16 January, 2008
Voices4Action: Maria Maggenti
From Voices4Action.org
Each week Voices4Action! looks to the future, to be an incubator for ideas about how new media will impact the art of story-telling and the business of entertainment.
Goggleburn - Online TV You Gotta See
From GoggleBurn's website:
You know they’re out there: Hot videos, hiding in obscure video sites that you’re too busy to ferret out yourself. Cool video clips stashed in remote corners of the web that you’d probably never find. Internet TV…Online Videos... call it what you will, it’s out there and you’re hungry for it.
And that’s why the net gods created Goggleburn. Host Nick Douglas (of Valleywag, WIRED and Gawker fame) presents the hits, the trends, the rising stars and the occasional falling asteroids of online video. At Goggleburn you’ll see the best stuff first. (Being first is cool, don’t you think?)
Nick and his army of video inciters (editors, mostly) will apply a critical eye to the latest clips, clueing you in to the ones you’ve simply gotta see. They’ll tell who’s making what, and why the world is watching. Maybe it’s because a video just grabbed everybody’s attention, like “Leave Britney Alone.” Maybe the clips are extraordinarily entertaining, like the ones at Waverly Films and Super Deluxe. And maybe there’s an interesting backstory about the auteur. (Daxflame, for instance.)
Goggleburn will show you all the best stuff, and also give you a glimpse at unmissable train-wrecks like Star Wars Kid and the Ottoman Humpers.
And we invite YOU to participate too. Viewers are encouraged to make video responses to Goggleburn-featured content. We’ll publish the best ones we get. And we’ll also provide pointers about getting your own videos made and watched—and maybe even reviewed on Goggleburn.
WSC Show #67 - Interview with Winnie Holzman
In today’s episode, I went to the picket line the day when Warner Brothers laid off 1,000 employees and spoke with Winnie Holzman the creator of the television series My So-Called Life. It’s worth noting that I interviewed Winnie’s daughter Savannah Dooley only a few weeks ago. Recorded Monday 14 January 2008.
15 January, 2008
The Stream Is Up!
Watch Apple CEO Steve Jobs deliver Apple's his keynote address to Macworld 2008.From the Apple website: "See the video-on-demand event right here, exclusively in QuickTime and MPEG-4."
Click here.
MacWorld: Steve Jobs Keynote
Steve Jobs announces "iTunes Movie Rentals" in his keynote speech at MacWorld. Below is from live blogger Ryan Block from Engadget
Click here to direct live blog link: http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/15/live-from-macworld-2008-steve-jobs-keynote/
Click here to direct live blog link: http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/15/live-from-macworld-2008-steve-jobs-keynote/
9:48am - Star Trek! I love the old Star Trek movies..." Chuckles. Blades of Glory: "Fun movie -- I can read about the movie, see the actors, directors..." shows recommendations based on what others have viewed.
9:47am - "All these features and an entirely new UI." Demo time! "This is the new UI -- one menu, it couldn't be simpler. Let's go into movies..." Man, this is a sexy interface, no doubt.
9:46am - "And, of course, play iTunes content. So all of this stuff on the new Apple TV. Let me focus on the HD movies for a minute... the library titles are $2.99 and $3.99 -- for just a dollar more rent them in HD, $3.99 and $4.99 -- there are over 100 titles available today.
9:45am - Here's what you can do with Apple TV: rent movies directly on widescreen TV with Apple TV. Rent them in DVD quality, rent them in HD with 5.1" HUGE applause! Screaming.
"Dolby 5.1 surround. The quality is unbelievable. You can also view audio and video podcasts right on ATV, choose from 125k podcasts and see them right on your widescreen. Get photos from your computer... get them also right over the internet from Flickr and .mac." Flickr support, good gawd yall.
"And, of course, YouTube -- we've expanded the selection. There's now over 50m videos from YT, This has worked out so great, our customers love this. Buy TV shows and music right from your TV. And if you're using a computer it'll sync BACK to your computer."
9:44am - "I'd like to say all of us have tried. We have, MSFT, Amazon, TiVo, VuDu, Netflix, Blockbuster -- we've all tried to figure out how to get movies over the net onto the TV. We've ALL missed. No one's succeeded yet. We tried with Apple TV -- it was designed to be an accessory for iTunes and your computer. But that's not what people wanted."
