of people doing a Live investigation
in California on my Computer /laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />
That was a long boring night haha.
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So Heidi, was that an actual representation, then? And doesn't it go to show exactly why these shows are all chopped down to about 20 minutes per investigation? The long & boring night…
I know you can get the Halloween specials, which were "live" and (I think) 8 hours or so long. That's what I was thinking when I asked. I could never stay awake for them though. /mellow.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':mellow:' />
I'd love to see a group set up a live webcam during an investigation so we could see how it's actually done, though. Obviously on an investigation where confidentiality isn't an issue.
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I understand what everyone is saying but the sitting in the dark for several hours is such a minute part of an actual investigation.
Don't mean to ruffle any feathers but from what I see being said here, only describes a Ghost Hunt. A lot of fun but hardly an investigation.
An actual investigation, although complicated and lengthy is hardly boring if done correctly.
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So Heidi, was that an actual representation, then? And doesn't it go to show exactly why these shows are all chopped down to about 20 minutes per investigation? The long & boring night…
I dont know if it was a real representation or not. It was a real representation of what a paid
investigation is like /laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' /> . It was really, really boring to watch I'll say that, and the only
excitement was when I would get a glimpse of Barry /wub.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':mellow:' />
An actual investigation, although complicated and lengthy is hardly boring if done correctly.
Again, I'll say I've never been on an actual investigation, I only know what
the investigators I know have told me, that it's hours of boredom broken up
by a few minutes of excitement every now and then.
I understand what everyone is saying but the sitting in the dark for several hours is such a minute part of an actual investigation.
Don't mean to ruffle any feathers but from what I see being said here, only describes a Ghost Hunt. A lot of fun but hardly an investigation.
An actual investigation, although complicated and lengthy is hardly boring if done correctly.
My thoughts exactly…
Anything really on TV that we see now is for the sake of entertainment purposes. I'm going to assume the 8 or 12 hour long DVDs of investigations mentioned were not 100% accurate due to the fact that it was being filmed for the sake of a DVD. If the investigators are "bored" on an investigation, they shouldn't be paranormal investigators. I've not once been bored, and have spent many 12-hours nights, and days, in various locations investigating with nothing at all happening. But on the inside, I was personally just as excited about the possibilities from the investigation, as well as being in some of the locations of which I investigated.
For the serious people, it's a job. And it's a job one should enjoy. If they don't enjoy it, like any other profession, then find another one that makes you "less bored".
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Again, I'll say I've never been on an actual investigation, I only know what
the investigators I know have told me, that it's hours of boredom broken up
by a few minutes of excitement every now and then.
Understood. That sounds like Ghost Hunting. Nothing wrong with that but ghost hunting does get boring when you do noting but sit or walk around hoping for something to happen. I was just mentioning that some of us do investigations instead of Ghost Hunting. In fact some members in my group do both.
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Understood. That sounds like Ghost Hunting. Nothing wrong with that but ghost hunting does get boring when you do noting but sit or walk around hoping for something to happen. I was just mentioning that some of us do investigations instead of Ghost Hunting. In fact some members in my group do both.
So I'm curious the difference between hunting and investigating?
The people that have told me that are to my knowledge investigators.
eta: just so you know, i'm not being snarky, i'm really curious the difference /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':mellow:' />
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Will it ever be possible for anyone to do a show that accurately represents what paranormal investigation is about … completely?
Probably not. Doing so in a 22-minute or 45-minute show just doesn't allow for a true representation of what really goes on to be fully covered.
What I would say is that someone who is truly gifted may be able to capture the essence. That being said, just the fact that there is to be an observer into the process changes the process. In this case, the camera is the observer. The very act of observing something can't help but alter it, IMHO. Then you toss in an editor and people on the production end who have an artistic idea of what they'd like the end product to look like, and I think you wind up not very close to what it's really like.
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What I would say is that someone who is truly gifted may be able to capture the essence. That being said, just the fact that there is to be an observer into the process changes the process. In this case, the camera is the observer. The very act of observing something can't help but alter it, IMHO. Then you toss in an editor and people on the production end who have an artistic idea of what they'd like the end product to look like, and I think you wind up not very close to what it's really like.
Well, I guess I feel as though many of the shows do portray some type of reality at some point … setting up equipment, evidence review, etc.
But, yeah, in an hour's show, the ability to capture the essence is limited.
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So I'm curious the difference between hunting and investigating?
The people that have told me that are to my knowledge investigators.
eta: just so you know, i'm not being snarky, i'm really curious the difference
/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />
I don't think you're snarky. LOL
There is actually a big difference. Many, not all, people tend to use the term investigator to describe themselves. They think it lends some credibility to what they are doing. Unfortunately for them it lends no credibility to label yourself as something you are not and can even backfire.
Ghost Hunting is exactly what it implies, Hunting. Just like hunting anything else. You go out to where people have told you your quarry may be. Then you walk around or sit and wait for your prey to come to you. Sometimes you get lucky. Many times you come up empty handed unless the person is one who believes that all orbs and mists are an indication of spirits.
