Official Blog
Use your video-making skills to make sanitation sexy
Monday, October 18, 2010
Eyeglasses, the bicycle, the latex condom...What everyday products or services have changed the world as we know it and solved some of the world’s biggest problems?
For the past month, this question has been posed through a website called
Search for the Obvious
. From the Internet to the ironing board, users from around the world have flocked to Search for the Obvious to
add
the products and services that are their ideal of elegant, problem-solving design. A panel of
judges
from media and design has been evaluating the contributions, and a few of their favorites have been featured on the site. Search for the Obvious is run by
Acumen Fund
, a nonprofit venture fund investing in entrepreneurial solutions to global poverty.
Today, Search for the Obvious launched a
challenge
that dares videographers, designers and creatives of all kinds to come up with the craftiest campaign to promote one of the judges’ favorite picks: sewers. Succinctly put: “Sanitation is sexy: make it obvious” – through a video, advertisement, catchy tagline or other form of media, participants are being asked to demonstrate why sanitation is the most important issue currently facing the developing world. (For some inspiration on creative video campaigns, view this
video
for "The Girl Effect"). Submissions are due by Sunday, November 21, at 11:59 p.m. PT.
The winning video(s) will be featured on our homepage in early December. Winners will also be featured through major media sources, such as
Design Observer
, and will be recognized by Acumen Fund as champion marketers of the world’s problems and most useful solutions.
So, do you have what it takes to search for the obvious?
Challenge yourself
and find out.
Taylor Ray, Business Development Fellow at
Acumen Fund
, recently watched “
Baby Stucke behind couch!
”
Watch country duo Sugarland LIVE from New York City!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Tonight the award-winning country act Sugarland performs in Times Square, marking one of the final stops in their 2010 tour. The show will be live streamed at 9 p.m. (ET) at
www.youtube.com/sugarlandvevo
and will be directed by Kenny Ortega, whose notable work includes
High School Musical
,
This Is It
, and
Dirty Dancing
.
Lead singer Jennifer Nettles and guitarist/vocalist Kristian Bush extend a personal invitation to you:
Expect to hear all their platinum hits, as well as a sneak peek from new release
The Incredible Machine
which comes out later this week. Also keep an eye out for special guest appearances from
Ronnie Dunn
(of Brooks and Dunn) and country vocal quartet
Little Big Town
.
Sugarland spent some time with director Kenny Ortega this week in preparation for the live stream. The man who directed Michael Jackson (
This Is It
) also offered up some suggestions for Jennifer and Kristian’s choreography:
This is the third installment of the
“Unstaged” series
brought to you by YouTube, American Express and Vevo. The online experience kicks off with a pre-show that includes a special interview during which the band answers questions that were tweeted earlier this week. At showtime, fans can also participate by picking from three camera angles (including a new “Front Row” cam) or by voting on what song the duo should play as an encore.
If you miss the stream this evening, tune in for highlights from the show on
Sugarland’s channel
shortly thereafter.
Dana Vetter, Music Manager, Marketing Programs, recently watched "
Stuck Like Glue
"
A digital filmmaker’s map to the web
Friday, October 15, 2010
Heather Menicucci, Director,
Howcast Filmmakers Program,
is writing weekly guest posts for the YouTube blog on filmmaking in the digital age. This is her third post.
Every time I talk to a filmmaker, I learn about a new (often, just new-to-me) website for filmmakers I should check out. I email and text myself the links. Intent on eventually spending some time on the sites, I keep multiple tabs open on my browser. Needless to say, it’s hard to keep track of them all. I thought consolidating a list of the sites I’ve come across through recommendations, articles, and conferences would be helpful to me, and hopefully you, too. So, here I go, with one disclaimer: this list is not exhaustive. I tried to stick to key categories but if I wanted to cover everything cool going on on the web for filmmakers, I’d have to quit my day job. Got another recommendation? Share it in the comments below!
Sites to help you....be in the know
Filmmaker magazine
Simply put, if you’re an independent film and video creator, and you’re not reading Filmmaker Magazine, or, dare I say a member of the
Independent Feature Project
, you are seriously missing out. Period.
