Free, Royalty-Free Music June 30, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Making Videos , 13commentsIt’s really easy to find royalty-free music (if you don’t mind paying $600 for a cheesy collection). And it’s quite easy to find free music (but use it at your legal peril). But free and royalty-free rarely meet.
Kevin MacLeod, creator of Incomeptech, has solved the problem. He has dozens and dozens of excellent instrumentals available for free download and royalty-free use. And they’re good. Even better you can search by the genre (jazz, horror and my favorite “silent film score”) or query by “feel” (bouncy, aggressive, somber).
If you’re a musician looking to publicize your music or ability to create custom video scores for money, what better way than to establish a library of of your tunes that people can use in exchange for credit?
It’s working for Kevin. He asks for a credit (and PayPal donation) and he’s already popping up at the end of literally hundreds of YouTube videos.
He’s the sound behind my “Crawling Through Airport” including many others (not the intro song, but the quirky instrumental that gives life to the clip).
NOTE: A few people have contacted me directly about offering music for my videos (in exchange for credit). I’m always looking for more. If you have music you don’t mind sharing, please comment below with your URL. Wordpress might put your comment in temporary purgatory if it contains a URL but I’ll approve it. Send an e-mail to kevinnalts at gmail dot com if you don’t see it in a day.
Kids Today Want Praise in Workworld June 30, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Online Video , 2comments
Kids today. “A bump in pay may not be the best way to retain young talent,” says the Tuscon Citizen. “A shiny trophy and a glowing memo might do the trick for the men and women who are coming up behind ‘Generation X.’”
Buns and Chou Chou from RabbitBites were kind enough to have me be their “roving street reporter” in this episode (which appears on Salon.com’s Video Dog). We met with some of today’s youth to understand what they expect from their employers. And it ‘aint pretty.
Is Amateur Online-Video Under Siege by Hollywood and Madison Avenue? June 30, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Future of Online Video, Making Videos, Online Video, Video Advertising, Video Business, advertising, viral videologist , 8comments“Viral videos are on their way out.
You’re the Chia Pet of 2007.”
That’s from an e-mail sent last night from my sister, who produces for a major television network on the west coast.
There seems to be a great skepticism about amateur video’s endurance when the competitive Huns from Hollywood and Madison-Avenue Mongolians are storming the castle. Can will Ferrell make better videos than Nalts? Surely. Is there a proliferation of horrible consumer-generated ads? Indisputably. But we’re overlooking something here.
Here’s a Q&A I did with Xlntads Acting CEO Neil Perry for iMediaConnection. The title was “Agencies Can You Cope with Candid Camera.” Interestingly I’ve had several discussions with media in the past week about this “viral creators vs agencies” issue.
Those deep in the entrainment and marketing industries don’t want to believe that amateur online-video content is worthy of attention or has legs. Reporters (see this piece by Bob Garfield of AdAge as an example) seem to have deep doubts about the sustainability of amateur video creation to drive brands. I say “bolderdash” (what does that mean anyway?).
Please consider these questions:
- How long has it taken large agencies to understand paid search? A decade?
- Will the need for video content increase or decrease as new media evolves/
- As audiences fragment into social media and niche websites, what do you project as the production cost of building relevant content to not 3-4 segments but dozens? Can you afford $250K productions or would it be easier to leverage the knowledge and “permissions” of people in those social networks?
- On the entertainment side, does the entertainment machine (auditions, talent representatives, SAG, studios, production houses, etc.) ensure that the best talent rises to the forefront? Or is conceivable that there’s amazing talent lurking that doesn’t have interest in quitting their day job and moving to Hollywood? Does the democratization of online video (coupled with the low barriers to entry) mean we’ll have better entertainers in the next decade?
Think about what American Idol did to find hidden gems that would never have hit our ear drums. Is it possible that a major 2009 film star is, today, entertaining 50 subscribers with his webcam in Ohio, where he has no resources or knowledge to find an agent much less know whose ass to kiss to get a bit role on a sitcom that’s 2 weeks from cancellation?
So you can see that the window for amateur-created content is certainly not closing in the next 5-10 years. And I’ll argue (and this I have to credit to Garfield) that the “brass ring” will go to the niche agency that figures out how to harness the power of good video creators and help brands reach the long-tail.
Long term, Hollywood will find ways to get mine for amateur entertainment gold. And Eventually ad agencies will figure out not just how to repurpose broadcast ads into 30-second pre-rolls but how to create engaging video content that gets passed around (this is currently a rare skillset for large marketing agencies). But there’s more to this than that, and there are also two things the agencies lack. First, they don’t live in the viral video space full-time so they don’t know the rules of social networking. Second, unlike the LonelyGirl15 and HappySlips they don’t have embedded audiences. As online video grows, we’ll see prime video creators with regular audiences that rival television shows.
You can also read this Q&A on Politics & YouTube in Review.
