Le Blog - All About Film, New Media and More

Philips and Ridley Scott create 'Parallel Lines' a branded entertainment series

2010-06-03T10:46:46Z

I came across this web series while reading an article on brands like Philips discovering the opportunities offered by long-form video advertising. The official trailer of the Parallel Lines project from Philips Cinema and Ridley Scott Associates features five short films, five genres, five of RSAs hottest directors, and one unifying piece of dialogue. The films, and an on-going film competition, are both available on YouTube. The premise seems to fit the product: Philips televisions. The film series objective is to give viewers the chance to experience the Ambilight, picture and sound capabilities of Philips TVs for themselves. I like the campaign copy: "There are millions of ways to tell a story. There's only one way to watch one." More info here: http://www.philips.com/cinema

Hollywood, We Have the Technology: Web Originals Take Over

2010-05-30T18:10:55Z

This is where it's at now: Web Originals. Learn to morph, shift, re-invent, evolve, choose your metaphor. Change is inevitable. Great summation by LAist of the most recent Digital Hollywood conference in LA.

As this LAist article points out, "The new breed of web entertainment companies have more in common, culturally, with tech companies than traditional media. [ ] Web entertainment creators are thinking more like scrappy tech start-ups than Hollywood players."

Not only that, but this evolution has had a huge impact on advertising. New divisions are sprouting up in ad agencies for new areas such as web video, or social media, along with their existing digital divisions. That's a good thing--especially for web video content producers. Ad agency creative directors, if they are smart, will look to web video producers who specialize in this medium instead of forcing their back-pocket traditional production companies to adapt, like it or not. Some will, or can. Most won't, or can't, even if they tried. Traditional production is expensive. It's difficult for a traditional production company to comprehend a web video production budget, and they can't afford to.

Bottom line is, "The demand for high-quality, homegrown web video is exploding", as the article states. "The DNA of original web content comes more from the tech business than from traditional Hollywood," as Jonathan Handel, an entertainment attorney and Digital Hollywood panelist so eloquently concluded.

Exciting times, no doubt. Get "bionic" people! That's for those of you old enough to remember the reference to, "We Have the Technology". If not, nevermind.

Worth a Listen: Got an Idea for a Great TV Show?

2010-05-27T12:40:31Z

I often listen to "The Business", a KCRW program about Hollywood, and thought this particular segment was worth sharing.

A great interview with Fox TV chief Kevin Reilly who "tells it like it is about the high-stakes game that is pilot season: the chemistry of casting, going with your gut and the sweaty palms you get when trying to sell new shows to advertisers," as eloquently described in the show notes. Valuable, honest, insightful.

Click here to listen.

EQAL's Miles Beckett talks Web Series, Then and Now

2010-05-17T23:22:28Z

Yes, it's been awhile. Life happens, what can I say. However, I wanted to share the reflections of EQAL founder, Miles Beckett on the state of online videos and on web series creation, 4 years after the debut of EQAL's own web series, lonelygirl15. Check out his interview with NewTeeVee here.

Using video content creatively online has plenty of room to grow. Ways in which to market that content abound. Stay tuned, we've only scratched the surface, I'm sure.

Toward the Future of Branded Video: Web Series Success Story Unfolds

2010-01-13T05:00:13Z

Great coverage in a recent AdAge article of a growing trend in web video. Paving the way to a viable business model for creating quality branded content for the web is the Ikea supported web series, "Easy to Assemble". Obviously an example of a great marriage that works between a brand sponsor, Ikea, and a web series creator, Illeana Douglas. The marriage is producing lots of offspring, (that would be its growing audience, of course!). Exciting times for marketers and content creators alike. 2010 should be an interesting year in this arena.

Dreams on Spec - The Movie for Aspiring Moviemakers

2010-01-09T18:41:53Z

A couple of years ago, I embedded this film on my website. It validated what I already knew, and provided a good dose of reality about the trials and tribulations one experiences behind the scenes of making a film. I posted it because I felt it was a 'must-see' for aspiring screenwriters, directors and producers. I still do. So here it is again in its own blog post. It's a hollywood reality-check meets "hope springs eternal" story done in a really authentic way. Kudos to writer-director Daniel Synder for making it.

42 Ways to Use Video to Grow Your Business

2009-12-12T22:06:35Z

When I read the title of this great post from a Canadian video marketing firm, I thought of Paul Simon's song, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover." Go figure. Nevertheless, Jimm Fox, president of One Market Media, does a great job outlining "42 Ways to Use Video to Grow Your Business". All listed below, many of which I've produced for clients.

So to quote Paul Simon, "Make a new plan, Stan. No need to be coy, Roy. Just listen to me."

Wait for it ...

It's time to get your 2010 Online Video Marketing Strategy together and "get yourself free!"

Yes, we're here to help.

1. Video Customer Testimonials

2. Video Success Stories

3. Video Case Study

4. Man-in-the-street Interviews

5. Customer Presentations

6. Product Presentations

7. Product Demonstrations

8. Product Reviews

9. Visual Stories

10. Corporate Overview

11. Executive Presentations

12. Staff Presentations

13. Corporate facilities or equipment tour

14. Training

15. Overnight expert videos (Sales Support)

16. Just-in-time learning

17. Post sale support and maintenance videos

18. Internal Communications

19. Event/Conference and Trade Show Communications

20. Employee orientation

21. Health, Legal & Safety

22. Commercials

23. Viral Video

24. Email Video

25. Infomercials

26. Content Marketing

27. Landing pages and micro sites

28. Video Press Releases

29. PR Support Materials

30. Community Relations Video

31. Event Presentation video

32. Round table Sessions

33. Q&A Expert sessions

34. Recruitment Videos

35. VLOG

36. In Store Video

37. Company Lobby / Waiting Room Video

38. Mobile Video

39. Market research, focus groups and polling

40. Website FAQ Video

41. Video White paper

42. Video Magazine

BTW, for an accurate rendition of Paul Simon's classic song:

http://www.ilike.com/artist/Paul+Simon/track/50+Ways+To+Leave+Your+Lover?src=onebox

Ted Hope says, "Take Back What Has Always Been Yours"

2009-10-31T19:24:10Z

I met Ted Hope last year at " The Conversation", a gathering of pioneers at the forefront of change in cinema, online video, games, media and technology that came together to share ideas, insights, and innovations. The focus was on new tools, new distribution channels, and new rules. Ted was one of the featured panelists. I have to admit, that day I was one of those people who approach the speaker after their talk to "connect". I never really do that. But Ted was exceptionally inspirational that day, speaking from the heart about the myth that independent film was dead. It's NOT dead!, according to Ted. Prior to the event, Ted had just written a rebuttal article dispelling the myth that indie film was no longer. I wanted to talk to him about it and express my support for his/the 'movement'. (See, Some Optimism for the Future of Indie Filmmaking - Ted Hope on How The New Truly Free Filmmaking Community Will Rise From Indie's Ashes) It really is a movement and new opportunities for indie film are emerging in the digital and online space.

I'm posting here Ted Hope's latest speech at the this year's "Power to the Pixel" conference in London, as he continues the argument that independent cinema is evolving. It's about 40 minutes long but worth the time. Have a seat and enjoy.

Online Video Needs Scale to Win Big Advertisers

2009-10-28T11:31:23Z

Andy got some great interviews from his recent Online Video Roundtable in New York. Valuable learnings for everyone. Onward.

Madison Avenue Embracing Video Search, Sometimes By-Passing Paid Content

2009-10-27T04:31:11Z