"We learned what people wanted was about movies. Movies. Movies. We weren't delivering that -- we're back with Apple TV Take 2 -- It still syncs to your computer, but no computer is required
9:43am - "It launches today! Free software update for iTunes, iPods, iPhones to support rentals. Rolling it out in the US today, we're dying to get this out internationally. But what about this? What about the flat screen TV? I'd like to watch the movies there too."
9:42am - "Here's how it works -- I'm on iTunes, looking at a movie I want to rent, I hit rent movie, and it adds to my rented movies category in my iTunes library...." Sorry for the technical difficulties everyone! We're at 10x the traffic of our last keynote, but things are coming back online.
9:41am - "Watch instantly! In less than 30s..." it streams. "The rules -- you have 30 days to start watching it, and once you start you have 24 hours to watch and finish it. As many times as you want. You can transfer films to another device in the middle -- transfer to your iPod and watch the rest on the iPod on your flight."
"What's it going to cost? To rent a library title will cost $2.99 -- new release? $3.99" Big applause.
9:40am - "Now, so what's the deal? We're gonna launch with 1k films by the end of February -- 30 days after DVD release. Watch anywhere, PCs, Macs, iPods, iPhone..."
9:39am - "We're gonna have all the great first run films -- REALLY, really great films. I'm sure you saw a lot of these in the theater. We've also got great library titles, Red October, Matrix... lots of library titles, all the great new ones from this last year..."
9:38am - "We've never offered a rental model in music because we don't think people don't want to rent music. But your favorite movie -- most of us watch once, and renting is a great way to do it. It's a great way to do it. We've got participation of great studios. Touchstone, MGM, Miramax,... and these six too. Lions Gate, Fox, WB, Walt Disney, Paramount, Universal, Sony..." Everyone! Huge applause
9:37am - "And we've sold 7m movies, again, more than everyone else put together. But it didn't meet our expectations, I have to tell you. We think there's a better way to deliver movie content through iTunes. So today, we're introducing iTunes Movie Rentals."
Marketplace: Advertisers happy to have 'Idol' time
American Public Media's "Marketplace" did a story yesterday:
Advertisers happy to have 'Idol' time
With the Hollywood writers strike cutting the size of TV audiences advertisers had planned to reach, the arrival of another season of "American Idol" is being met with some rejoicing -- and a much higher price tag. Lisa Napoli reports.
WSC Show #66 - Interview with Jay Kogen
In today’s episode we talk to Jay Kogen at the picket line in front of NBC studios. Recorded Friday, 11 January 2008.
This is the final episode in which Bill Funt will be the guest interviewer on the podcast. But it's up to you whether Bill gets to stay or if Bill's gotta go. Cast your vote on the poll below. Voting ends Thursday, 17 January 2008 @ 10:00 a.m.
14 January, 2008
My Hulu Review
OK, last year I said I give my full review of Hulu, but frankly, I've been too busy to bother checking it out. Until now.
In a nutshell: I find it underwhelming. You need a fat pipe and I don't have one. Just yer bargain basement basic DSL plan. You can't buffer, so I experience a choppy, jaggy program that loads slowly. Will it fulfill its claims to be the YouTube killer? No. I mean, so not because UGC and commercial broadcast entertainment are different sides of the spectrum. (Yes, there'll be crossover, but it's your basic apples versus oranges comparison.) Picture quality is awesome, but then again, like I said: you can't buffer, so experiencing a choppy, jaggy program sucks.
About those ads: each episode viewed shown on Hulu offers three thirty-second advertisements by one sponsor. The ads don't really bother me and pro'ly won't bother your average GenXer or boomer. Millennials will find it so uncool. It seems they just don't like to be directly marketed to. But, meh, they'll get used to it.
Experian Research Services recently conducted a study that showed consumers are 47 percent more engaged by ads that run alongside television content online in comparison to those ads that run on broadcast. See video below for how Experian came up with these numbers.
Final analysis: even if/when Hulu improves, I'll avert my eyeballs until the writers get a fair deal and a cut of the revenue generated by these said ads.
My two cents. YMMV.
In a nutshell: I find it underwhelming. You need a fat pipe and I don't have one. Just yer bargain basement basic DSL plan. You can't buffer, so I experience a choppy, jaggy program that loads slowly. Will it fulfill its claims to be the YouTube killer? No. I mean, so not because UGC and commercial broadcast entertainment are different sides of the spectrum. (Yes, there'll be crossover, but it's your basic apples versus oranges comparison.) Picture quality is awesome, but then again, like I said: you can't buffer, so experiencing a choppy, jaggy program sucks.
