Tag Archives: star

Online Video

Larry King vs Some Dude on the Internet

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Larry King gets about 1.2 million viewers a night. This guy, Sxephil, has been seen 14 million times in the past month. The YouTube “star” will average 1 million views per day soon.

  • Larry King is well known, can be found easily on the large monitor you call a television. He’s been in lots of movies. Maybe you’ve seen one of them.
  • This guy, Phil, makes his own web show and you’ve never heard of him. But a few million have, and follow him like hobos follow liquor. In fact many days, he’ll have more eyes on him than Larry King, especially when you count Phil’s other videos, web, live broadcasts.
  • Larry fetches a pretty penny for an ad. Phil? A bit less. No- a lot less per view.
  • Phil writes, shoots, directs, edits and produces his stuff. Larry? He has some help. Expensive help.

And you want to know the interesting thing? People far less popular than this Phil guy are getting seen more daily than most of the television shows you talk about. Hmmm…

This is what I’m talking about, media buyers (see last post). The world’s a-changin’.

P.S. Phil- I’d say life is the paper not the pencil or pen. But you and ZeFrank have never commented on this blog before, so you may never know that Great answer.

Online Video

First Online-Video Star Receives Medal of Honor by NYC National Arts Club

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thehill88 and naltsCaitlin Hill, known online as TheHill88, received NYC’s National Arts Club’s prestigious “Medal of Honor” this week (see press release which I just finished toiling over because I’m consulting with Hitviews.

The 20-year-old Australian video creator joins former medal recipients Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Leonard Bernstein, Salvador Dali, and Martin Scorcese. Three US Presidents have been members of the National Arts Club.

Caitlin was honored by top broadcast talent, pioneers of radio and television… and me.

 I’m seen in this photo, just minutes before I ate Caitlin’s dessert while she was giving her thank-you speech. After acknowledging guests, she remarked, “Nalts- I forgot you’re funny.” I’ll give you about 700 ways to forget, Caitlin.

Seriously, though. This room was packed with the who’s who of media, many whom have made private investments in Hitviews.

  • Reese Schonfeld, the former CEO of CNN.
  • Cousin Brucie Morrow, who introduced the Beatles in Shea Stadium in 1965.
  • Hitviews Founder Walter Sabo, who was one of the youngest VPs of ABC and NBC.
  • Allan Shaw, Centennial Broadcasting founder.
  • National Arts Club President O. Aldon James
  • Gary Slaight, a former owner of 30 radio stations in Canada, and Bob Weinstein, co-founder of Miramax, are also investors but did not attend the December 8 dinner.

Check out some of the brief talks honoring Caitlin (below). Again- I’ve been consulting with Hitviews because I kinda dig this model about rallying top online-video stars to reate branded entertainment. I think with this group of media investors — their experience and funding — Hitviews may change the game for creators and advertisers.

If you choose to watch the videos of the December 8 dinner, check out Allan Shaw especially (mustache guy). He’s got some inside knowledge as a YouTube viewer. And if you watch mine, I really, really am not interested on a count of how many “uh” and “ums” I had. It was past my bedtime. Check out Caitlin’s video at 3:00 where she gives her “Nalts” dig. Charming. Lovely. Read Caitlin’s accounts of the day here.


 

Online Video

YouTube’s “Fred” to Appear on iCarly

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Fred with Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus or iCarly or whateverI’m Fred’s dad (see video), and I didn’t know until I’d read Daisy Whitney’s Twitter that Fred is appearing on Nickelodian’s iCarly. I’m pretty sure iCarly is not the same person as Hanna Montana but she may be Miley Cyrus.

In any event, the Internet squeeky-voice YouTube viral sensation already shot his part of the production, but it’s not scheduled to air until February 2009. I sure hope he got some footage of Miley or whatever her name is.

Photo from Celebrity Interest blog. Turns out it’s a photo of Fred (Lucas Cruikshank) and iCarly (Miranda Cosgrove).

Here’s hoping this post doesn’t start a political debate.

Blogs on Video, book, Killer Video, Making Videos, Online Video, popular videos, Video, Video Business, Viral Video, YouTube

Media Stereotypes Online-Video Clichés

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There’s no question that traditional media tends to characterize online video — and YouTube in particular — as a cute fad. Certainly the bulk of the stories are about the “one hit wonders,” Internet clichés, and sensational hits like Chris Crocker, Sneezing Pandas, laughing babies and Star Wars Kid.

When I saw some recent Comedy Central parodies, I actually got a little frustrated that comedy writers are captivated with the drama prairie dog, and misses the more interesting trends:

The boys on Southpark were right that the distribution channel is still far from a mature monetization model. But it’s getting more interesting and obviously an important trend and not a fad.

spoof of traditional media’s coverage of youtubeAs I was thinking about all this, I felt compelled to spoof my somewhat defensive reaction. So here’s me taking this argument to an absurd extreme. Attacking media for stereotypes, only to resort to groveling for an SNL deal with Lauren Michaels.

book, Online Video, Viral Video, YouTube

Maybe Online Video Isn’t Just Staging Area for Wanna-Be Media Stars?

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Michael Buckley: Media WhoreI found this quote interesting, as Liz Stowasky of the “Point Click and Go” show on Fox.com interviewed Michael Buckley (see video) from the WhatTheBuckShow. Stowasky asked Buckley about his plans for the future:

“It’s so funny because whenever I do interviews they always seem disappointed when I kinda say I’m happy where I’m at. They definitely want to hear ‘oh, I am aspiring to much more.'” … Sure if E called and wanted to give me a half-hour show… that would be great. My biggest fear is they’re going to censor me… and they’re going to be ‘don’t say this or do say this, or take it down a notch or don’t be so gay or whatever.”

Hmmm. Downsides to “crossing over.” Someone telling us not to be so gay.

One thing we sometimes forget is the tremendous creative freedom we have as online-video creators. No studios to please. No sponsors to patronize (unless we choose). No script review or censorship. Just us and our audiences.

I suspect that Will Ferrell’s motivation for FunnyOrDie was about having that freedom, and not on getting rich via the web. After all, Ferrell already has enough money to buy Buckley and make him his $4,000-a-date Spitzer gimp.

Speaking of Spitzer, how come nobody’s done a “Spitzer throws puppy from a cliff” video yet?