An investigation lasts as long as it takes to come to a conclusion. Most investigations are open ended for obvious reasons. Investigations involve a lot of paperwork, interviews, besides photography, audio & video recordings. An investigation must answer the 5 "W's". Who, what, where, when & why. Investigations should be meticulously done so all information gathered can be filed to compare with the next investigation and so on. Think of what you want to do. It's like a puzzle. That is what an investigation is. It's putting the pieces of the puzzle together. Unfortunately, all the pieces aren't present at one or two places and why we investigate. To try and find all the pieces. There is a lot more to it but you get the basic idea.
Now don't misunderstand like some do. There is nothing wrong or demeaning about just plain ghost hunting. The people who ghost hunt is where an investigator can get a lot of their cases.
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Aren't there a few videos available of "Live" investigations that are 8 hours long?
So here's a question for everyone – what would be an actual representation?
Given what I've seen on TV, I'm thinking maybe Ghost Hunters' 6-hour live events are the closest thing that I've seen that would give a better idea of the tedious nature of some investigations.
I really enjoyed the first Stanley live event.
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I don't think you're snarky. LOL
There is actually a big difference. Many, not all, people tend to use the term investigator to describe themselves. They think it lends some credibility to what they are doing. Unfortunately for them it lends no credibility to label yourself as something you are not and can even backfire.
Ghost Hunting is exactly what it implies, Hunting. Just like hunting anything else. You go out to where people have told you your quarry may be. Then you walk around or sit and wait for your prey to come to you. Sometimes you get lucky. Many times you come up empty handed unless the person is one who believes that all orbs and mists are an indication of spirits.
An investigation lasts as long as it takes to come to a conclusion. Most investigations are open ended for obvious reasons. Investigations involve a lot of paperwork, interviews, besides photography, audio & video recordings. An investigation must answer the 5 "W's". Who, what, where, when & why. Investigations should be meticulously done so all information gathered can be filed to compare with the next investigation and so on. Think of what you want to do. It's like a puzzle. That is what an investigation is. It's putting the pieces of the puzzle together. Unfortunately, all the pieces aren't present at one or two places and why we investigate. To try and find all the pieces. There is a lot more to it but you get the basic idea.
Now don't misunderstand like some do. There is nothing wrong or demeaning about just plain ghost hunting. The people who ghost hunt is where an investigator can get a lot of their cases.
okay, I get the difference. when i made the comment that it's been described as hours of boredom, you said that would be ghost
hunting, not investigating. i guess i wonder what the investigators do different during the night at a location that makes their's
not boring as opposed to the hunters who can have times of tidiousness (to borrow cheryl's word /biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' /> ).
i find it hard to believe that people doing this kind of work are in a constant state of excitement, whether hunting or investigating.
i find it hard to believe that people doing this kind of work are in a constant state of excitement, whether hunting or investigating.
Many people are… If it's in "your blood", it's a serious interest, you consider it your job, you want to learn and educate people about it, and if you're in a place like the old prisons or an asylum, the architecture and history doesn't get old for me to look at. To just be there is exciting to me, regardless of the reason. I suppose if the person doesn't have an interest in the chance of capturing something paranormal that they won't know until they review everything, or if they don't have an interest in history and architecture, or helping people pertaining to this industry, or educating yourself as a "mission" about the paranormal, then yes, it would be boring to that person. It's not something that can be generalized across the board unless your in my shoes, or another investigator's shoes, and understand the motivation, need to know and learn in order to assist others, have the 150% interest, and want to do it.
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i guess i wonder what the investigators do different during the night at a location that makes their's
not boring as opposed to the hunters who can have times of tidiousness (to borrow cheryl's word
/biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' /> ).
i find it hard to believe that people doing this kind of work are in a constant state of excitement, whether hunting or investigating.
You hit it right on the head. Investigators don't go out at night to a place and then turn off the lights hoping for excitement. That is the hobby of ghost hunting. Those people are looking for the thrill and excitement and not the truth about what may have been reported. Someone who investigates, takes the facts surrounding experiences and investigates that instead of going to an old building hoping for something to happen. Investigators, investigate. It's as simple as that.
Also you have to take into account that 90% or more of reported experiences happen during daylight hours or at night with the lights on. So it doesn't even make sense to begin to look for something by waiting until midnight and then turning the lights out.
You find it hard to believe that an investigator could be in a constant state of excitement and I can understand that. However, although I am not jumping up and down 24/7 I am excited about what I do all the time. Every day I am on the computer, reading, talking to people, etc, at least 6 hours a day in reference to the paranormal. I compare what they believe, & do and compare it to others and the things I have found. The paranormal fills a lot of my spare time and I love what I do. So for me I guess you could say I am in a constant state of excitement in what I am doing but I can understand people being bored as you would with any hobby that doesn't produce results you expect.
I guess you could make this comparison… Ghost Hunters are like the guy on the beach with a metal detector and an actual investigator is like Mel Fisher. I have made my own classifications over the years and have found there are those who just don't exactly fall into either category. There are some that do more than just ghost hunt yet don't get into the complexity of an investigation. I have labeled them as Paranormal Examiners but the term never caught on.