Online Video Book June 29, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Online Video , 4comments
As long-time readers of WillVideoForFood.com may recall, I’ve been procrastinating a book about online video for longer than a pregnancy. I’ve been trying to find a co-author that can keep the piece on track, but obviously can’t afford a spiffy ghost writer.
In the meantime, it seems someone has beat me to the punch. CinemaTech author Scott Kirsner has written “The Future of Web Video” and is selling it on Lulu.com.
Pearl is Back with Will Ferrell. For the Last Time. :( June 29, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Killer Video, Online Video, Viral Video, popular videos , 1 comment so farLandlord Pearl now plays Lieutenant Pearl in the latest FunnyorDie video featuring Will Ferrell. It’s called “Good Cop, Baby Copy,” but it’s unfortunately her last video.
FunnyorDie is a collaboration between Will Ferrell and Adam McKay (who directed Ferrell in “Anchorman,” and “Talladega Nights” and wrote for him for ”Saturday Night Live”). Michael Kvamme, a partner at Sequoia Capital (YouTube’s venture capital firm), approached the duo about launching a video-sharing site devoted exclusively to comedy. (Creative Artists Agency, the Hollywood talent agency that represents Ferrell and McKay, also has a stake.)
The Landlord was Pearl’s debut with Will Farrell. If FunnyOrDie’s view tracker is accurate, writes the Washington Post, “The Landlord” has been viewed — if the site’s view tracker is accurate — over 36 million times, making it among the most popular viral videos ever posted on the Internet.
Pearl is McKay’s daughter, and he has been criticized for letting his child appear in a foul-mouthed piece like this. As a fellow parent who exploits my kids, I say IGNORE IT ADAM MCCAY! Pearl is too young to remember these videos. And by the time she’s old enough to have people explain it to her, she won’t even be recognized (and the buzz will have faded). I understand why McKay is now turning down requests to put Pearl in films. But I think the global joy Pearl brings (when contrasted with Ferrell in these videos) is a good enough reason to shoot a couple more.
The Pearl series has placed FunnyOrDie on the “online-video map” in what seems like an overnight sensation. Celebrities are now pouring onto the site. The Washington Post lists confirmed future participants as Jack McBrayer, Bill Murray, Eva Longoria, Li’l John, Danny DeVito, John C. Reilly and Sally Jessy Raphael who will join Will Ferrell, Kevin Nalts, Ed Helms, Jimmy Fallon, Brooke Shields, Jeremy Piven, Jenna Elfman, Michael Cera, James Franco, Rob Corddry and Jason Biggs. Okay- I snuck one name in there.
Does “Good Cop, Bad Baby” live up to “Landlord”? Who cares. Pearl and Ferrell are in the top .00005 of good content online and the delta between these two are rounding errors. It’s comedic brilliance, and a welcome threat to amateur video clowns.
In related news, check out this brilliant mashup of Pearl and Alec Baldwin by Tori Weber.
Scary Day for Heinz Ketchup June 28, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Video Advertising, Viral Video, advertising , 3comments
The Church of Dave is back with another contest entry. He’s the guy that taught Dove to develop thick skin before playing in the consumer-generated advertising space. And now here’s his entry to the “Heinz Top This” Challenge.
Consumer Generated Ads (iMedia Connection) June 28, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Future of Online Video, Making Videos, Online Video, Video Advertising, advertising, viral videologist , 5comments
Here’s a new Q&A I did for iMedia Connection that addresses some of the issues surrounding consumer-generated advertising. Interview by Neil Perry of Xlntads.com (and former executive from McDonalds).
Viral Video Roadkill: MS Windows Certified June 26, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Online Video, Viral Video , 10comments
Sorry, Microsoft Windows Vista. You’ve created roadkill. So horrible we have to stare.
I hereby nominate your ProductsofChampions.com into the WillVideoforFood Viral Video Hall of Shame. This “viral video” site — which features an annoying George-Bush style football coach — is wrong for so, so many reasons. I would pay money to hear the agency and the brand collaborating around this hopeless concept. Let me start the list of what’s wrong with this, and I’m going to stop when I get too bored or annoyed to look further:
- What’s the point? I don’t know what I’m supposed to think or do.
- The coach just isn’t funny. The humor is soggy.
- The homepage rotates the coach’s annoying quips without giving the viewer an easy chance to muzzle him (unless they notice a tiny mute in the corner).
- There’s no way to move into a purchase, enrollment, inquiry. It’s just a big, fat brochure.
- The site is riddled with “flashterbation.” Pointless indulgence of flash.
- The videos are awkwardly devoid of purpose or entertainment.
This is a page out of the “Intel Inside” marketing play book, but it fumbles. Someone forgot to ask the basic questions. What information need are we solving? What do we want the visitor to do or believe? How can we engage them?