About those ads: each episode viewed shown on Hulu offers three thirty-second advertisements by one sponsor. The ads don't really bother me and pro'ly won't bother your average GenXer or boomer. Millennials will find it so uncool. It seems they just don't like to be directly marketed to. But, meh, they'll get used to it.
Experian Research Services recently conducted a study that showed consumers are 47 percent more engaged by ads that run alongside television content online in comparison to those ads that run on broadcast. See video below for how Experian came up with these numbers.
Final analysis: even if/when Hulu improves, I'll avert my eyeballs until the writers get a fair deal and a cut of the revenue generated by these said ads.
My two cents. YMMV.
WSC Show #65 - Interview with Norma Safford Vela
In today’s episode we talk to Norma Safford Vela at the picket line in front of NBC studios. Recorded Friday, 11 January 2008.
In the next few episodes Bill Funt will be the guest interviewer for the podcast. But it's up to you whether Bill gets to stay or if Bill's gotta go. Cast your vote on the poll below. Voting ends Thursday, 17 January 2008 @ 10:00 a.m.
13 January, 2008
Story2Oh!
New to the blogosphere: Story2Oh! Here's their "Hello World" post:
More info here.
What’s the story with Story2Oh!?
Story2Oh! is a sexy, funny and hip soap for the digital age offering marketers new opportunities to deliver their brand messages on the Web.
Story2Oh! targets 19- to 29-year-olds by bringing drama to the sites they already frequent, particularly social networking sites, including Facebook, the fastest growing site worldwide. Social networking is the second most popular activity on the Internet and becoming more popular by the minute. If an advertiser wants to hook up with the iGeneration, this is where they are.
Story2Oh! takes television storytelling techniques and expands them to make use of all the features of the Internet. The story action plays out on blogs, in forums, online photo albums, video uploads and through the Web’s interactive potential to create an exciting new form of drama. A staff of top television writers, comedians and actors make Story2Oh! professional calibre entertainment designed for Internet longevity.
In addition to product placement, product integration and traditional advertising opportunities, Story2Oh! can bring unique content to websites, drawing users with it. Additional revenue will result from subscriptions for mobile content and streamed video.
While there are production expenses, there are few technological, publication or distribution costs. For the audience, there are no schedules, theatres, or downloads. This is entertainment that’s there whenever the audience wants it.
More info here.
Porn companies challenged by Internet sites
So I just posted this Reuters story on my del.ici.ous links, but this is totally worth a cross-post. Seems the porn industry, like the entertainment industry, is not immune to the advent of UGC and the subsequent economic downturn caused by disruptive technologies either . Check it:
Entire article here.
After years of booming sales supported by videotapes, DVDs and the Internet, the adult film industry is being challenged by easy video-sharing Web sites offering explicit content for free.
"We're dealing with rampant piracy, tons of free content," said Steven Hirsch, co-founder of privately held Vivid, the best-known studio making sex films.
Vivid once earned 80 percent of its roughly $100 million a year from DVD sales, but last year that fell to 30 percent, Hirsch said in an interview.
Entire article here.
WSC Show #64 - Interview with Matt Harawitz
In today’s episode we talk to Mathew Harawitz at the picket line in front of NBC studios. Recorded Friday, 11 January 2008.
In the next few episodes Bill Funt will be the guest interviewer for the podcast. But it's up to you whether Bill gets to stay or if Bill's gotta go. Cast your vote on the poll below. Voting ends Thursday, 17 January 2008 @ 10:00 a.m.
UFVA Fair Use & Free Speech Contest - $500 for best fair use!
University Film and Video Association is hosting a contest for the best short documentaries employing fair use, made by higher education students and faculty. Entrants must employ fair use in quoting material in their documentaries, using the Documentary Filmmakers’ Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use as a guide to their decision-making. Deadline: 8 May 2008.
Details here.
Recut, Reframe, Recycle
The Center for Social Media recently conducted a study entitled "Recut, Reframe, Recycle: Quoting Copyrighted Material in User-Generated Video" by Center director Pat Aufderheide and Peter Jaszi, co-director of the law school’s Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property. The study asks the question (so reminiscent of what the music industry is enduring with the "mash-up" or "bastard pop" phenomenon): When college kids make mashups of Hollywood movies, are they violating the law?
Read the entire article and download the study here.
12 January, 2008
My Damn Channel!
WTF is "My Damn Channel"?