IndieWire
IndieWire is all the indie industry news -- big to small. Want to get some
costume ideas
based on movies of the year? Interested in the
hoopla over NC-17 ratings
and when they began? They’ve got a network of bloggers and you’ll soon find your favorites.
WorkBook Project
Founded by Lance Weiler, WorkBook Project is not just articles and blog posts. It’s an open collaborative network that covers the most exciting creative work happening on the web. You can explore case studies, hear thought-provoking interviews, attend workshops, and pick up the tools you need to launch your own web or multi-platform project.
Cinematech
Of all the things you can read of Scott Kirsner’s, I actually suggest his books, which you can download off his blog, linked
here
. Scott is out there talking with filmmakers about new technology and sharing all his knowledge along the way at festivals (I heard him at SXSW), conferences (he started
The Conversation
), and in his books, of which my favorite is
Fans, Friends And Followers: Building An Audience And A Creative Career In The Digital Age
.
....distribute
YouTube Rentals
Obviously, you know about YouTube or you wouldn’t be here. But, are you familiar with YouTube rentals? I got to sit in on a talk about the feature at SXSW this year and I think it’s a really intriguing option for filmmakers looking to share short films and longer work and make some money on screening. It’s one way the web is putting distribution and monetization in the hands of creators by letting them control who watches and set the prices for their work.
Snagfilms
Snagfilms distributes documentaries from longtime masters as well as emerging filmmakers. Viewers can watch free, and documentarians, who have historically had a difficult time getting wide distribution, can tap into a growing viewer network.
OpenIndie
Started by Arin Crumley, OpenIndie, which is still in beta, aims to be a way for filmmakers to coordinate and launch their own theatrical screenings by connecting them with audiences and exhibitors directly. The exciting idea is based on the Crumley’s own
distribution model
for
Four Eyed Monsters
, which he co-directed.
...connect
ShootingPeople
Want to know what projects others filmmakers are up to? Take a workshop? Find someone to animate your open sequence? Get a new gig? ShootingPeople is the place to network with other filmmakers online (and in person -- lots of cities host nights out for “shooters”).
Ning
Hopefully you use Facebook and Twitter for things other than planning poker night. Both are excellent platforms for connecting with audiences and potential collaborators. You may not know about Ning though. With Ning you can create your own social network around your film, the topic of your film, or filmmaking in general. It’s a very turnkey solution for engaging with an audience and I think it offers a more dynamic experience for your fans and audiences than a blog alone.
....learn new tricks
CreativeCow
When a filmmaker writes in with an editing question our Post team can’t solve we head to the CreativeCow forums. There is an unbelievable amount of expertise you can easily tap into.
Videomaker
When a filmmaker writes in with a question about a camera or software, we head to Videomaker. They’ve also got a really nice stable of nuts and bolts tutorials on things like lighting and green screen.
NYVS
I just learned about New York Video School and I think it’s going to be a really easy way to pick up new or polish up old skills. They’re building a comprehensive suite of “courses” that include videos on things like choosing a hard drive and uploading to YouTube.
...make some money
Kickstarter
If you haven’t heard about Kickstarter yet, you may be spending too much time in the edit room. It seems like every week I see a new project being funded on Kickstarter in my Facebook feed...and I contribute. Kickstarter makes fundraising painless (compared to calling Mom and Dad or going to door-to-door) for the filmmaker and fun for the fans to take part in a project.
IndieGoGo
IndieGoGo offers filmmakers another digital fundraising option and, now, through, access to some distribution platforms like iTunes and Netflex.
Howcast Emerging Filmmakers Program
Hey, if I didn’t think we offer filmmakers an excellent way to get experience and pick up some extra cash, I wouldn’t be here. Many of our filmmakers call Howcast videos their “fun work.” If you’re familiar with
our videos
, you know we give filmmakers a ton of creative freedom -- it’s great for their reels and their pocketbooks. Also worth checking out:,
TurnHere
,
Demand
, and
StudioNow
who offer programs for freelancers with different projects, requirements, and rates.
