Category Archives: Making Videos

Video Resolution to Get Worse Before Better

old-cam.jpgWe're all getting used to crappy video online. It may stream quickly, but it's a pixelated as Atari's original Space Invaders.

Will this improve soon? Not for the most part. Sure some of us will upgrade to higher end pro-sumer video cameras ($3000-$10,000). And broadband will allow for higher file-size uplpoads than the typical 100 meg cap. But the vast majority of us will start using our video-enabled cell phones to capture a lot of spontanious, viral videos. So in aggregate, the videos of 2007 will be even uglier than 2006.

Bandwidth isn't yet an issue online, but keep in mind that Japan's wireless broadband is signficantly faster than what you're using now to connect at home. There won't be an incentive for cell providers in the U.S. to bring us high definition video cameras because nobody will want to spend 5-10 minutes sending their video clips to their buddy. So until cell phone pipes expand in the U.S., we're going to be stuck with grainy footage for a while.

The high-end sites will boast broadcast-like quality video, but the vast majority of consumer-generated video will look worst next year. Let's hope that I'm wrong or that someone's creating a software to enhance videos.

… Like in the movies when they turn a 10-pixel image of some guy at his desk into a "Kodak clear" image, in which you can read the legal print on the memo on his desk. Does that bother anyone else, or am I just a geek (don't feel obliged to answer that)?

YouTube is a Giant Conference Call

concall.jpgI've been trying to figure out how YouTube managed to surpass video-sharing sites like Break.com, despite arriving to the market far later. Then it occured to me what may already be obvious to you. Most video sites are searchable television stations… putting the visitor in command to find video that appeals.

YouTube, however, is a giant conference call. It's made up of video posters watching and commenting on other video posters. They're connected, they have popularity (or lack of), and they react to each other. YouTube has recently launched the ability to send a video reaction to someone's video (instead of just leaving a comment). It's closer to MySpace in the social networking aspect. And it's what people want out of online video.

So despite previous posts, I think there will be a future for YouTube after the "wild west" era of copyright protection ends. It won't be as dramatic, but it will be there.

Interestingly, though, some of the popular video creators of YouTube are starting to migrate their content to other channels that give them income. For instance, YouTube idol, Morbeck, began posting on Revver.com (a site that gives creators half of the revenue generated by ad clicks). Others (like ZeFrank) are posting via Revver and asking people not to post it on YouTube or other online video sites.

Panasonic Video Contest for Action Sports Clips

My first camera was a Panasonic. I called her Panny. I'd bring her to parties and make $200 videotaping the event. I'd also throw it on my shoulder whenever I got stuck in an awkward conversation- it works even better than the "I need to fill my drink" line.

Anyway, here's a Panasonic contest.  You have until mid July to enter… and we all know that entries will roll in about an hour before the deadline. For example, the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang contest had about 10 entries yesterday, and 40 today (deadline was at midnight).

Panasonic challenges filmmakers to show what "Share the Air" means to them in the form of a 24-second action sports film. Submitted videos will be reviewed and evaluated by Panasonic and renowned action sports filmmakers Ty Evans and Aaron Meza. Two Grand Prize Winners will each win a Panasonic HD video package worth over $16,000, including the new state-of-the-art AG-HVX200 High Definition camcorder, and $5,000 cash. Winning submissions will also be considered for national broadcast as Panasonic television commercials. In addition, four First Prize Winners will each win a video prize package worth over $1,000.

Select films will be showcased on Panasonic's Share the Air gallery at http://www.sharetheair.net/videos. Submissions will be accepted and prizes awarded for two distinct entry periods: May 17th – July 14th 2006 and July 15th – January 15th, 2007. One Grand Prize Winner and two First Prize Winners will be chosen from each entry period to win the following prizes:

Grand Prize Winners will receive:
     * Panasonic AG-HVX200 HD video camera
     * Two P2 8 GB memory cards
     * P2 storage drive
     * Panasonic DMC-LX1 digital still camera
     * $5,000 hard cash
     * Ty Evans signature series Ogio backpack
     * Atiba Jefferson signature series Ogio backpack

Two First Prize Winners will receive:
     * Panasonic PV-GS500 3CCD digital video camera
     * Ty Evans signature series Ogio backpack.

Pranking the Coffee Mascot

testdrive.jpgBlogs can be fatiguing to maintain (sans revenue) until something like this comes along. Mascot Roommate. These guys prank their poor roommate who has a job promoting a coffee shop.

It takes the fun out of it to think it might be staged, but there's certainly tips that would suggest that. One thing's clear to me- it's not an ad campaign. Coffee Bean wouldn't sanction this (some of it's crude) and they certainly wouldn't serve the clips on a Mac account. So whether it's staged or not, we can conclude that the real prank is on the store and its customers.

That said, this would make a helluva viral ad campaign, wouldn't it? I think if I was the PR guy for Coffee Bean, I'd have our lawyers send a "cease and desist" letter. And if I was the head of marketing, I'd give 'em a check, pull down the "over the top" content (Mascot thrusting pole), and put some viral wind behind it.

Secret Recipe for Viral Video Popularity

chef.gifA recent article about YouTube reveals that 50,000 videos are uploaded a day, and 50 million are viewed. This ratio has changed, no doubt, over time. But that basically means the average views per video should be around 1000. Most videos, however, never surpass 10-100 views. Others get more than 10 million.

So what’s the secret recipe to getting a viral video?

