Spinal Tap Returns April 27, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Online Video , 9commentsSpinal Tap is returning to raise awareness of “Live Earth,” a series of events that will occur on July 7, 2007. The events are focused on bringing attention to global warming.
It’s amazing to watch this considering how many times we’ve all watched Spinal Tap. But I wish it was 5 3 minute videos instead of 15.
New YouTube CEO April 27, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : YouTube , 16commentsVan Stahr from YouTube made a video to promote his new petition.
A petition to make me the new CEO of YouTube. I hate to support a hostile takeover of Chad and Steven, but they haven’t invited me into the advertising revenue-sharing program yet.
As the new CEO I will allow creators to control how much advertising appears on their channel, and share revenue with them. I will also move corporate offices to the PA/NJ area, and find a business excuse for that later.
Nalts Does Webby Awards; Chicken Prank April 26, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Video, Viral Video, viral videologist , 7commentsMy “Blackberry Crackberry” is an “official honoree” for the 11th annual Webby Awards. There’s not much else to say about this. Just credentializing because I’m hopelessly insecure.
Still, I posted today my favorite of my recent videos. It’s called “Chicken Prank.” Here’s the premise. A father forces his son to dress in a chicken suit and hand out fliers for his new fast-food chicken joint. The son is miserable and confides in potential customers that the chicken is horrible. The “candid-camera” style video showcased too interesting socialogical lessons:
- People will lie to protect a kid from a mean dad.
- Nobody seems to notice the camera if you put them in an odd enough situation.
I can boast about this video because all I did was create the circumstance, hold the camera and edit. Spencer (the friend of my nephew who is now a weblebrity after his “Farting in Public” video) played the son. And YouTube King Pipistrello played the father. Brilliant performances and improv on both of their parts.
Veoh Goes with Brightroll to Support Ad-Share Model April 26, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Online Video, Video Sites, advertising , 6commentsA letter from Veoh:
In the coming months, Veoh will be launching advertising and revenue sharing with Pro Publishers. We are building our own advertising technology to suit the needs of our publishers and audience, but in the meantime, we have decided to investigate external possibilities.
Over the next week, we will run a trial with a company called Brightroll, to see if their technology suits the advertising needs of our platform, our publishers, and potential advertisers. During the trial, you may see post-roll advertising on your videos.
Anyone making money on Veoh?
Eefoof Now VuMe April 26, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Online Video , 5comments
Eefoof changed to VuMe.com (”view me”). Company has Revver-like ad sharing model but never really worked out for me or others I know. If you’ve had any luck making money on Eefoof or VuMe please comment.
Ketchup Contest April 24, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Contest, Online Video, advertising , 14comments
What do you do when you hold a ketchup contest and about half of the entries are from one guy? Here’s Heinz’s YouTube site, and here’s the gratuitous contest site the agency presumably convinced the brand to build (equiped with auto-rolling video- ick).
Still, it’s a good brand for a contest, isn’t it? Who can’t have fun with ketchup?
We should buy Heinz by the gallon the way my kids ingest it. And of course I would no more buy another brand than I would dare stray from Morton’s salt. Can you imagine eating generic ketchup or salt? Life’s too short for that.
Ouch. The Fine Line Between “Storytelling” and Inauthenticity April 23, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Future of Online Video, Killer Video, Making Videos, Online Video, Video Sites, Viral Video, YouTube, popular videos , 50comments
Online-video has rules, and I’ve broken one. And I don’t care.
A while back two YouTubers (myself and CharlesTrippy) did a fake feud on YouTube that created something of a backlash. Our loyal subscribers were outraged that Charles and I would give out each other’s cell phones to torment the other (see Charles’ video, then my fake response). So they came to our defense, and two Trippy fans even came to my house and assaulted me. Naturally, the cell numbers were fake and directed callers to a “Rejection Hotline.” Few understood this, however, because they didn’t call the numbers. I had to apologize and Trippy even renamed his video to disclaim it as a joke.
Like a dog returning to his vomit, I’ve done another fictional series where I pretend to stalk Renetto(one of the more prominent YouTubers) to seek advice on becoming a YouTube celebrity. Paul Robinett and I taped these early last Friday when I found out he was going to be in Baltimore- a short drive from me.