Four Steps to Finding and Buying Your Dream Digital-Video Camera (Butterfly) June 26, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : video cameras , 17comments(Click to see video about this post)
Each day someone asks me what digital camera to buy. Each day, I promise myself I’ll write a blog entry that reviews my favorites. For most of my 300 plus online videos I’ve used a Panasonic PV-GS120. I now use a Canon HV20. I researched them both vigorously.
My system for finding a good camera has 4 stages:
First, ask yourself what you’re after. If you need to update your digital still camera and don’t mind lower resolution video, you may want to get a combination (still and video) device like the Digital Canon A630-A640. If you want high quality HDTV, you’re looking at the Canon HV20 as the lowest-cost entry (or some Panasonic prosumer choices that are elegant but a bit bulky). I loved the Panasonic but I wasn’t about to carry a camera that made me look like a pro.
If you’re like most people, you’re somewhere in the middle and want a decent $300-$600 digital video camera.
Next, see what experts like. I start with independent, credible aggregators like ConsumerReports (which often lags on reporting electronics), ZDNet and PCMag’s “editor’s choices.”
ConsumerReports is my most trusted source, but I’ve found it lags on electronic reviews (sometimes by a ridiculous period: This link is to a thorough review available by subscription only. But it’s dated November 2004). The website will provide thorough buyer’s guides and thorough comparison charts (some require membership). The non-profit has started to provide more real-time reports on certain electronic categories. Here’s the digital camera reviews & buying guide.- PCMag is my overall favorite source, but it’s tricky to navigate. I hone in on a few models that share high rankings (and then compare its editor choices with those of other sources). For instance, here’s the PCMag editor’s choice on digital video cameras (and here’s the reviews for digital still cameras). They’re in love with Sony, but I’ve never been a fan since I made the horrible mistake of buying digital still cams by Sony. Be careful as you navigate PCMag, because one minute you’re reading an editorial review and the next you’ve stumbled into some low-rent site hawking cheap electronics. The lines between editorial and ads are as faded as my 8-year-old’s jeans.
- Then you can validate your models via ZDNet’s digital photo and video reviews. I can’t attest to the objectivity of this site, but it’s easy to use and fairly thorough. You’re never far from a price and a crappy vendor that will sell you the product for curiously low prices (if you don’t mind having it with no internal parts).
- CNet has its own digital video camera and camcorder reviews’ site. It’s okay.
- PCWorld has a dated but nice piece on miniDV camcorders.
Third, read the consumer reviews. Most online retailers like Amazon will invite consumers to rate the devices. Often you can find some rich reviews like those of ePinions before they “jumped the shark” and became a commerce site that stopped attracting good reviews. You need to be especially careful reading these and focus on patterns. NEVER let one review shape your opinion because they could be a disgruntled customer or a review placed by an employee of the manufacturer.
Finally, don’t under estimate where you buy. As much as I love buying from the web - especially Amazon.com or B&P - I tend to frequent Best Buy and Circuit City. Best Buy is low pressure, but Circuit City sometimes tries to upsell you. The prices are reasonable at both stores, and the weekly shopper has really good deals. The selections are streamlined, and the employees are (with some exception) fairly informed. I like asking the electronic employees what model they own, and which one they’d buy if they bought today. Most importantly, if you can stomach the overpriced guarantee programs then you know that you can return your camera if you have problems. Without having to get on the phone and ship things.
If you’ve recently researched $300-$600 digital video cameras, please post what you selected below. I haven’t been through that process in a while, but there’s a great demand for guidance here.
Butterfly: Using this tag word so people can find this post from a video I’ve done on this subject.
Update Sept. 29 2007: Blog post about Consumer Reports.
It Hurts When PC Magazine Says You’re Not Cool Anymore June 26, 2007
Posted by Nalts in : Online Video , 4comments
Poor Google and YouTube. PC Magazine, which we closet-nerds hide better than teenagers with Playboy, is now saying the two sites have lost their cool. They’ve “sold out.”
Says this article about YouTube: “It was much more fun watching stupid videos online when A) it was counterculture and possibly even illegal (see “Lazy Sunday”); B) Google wasn’t indexing all your searches to deliver more relevant ads; C) You weren’t privy to the net worth of the site’s founders.”
The article continues: “The Web is littered with these sites and services. Some, like Napster, have faded into obscurity as they’ve gone legit. Others, like MySpace, just become bigger and, arguably, less cool. We liked all of the sites presented here much better before they started chasing profitability, mainstream acceptance, and/or legality.”
Sorry, PCMag. I love you. But this article is so out of character for you. If chasing legality, profitability and mainstream acceptance means you’re “selling out” than let’s examine your advertising-to-content ratio of your last three issues. And let’s take a look at your own horrendously commercial user interface that pushes content to commerce with the agility of a drunk guy hitting on a gaggle of bachelorettes.
Common, John C. Dvorak. Bring it on…