....compete
OnlineVideoContests
Though I’ve entered plenty and never won, I’ve always been a sucker for video contests. OVC is the place to find out who’s giving away $500 for a :30-spot and who’s doling out $10,000 for a 3-minute music video.
Withoutabox
Long gone are the days of mailing VHS tapes in manila envelopes. Withoutabox has brought film festival application into the digital age. Apply, apply, apply way!
Filmaka
Filmaka hosts monthly competitions that boast jury members like Wim Wenders and Werner Herzog -- a pretty unique chance for exposure among industry leaders.
Poptent
Poptent works with some major brands to bring commercial work to filmmakers all over the world. Download the requirements and upload your video. If your work is selected by that brand you could be looking at a new client and a paycheck.
Overwhelmed by all the new information? Subscribe to these sites’ newsletters and YouTube channels, follow them on Twitter, and become a fan on Facebook -- let their news comes to you.
Heather Menicucci, Director,
Howcast Filmmakers Program
, recently watched
“Flower Warfare: Behind the Scenes
." Come back next Friday for another session of our “Modern 101 for Emerging Digital Filmmakers."
Viewers say 'You have our undivided attention'
Friday, October 15, 2010
How much television did you watch yesterday? A half hour? Three? If you're anything like the average American, you watched for five hours (according to a
Nielsen study
). Five. Hours. For some, that's 30% of your waking day. In truth, 'watching' is a relative term. TV often provides background noise in many households, and people are rarely focused on the content alone.
Contrast that to watching YouTube or other online video, and, as an advertiser, you might think twice about where your ad dollars are best invested. You want your money where viewers are engaged. A new study that Google conducted with Next New Networks and Magid revealed that viewers of web original content (think
Funny Or Die
,
Machinima
, or
Key of Awesome
) are 2.5 times more likely to pay full attention to online video than they are to pay full attention to the TV show they are watching. Advertising Age
discussed the research in-depth
last Friday.
This type of engagement makes sense, when you consider the very social and viral nature of web original content. Let's say a friend emails you a link to
something they found funny
. Or you wonder if 'The Social Network' is going to
live up to the hype
. With web originals, you're in control of the content, and it takes a fresher, more topical format than mainstream TV. It is also a lot easier to devote your full attention to a 3 minute video than a 30 minute show. When people are engaged, they can also be educated, informed, and persuaded. They are also likely to share content with their friends. 23% of the YouTube sample said they go on to email video links to friends or post links to Facebook or MySpace. This is the new definition of word of mouth.
Similarly, when it comes to video advertising associated with web original video versus TV, web original viewing proves to be advantageous in several areas. Web original viewers are less likely to:
Fast forward through ads (compared to those who watch TV shows using a DVR)
Talk to other people
Browse the Internet while watching
Do things around the house
Furthermore, the study indicated that significant proportions of web original video viewers take advantage of the medium's interactive elements:
More than half read comments posted by others
Nearly half rate the videos
Four in ten share the videos with others
Three-quarters say they use some means to tell others about their favorite Web original videos, with significant proportions using email, social networking sites, and conversation
If you're interested in more points of the study, check out
Next New Network's release
. This is further evidence that, on YouTube, you have the audience’s attention. What you say to them is up to you..
Rick Silvestrini, Product Marketing Manager, recently watched "
Between Two Ferns Zach Galifianakis: Ben Stiller
."
Tune into YouTube Play: Live at the Guggenheim on October 21
Friday, October 15, 2010
Next week the
YouTube Play jury
will announce the top 25 videos that it selected from the 23,000 submissions received. We’re busy working with the Guggenheim to make sure that this announcement is like no other. Right now we can’t tell you who those 25 are, but we can tell you a little about the gala we’re going to throw to celebrate it.
YouTube Play: Live from the Guggenheim
will be a live streamed event featuring music, collaborations, eye-popping projections and, of course, the most creative video. If you’re in New York, you can catch some of the projections on the façade of the Guggenheim on the night of October 21. If you’re not, then head to
youtube.com/play
on October 21 to catch the event live, starting at 8 p.m. ET.