  • Start with 1 pound of good video content- ideally short and minimally packaged.
  • Stir some initial enthusiasm that yields to high views and votes. Here’s where self promotion and luck can enhance the meal.
  • Bake and hope that a few Bloggers point to your video. For example, in my first YouTube success, Googlehead went from 5,000 views last night to 8,000 this morning- I have MicroPersuasion to thank for much of that.
  • Remove from oven and let cool. Hope that someone at YouTube decides to feature it.
  • Serve warm. Once a video is popular it hits “tipping point.” People want to watch popular videos, so it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

Again- if the system works right, the best videos are the most popular. In my opinion, that isn’t necessarily happening yet. I’ve seen some great stuff burried with no views and some videos on the “most popular” that have me as puzzled as when mullets were popular.

Jump Start Your Profit with the YouTube/Revver Link

MadV is a 16-year-old illusionist that gained a rapid following on YouTube over the past month or so. To learn more, see my post today on www.Revverberation.com. MadV soon discovered that he was gaining fame but no money (YouTube is popular but doesn't pay creators). So he posted his videos on Revver, then provided links from his YouTube video comments to the URL on Revver. While hundreds of thousands were watching his clever magic tricks on YouTube, some of them followed him to Revver. That made his Revver videos some of the most popular to date.

We don't know how much MadV made on his 9 Revver videos, but my guess is that it was decent cash. Why? He brought Revver virgins to the site, and logic would hold that they click the ad frames more often than Revver regulars. Still, some of the views might have been out of curiousity, and since they probably already saw the trick on YouTube they may not have made it completely through the Revver version.

Anyway, here are the two major learnings:

1) Create killer content, and it will catch on. I emphasize "killer" because my attempt at being a diner magician didn't exactly pay off. 

2) Get famous on YouTube (where almost half of web videos are seen).

3) In comments section, try to migrate people to your Revver URL.

4) Fame on YouTube, profit on Revver.

P.S. One thing he could have done better… create an affiliate code on each video, and link YouTube viewers to his entire MadV collection on Revver.

Tin Cupping Vloggers

have money.jpg

A new site is helping video bloggers (vloggers) get funding for their projects. Below is a the description from the site, and here's a writeup by DVGuru on the initiative: "Have Money Will Vlog."

Traditional artists can apply for grants to make their work. Have Money Will Vlog supports videobloggers trying to do the amazing. The power of the community can fund projects on a regular basis. You easily spend $10 or more everytime you go out to see a movie…so consider donating $10 a month to a videoblog project. If we have 100 people that give $10 a month, that’s $1000. Let’s energize creators.

Top 10 Tips for Making a Decent Prank Call Video

I don't pretend to have mastered the prank call video, but I've been learning a lot in the past week or so. The above video frames are from 2 prank calls from last night. First, I need to pay tribute to Crank Yankers and a crazy guy that dresses as a girl and does video prank calls (he goes by the name FireX 51485). I wasn't sure how the puppet thing would work for Crank Yankers, but it's a nice combination. However it's also fun to see the actual caller… FireX dresses up with makeup and wigs, and occasionally cracks her (whoops) himself up. Which makes you feel like you're part of the joke.

Revver Prank Call is now one of my hottest videos "earning" video with 1500 views (I get many more views at YouTube but make no income). As a result, I have decided to experiment with prank calls some more. I'll be archiving the series on CubeBreak's new prank section. So here are my tips (some of which I violate, but I'm learning):

1) Find a good location and recording method. My car is working well because the acoustics are okay. Last night I bought a $20 speaker phone from Radio Shack (Fone Free) that has a mike which suctions to the ear speaker of any phone and broadcasts the audio to an FM Radio. At home, I stay low-tech with the speaker phone because it's easier and gives it a more forgivable amateur feel (vs. piping audio of phone separately). Put the phone on camera so people can have an image of the caller.

2) Sketch out some primary bits. I usually have an outline with some "stand-by" lines depending on which direction it goes. This is especially important because the challenge is to keep them on the phone. This has never been more true than with the YouTube lady. Don't get caught looking at the outline during the call (I violate this one regularly because I can't commit them to memory). Rehearsal is best, but sometimes it takes a dozen calls to get the person live, and by then I've forgotten the script again.

3) Decide how you involve the viewer. I've been playing it "straight" with occasional glances to the camera and a few screen titles ala Stephen Colbert. The cross dresser above actually cracks himself up and it's very contagious… like those old Carol Burnett shows or when SNL folks start to break down in laughter because of Will Ferrell. Try different voices to keep variety.

4) Keep it short. I edit mine as tight as possible and they're still too long. Although the best viral videos are 20-40 seconds, I feel like a good prank call can go 1-2 minutes. After that, though, we're lost.

5) Have a big finish. This is hard because it relies on the caller. Sometimes I end my videos before the call actually ends… just because it's no fun to watch the call slowly widdle down.

6) Find a good prankee. The CEO of Revver was a good sport, but he was ready for me. Someone high profile is best (who cares about someone from your work or school?), and if you can get them on their cell it's even a better way to catch them off guard.

7) Don't be mean. There's nothing that bothers me more about a prank call than when I feel guilty for watching it because the prankee was tortured. It's more funny to make fun of yourself and let the other person be confused.

8) Roll with it. If the prankee takes you in a different direction, don't fight it. It's far more interesting to see how the pranker reacts to unanticipated comments from the prankee. Someone who did improv comedy once told me that you never contradict the other… every one of your lines must be a fluid reaction to theirs.

9) The dramatic pause is very tough but effective. I'm usually afraid to do this because the caller may hang up or try to bring the call to closure. But sometimes a well-timed pause will give you your best sound byte.

10) Don't forget to get permission. I sometimes send the person the video so they can evaluate it before giving me permission. But my goal is to remove the video if asked. Technically you're not supposed to record someone without their permission but as long as they grant retroactive permission if seems okay.

Let me know if you try one… I'll post it on CubeBreak.