- In the first video, Renetto plays the role of egomaniac who, begrudgingly, agrees to give me some tips on increasing my YouTube fame.
- In the second video, he shaves my head so I can look as cool as he does.
Renetto also made his own primer to these, in which he teases his audience with news that Nalts (me) is stalking him. He then “book ends”the series by showing himself restless and depressed because of the events, and his father lamenting him for affiliating with Nalts. His dad even demanded I take the videos down- which I actually fell for.
So what’s the point of my sharing this YouTube drama with you, dear WillVideoforFood readers?
It brings up an interesting sociological issue about online videos. Is fiction allowed? Not according to many of the hundreds of comments. Said one: “I thought you were honest, Nalts. I’m unsubscribing.”
As I’m reminded, YouTube is not just a video-distribution channel, it’s a community.
Like any communities, there are rules established by the democracy. Renetto’s lure is that he stirs the community’s pot by setting such rules as “thow shall not post on LiveVideo.” In the video, he raises questions about loyalty among YouTube creators that post elsewhere. He also provoked people by asking “why aren’t there more black people on YouTube.”
One rule the community established is that authenticity is a requirement. I reject that rule. Many of my videos involve fiction, and even “tricking” the viewer for a surprise effect. For example, Google Buttcrack is clearly fiction. And I didn’t get run over by a car when I hid in a trashcan.
And many of my videos are essentially bedtime stories. Make believe. I don’t disclaim them as such, because that would be awkward and would break the suspension of belief.
I do support honesty in videos to the extent that I typically “debrief” the gag. For example, I’m editing a “behind the scenes” video of the Renetto/Nalts shaved-head series. And I believe we especially have to be transparent if we’re doing a video that is sponsored by someone (fortunately my sponsors have always agreed).
But what’s wrong with drama and fiction? Doesn’t storytelling have as much of a place in online video as it does in every other medium? I’m especially interested in those of you who may have an opposing viewpoint. I’d like to understand this more.
Thanks, Revver April 19, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Revver, YouTube , 27comments
Wow. I’ve been so busy with YouTube that I almost forgot about Revver. And when I popped by for a visit, there wasn’t any “where the hell have you been” guilt. In fact I found myself at the top of the featured creators. Thanks, guys. The link appears to be down currently, but that’s part of Revver’s magic.
In case you’ve been sleeping under a rock, Revver shares ad revenue with creators. If I could somehow get the views I get on YouTube with the revenue from Revver I could probably start digging my way out of debt.
Still Waiting for That Call from YouTube April 19, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Online Video, YouTube, advertising , 12commentsMy favorite roving reporter, Alex Delyle (TheDailyReel), reports that Variety reports that YouTube may share ad revenue… some… day…. soon.
Says Variety:
Content creators who upload their videos to the site will be offered the option of having short ads shown at the beginning or end, with the resulting revenues split 50-50, according to Howard Lindzon, founder of Wallstrip, a finance-oriented site that distributes videos through.
Alex wouldn’t have ended that sentence with a preposition. Neither would have Felicia- who is starting to OutMicki Micki. Just kidding, Mickipedia.
If you haven’t subscribed to Felicia’s TDR podcast, I’d recommend it. Here’s the RSS address.
MyBowlAd Gives Video Creators & Brands a Discount Cameo on Superbowl April 17, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Making Videos, Online Video, Video Advertising, Video Business, Video Contests, advertising , 3commentsMyBowlAd.com is offering a chance for average Joe’s and low-budget brands to appear on a 30-second Superbowl ad. In this video on YouTube, viewers are encouraged to submit a video response to enter. Meanwhile the three guys sponsoring the initiative hope to raise funds by selling a one to five seconds of advertising for $15-$100K (depending on whether a logo appears on a t-shirt or sign, and for what duration).
Is $15-$100K worth a second of airtime? I’m guessing it will be for mid-sized brands that want to demonstrate that they’re playing in consumer-generated media and that desperately want to appear in the Superbowl but can’t afford the average $2.7 million for 30 seconds. Naturally success depends on two things:
- Can these guys garner at least $2.7 million worth of advertisers by their summer deadline? This will take some serious PR and selling.
- Will the “buzz” around this provide perceived benefits beyond the 1-5 seconds of branding? I’m thinking this is pretty safe.
Source: Dylan’s Couch (CinemaFreaks).