You hit it right on the head. Investigators don't go out at night to a place and then turn off the lights hoping for excitement. That is the hobby of ghost hunting. Those people are looking for the thrill and excitement and not the truth about what may have been reported. Someone who investigates, takes the facts surrounding experiences and investigates that instead of going to an old building hoping for something to happen. Investigators, investigate. It's as simple as that.
I slightly disagree with this comment… but of course it's pertaining to personal opinion as to what an investigator and ghost hunter is, and when the best time to investigate should, could or would be. I've captured and experiencd what I feel is some of my best paranormal evidence during the day. I spent probably a week's worth of DAYS over 2 years studying every aspect of Dixmont State. The ghosts, the history, the architecture, talking with ex employees, etc. At the same time, I investigate at night. In fact, one of our on-going experiments for at least the past ten years is to investigate the same location during the day and then again at night to see if there is a difference in what we experience and/or capture on video, film, etc. Honestly, there's not much of a difference. Sometimes we got more during the night, sometimes during the day. Going out at night, though, does not make a person less of an investigator, and it's wrong to assume they don't have the same potential, motivation and interest as one who investigates only during the day.
EDIT… Just a quick PS, I wanted to include that I highly respect your opinions and you as a fellow investigator. Hope you understand where I'm coming from…
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I slightly disagree with this comment… but of course it's pertaining to personal opinion as to what an investigator and ghost hunter is, and when the best time to investigate should, could or would be. I've captured and experiencd what I feel is some of my best paranormal evidence during the day. I spent probably a week's worth of DAYS over 2 years studying every aspect of Dixmont State. The ghosts, the history, the architecture, talking with ex employees, etc. At the same time, I investigate at night. In fact, one of our on-going experiments for at least the past ten years is to investigate the same location during the day and then again at night to see if there is a difference in what we experience and/or capture on video, film, etc. Honestly, there's not much of a difference. Sometimes we got more during the night, sometimes during the day. Going out at night, though, does not make a person less of an investigator, and it's wrong to assume they don't have the same potential, motivation and interest as one who investigates only during the day.
EDIT… Just a quick PS, I wanted to include that I highly respect your opinions and you as a fellow investigator. Hope you understand where I'm coming from…
As you said it is an opinion and I welcome disagreement. It gives me another avenue to explore. So go ahead an let me have it. lol I have been doing this for 33 years and I always find something new to ponder and many times from other opinions. I also want to clarify that I wouldn't suggest to investigate ONLY during the day or only during the night either. I was trying to clarify that if you are investigating a reoccurring incident, you wouldn't investigate at a different time than when it occurs. Just trying to explain that you need something, to investigate. You don't need anything to ghost hunt. The TV shows made it popular to call what they do investigating but even by the simple definition of the word, they are not investigating.
Investigation is the process of inquiring into a matter through research, follow-up, study, & formal procedure of discovery.
Oh, I understand where you are coming from. LOL I enjoyed a career as a detective and can usually figure out what a person means, even subtley.
As you said it is an opinion and I welcome disagreement. It gives me another avenue to explore. So go ahead an let me have it. lol
I don't want to let you have it!! LOL I'm always up for a good conversation when it comes to investigating and hearing others' opinions. I value yours knowing your a sincere fellow investigator, and I always find your comments interesting!
I also want to clarify that I wouldn't suggest to investigate ONLY during the day or only during the night either. I was trying to clarify that if you are investigating a reoccurring incident, you wouldn't investigate at a different time than when it occurs. Just trying to explain that you need something, to investigate. You don't need anything to ghost hunt. The TV shows made it popular to call what they do investigating but even by the simple definition of the word, they are not investigating.
Investigation is the process of inquiring into a matter through research, follow-up, study, & formal procedure of discovery.
Oh, I understand where you are coming from. LOL I enjoyed a career as a detective and can usually figure out what a person means, even subtley.
Okay… Now I understand more of where you're coming from! I agree with all points posted. 1. – One does need something to investigate, but at the same time, one can also go to a location that has not been investigated before, a place that may be a great location to start an investigation, and go from there. That's what I did with Dixmont. It's been in movies, has lots of ghost stories, but I was the first to privately investigate it (with legal permission from the grounds owners since it was closed to the public), and continued on for 2 years. I miss that place dearly!! Feels like a part of me went down with it when they demolished it back in August '05. (See Heidi, another example of an interest level… Sometimes you get really attached to a place you love so much in this industry. I'd give anything to have Dixmont back!) 2. – Having a second career (for me) as a detective/traveler/researcher/writer is the best thing ever!! Within the next year or two I should be able to quit my full-time job and get moving on the "second career" as a permanent, full time detective/traveler/researcher/writer!
Have a good day!! /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />
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I always thought of the two as step 1&2 First you ghosthunt if & when you find one you move onto the investigation I consider both to be fun but like any job if your heart is not in it can be boring /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />
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