The Truth about TikTok is a video explainer written, shot and edited by Lachlan Bahr.

If you have been on the internet in the last 2 years you have more than likely heard or used TikTok. This short video sharing app blew up during 2020 at the beginning of the Pandemic. It’s success has come from it’s “for you page” which provide users with a constant stream of videos which align with their interest based on a highly specific and secretive algorithm. In this piece of work I sought to explore how the algorithm truly works and what data TikTok keeps about it’s users. What I learnt was eye opening especially given the amount of children who use the application. I think it is important as consumers of these applications we are conscious of how large corporation use or misuse our personal information.

Throughout the process of creating this video my editing skills were tested. Especially my ability to record audio seperate to my video which was something I had never done before and led to some different issues with the quality of my audio. Outside of hardware issues I thoroughly enjoyed expanding my editing ability by playing around with animation, sound design and the editing of my footage together to create a cohesive piece of work.  I learnt about the important of blocking or storyboarding your work before beginning as this helped immensely in the latter stages of creation. This project greatly allowed me to expand my editing skills and my understanding of how integral and large a role AI technology plays a role in the digital world.

The Truth about TikTok – Lachlan Bahr S3903004 from Media Factory on Vimeo.