From their website:
My Damn Channel is an entertainment studio and new media platform created to empower artists to co-produce, distribute and monetize original, episodic video content. Programming is created by artists for the My Damn Channel site and for syndication on today’s most heavily-trafficked online communities and social networks. My Damn Channel gives its artists 100% creative control to develop their own brands and new storylines. My Damn Channel produces a diverse array of programming and... blah, blah, blah. Are you still reading this crap? This is the web age. People don’t read anymore.Why, even Harry Shearer's got a channel!
Harry Krishna Harry Krishna, Krishna Krishna Harry Harry....
WSC #63 - Ask a Ninja: Kent Nichols
In today’s episode I get a killer opportunity to Ask A Ninja. That is, I get to talk to Kent Nichols, the co-creator of Ask a Ninja at the Strike TV seminar “Adventures in New Media”. Recorded Wednesday, 9 January 2008.
Gizmodo Pranks CES By Turning Off Displays Using TV-B-Gone
My favorite story to come out of CES.
Folks in the blogosphere are all freaking out about it, though. Some say: Get over it. Others have no sense of humor about it. Still others ponder the difference between a blogger and a journalist.
This reminds me of the most fabulous prank of last year: the special ops that brought you AMPTP.com. It was a joke, people. Get over it. Learn and move on.
Striking Writers to Launch Online Video Co., Seeking $30M+
NewTeeVee is reporting:
Entire article here.
"Out of work and newly wise to the state of content being distributed online, a group of professional writers is looking to start their own production and distribution company. Aaron Mendelsohn, writer of the Disney film Air Bud and an active WGA member, is captaining the efforts, and says he has gotten a group of “A-list” film and TV writers on the team. He’s also partnering with online community experts from Silicon Valley and raising “north of $30 million” in venture capital, with the idea of launching a company called Virtual Artists later this year."
Entire article here.
11 January, 2008
Get Ready For MacWorld!
Predictions for MacWorld by Gizmodo.
Enter the contest to make your own prediction here. (Must be 18 years older to play. Void where prohibited. See Steve for details.)
WSC #62 - Strike TV: Kent Nichols and Tom Smuts
Today we’re going to hear an excerpt from a panel discussion for the STRIKE TV: ADVENTURES IN NEW MEDIA seminar held at the Writers’ Guild Theater in Beverly Hills last Wednesday. Featured in this episode is Kent Nichols, the co-creator of the smash hit “Ask A Ninja” and writer Tom Smuts, who in addition to having written for Law & Order, Eyes, and Close To Home, is a co-founder of the Berkman Center for the Internet and Society at Harvard Law School. Recorded Wednesday, 9 January 2008.
10 January, 2008
Strike TV Question and Answer
I read this on the Strike TV profile:
Q: I LOVE U2. BONO JUST... MOVES ME. CAN I USE HIS MUSIC IN MY SHORT?And now here's my advice: get yourself some podsafe music. Be sure to carefully read the clearance requirements or Creative Commons license from each artist. Having said that go knock yourself out at the sites listed below. They are ranked in order of favorites. I have used them all at one point in another podcast I produce:
A: Unless you've retained the rights, or are actually Bono himself, the answer is no. We cannot post copyright-protected music, film or any other material on Strike TV without the proper clearances.
- - Magnatune
- - Podsafe Music Network
- - Garage Band (no, not the Mac software, silly)
If any music artist or band would like to leave a post in the comments below offering your music to contestants participating in Strike TV, you'd totally raaaaawk. Like Slayer, dude!
WSC Show #61 - Strike TV: Peter Hyoguchi and Jim Cooper
In today’s episode I attend a seminar at the Writers Guild called "STRIKE TV: ADVENTURES IN NEW MEDIA" and speak to Peter Hyoguchi and Jim Cooper, the dynamic duo that's driving Strike TV. Recorded Wednesday, 9 January 2008.
What is Strike TV?
Strike TV is an Internet fundraiser. It's an online "channel" featuring original video shows created by working professionals in the TV and Film Industry. These shows are self-funded and owned by their creators. Funds raised by ad revenue will go toward the Writers Guild Foundation Industry Support Fund, assisting non-WGA members, including IATSE and Teamsters affected by the strike. Strike TV videos will not be about the strike. This is a chance for writers to do what they do best - be original and tell stories.
Between now and January 15, we invite WGA members to think about what they'd like to shoot and submit a proposal to us. Strike TV is open to all active WGA members.
For more information, go to http://myspace.com/striketv.
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