As SXSW Interactive comes to a close and the music portion of the event swings into full gear, CNN is continuing to debut its new “Open Story” brand of reporting. CNN turned five of its citizen journalist “iReporters” and six Vimeo creators loose on Austin, creating a news story that updates on the news channel’s site in real time.
To compile the footage and promote their latest product of reportage, CNN released the above video, which chronicles SXSW “by the numbers.” Featuring a soundtrack from electro-rockers Blip Blip Bleep, the video gives some insight into the enormous annual festival that continues to grow year after year. Really, a pedicab can top out at 25 miles an hour? There are 1300+ registered food carts around Austin during the week? Either the 2011 edition of SXSW was that over the top, or I just wasn’t paying attention when I went last year.