So, who’s going to be there? Here’s a sneak peek of the lineup:
OK Go:
The Chicago-based four-piece have torn up the rulebook with their music videos, picking up a Grammy and tens of millions of views in the process.
"This Too Shall Pass"
is in the YouTube Play shortlist.
Kutiman:
"ThruYOU"
was named one of
Time Magazine’s top 50 best inventions for 2009
, and is also in the shortlist. Kutiman shot to fame by compiling musical elements from across YouTube; at the Guggenheim, he’ll be choreographing a unique live collaboration.
Michael Showalter:
The MC for the evening is also the star of Comedy Central’s
Michael and Michael Have Issues
, has a hit online with CollegeHumor.com’s
"The Michael Showalter Showalter
," and used to be on
The Daily Show
.
That’s it for now. You’re going to have to head to
youtube.com/play
on the night to find out who made the top 25 and what things really look like when YouTube meets the Guggenheim.
Tom Pursey, Product Marketing Manager, recently watched "
TOM WAITS THEME FOR IRON MAN 2 (REJECTED)."
Tips for partners: LinusTechTips shares how he found his niche
Thursday, October 14, 2010
In our series of partner optimization tips, we covered
metadata
with
Betty
from
BettysKitchen
, how to use
playlists and annotations
with
Zack
from
ZackScott
, and how to
find your niche
and analyze the performance of your videos. Now, we’re excited to have Linus from
LinusTechTips
show us how he found his niche with videos on unboxing tech products and how he uses YouTube Insight to track the performance of his videos.
It took Linus some time and multiple attempts before he found his niche as a “Professional Unboxer.” When Linus started his channel, he began to use
YouTube Insight
to figure out which of his videos were most popular. He realized he had found his specialty when he got thousands of views on his unboxing of the
Radeon 5770 Direct X11 video card
, which to this day remains one of his highest viewed videos. Since Linus joined the partner program in 2009, his focus has been making videos on product unboxings and reviews. He specializes in unboxing video cards, like the
GeForce GTS 450
and the
Radeon 5750
. He also has a great line of
custom t-shirts
for the unboxing enthusiast.
This one
is a crowd favorite.
You can also check this video out on his
Watch Page
. Let us know in the comments section of Linus’ video if you have great tips to share on using YouTube Insight or if you have feedback for Linus. We’d also love to hear how your videos have been impacted once you have used some of these tips to analyze the performance of your videos.
Julie Kikla and Mah
in Ibrahim, Account Managers, YouTube Partnerships recently watched “
Movie Trailer Proposal
.”
The YouTube Symphony Orchestra returns!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The world’s first online collaborative orchestra is back, and this time a new round of performers will be playing their part onstage at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
It seems like just yesterday that Carnegie Hall was abuzz with a sold-out performance that made
headlines
around
the globe
. Ninety-six musicians arrived in New York City, from over 30 countries, to perform together after uploading an audition video and then being chosen by the YouTube community to be a part of the exciting event. We are thrilled to invite you to audition for the
YouTube Symphony Orchestra 2011
.
In addition to the new locale, this “second act” includes another new element: “Mothership,” a musical work from composer
Mason Bates
. Right now, it’s still missing something: an improvisation provided by you. Take a listen to it here and start planning your contribution.
This time there are two ways to audition, for the classical audition perform the pieces listed on the channel according to instrument. For the opportunity to contribute your own creation, choose the solo improviser—it doesn’t matter if you play trumpet, viola or didgeridoo. If you proceed to the final stages, you will join musicians from around the world in a week-long music summit with Grammy-award-winning conductor
Michael Tilson Thomas
, who returns to guide the orchestra.
The YouTube Symphony Orchestra 2011 is a collaboration with partners the Sydney Symphony, the London Symphony Orchestra, Berliner Philharmoniker and many other leading institutions of the classical music world. This event is being made possible by Hyundai.
Michele Flannery, Music Manager, recently watched “
Eucalyptus Didgeridoo Solo
”
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