This quote from TVWeek:

Considering that giant Google spent $1.6 billion for YouTube primarily for its user-generated content, that might come as a bit of a shock. But given that even smaller sites such as ManiaTV have begun to eschew free-for-all user-generated video, it seems to add up to an admission that, while your cousin Joe’s video may draw a lot of eyeballs, it will never draw a lot of paying advertisers.

“There’s a huge audience built around user-generated content but no evidence that it is a profitable business,” said Peter Hoskins, who recently succeeded ManiaTV’s founder, Drew Massey, as CEO.

Hmm, I’ve seen plenty of advertising in shows like the “Funniest Animals” which rely SOLELY on user-generated content. So there HAS to be some money in cat-and-dog fighting videos…

Tags: ads, google, journalism, user generated content, video, web 2.0, youtube

ads, google, journalism, user generated content, video, web 2.0, youtube

Previously, it was possible to get a video ad instead of an image ad (granted you have opted in for video). This one is different and is probably tied to Google’s acquisition of Youtube.

It will now be possible to put AdSense ads INSIDE streaming videos. So you could host your own video and put an AdSense pre-roll and then another one at the end.

I still haven’t seen it in action but if Google is successful in monetizing video, it could be huge. The economics of video, however, are much different than text so it remains to be seen if the results will actually be worth it.

Tags: ads, adsense, google, user generated content, video, web 2.0, youtube

ads, adsense, google, user generated content, video, web 2.0, youtube

I wrote a little article on three-point lighting at the Wikipedia that describes the most basic lighting setup.

The three point lighting setup may be simple but it’s useful in 80% of cases – or even close to 100% if you’re shooting talking heads.

Let me give you an example of a bad lighting setup (see the image on the right). Both shots come from interviews that Miranda July did for her indie movie.

As you can see there’s a remarkable difference when you go from top to bottom. Note: the second one was shot by iFilm.

So what are the guys at iFilm doing right? Here’s a short list for you:

• Use soft light – a single large softbox is enough
• Use a fill light – if you don’t have a large softbox
• Use a back light – see that highlight on her hair, it creates much needed separation between subject and background
• Use a background light – if you’re shooting talking heads, it’s best if you use a background light with a color filter (blue) to improve the separation between subject and background

Apart from lighting, it seems that a little make up and a soft filter complete the magic.

For portraits, I recommend Tiffen’s Warm Soft/FX lens filters. Just make sure you turn the auto-focus off because sometimes it will hunt attemting to focus on the small particles in the lens filter.

Tags: filter, gonzo, journalism, lighting, user generated content, web2.0

filter, gonzo, journalism, lighting, user generated content, web2.0

In short, Topix.net bought Topix.com and in the process decided to re-evaluate their product, brand, etc. According to their CEO, they asked themselves the question: “What do you do when your success … sucks?“. So what changed?

According to USA Today (~ sister company to Topix): “Topix.com homes in on citizen journalists.”

Who?

Citizen journalists, you know, people “who post stories and pictures online” (USA Today). Hmm, if they’re painting with such broad strokes, I don’t think they’ve missed anyone I know. Even my parents “post stories” by email.

It looks like all Topix wants is to recruit volunteers to post and moderate posts about their local communities. Why didn’t they say so?

So thank you, Doctor Gonzo (Hunter S. Thompson), for providing us with a term that’s much clearer and less susceptible to hype: gonzo journalism.

If I’d written all the truth I knew for the past ten years, about 600 people – including me – would be rotting in prison cells from Rio to Seattle today. Absolute truth is a very rare and dangerous commodity in the context of professional journalism.

Tags: gonzo, journalism, social, UGC, user generated content, web2.0

gonzo, journalism, social, UGC, user generated content, web2.0

Warning: some of my favorite buzzwords are missing (like user-generated content and citizen journalism)

Tags: journalism, user generated content, video, web 2.0, youtube

journalism, user generated content, video, web 2.0, youtube

On any normal Gootube page, you see the video and then comments below it (if any). On CBS videos, however, you don’t get to see the comments. You only see the links to the pages where the comments are supposed to be. Clicking them reveals more EMPTY pages of comments.

The only way to see comments on CBS videos is to click “View All XXX comments”. This is really odd considering I was able to read GREAT comments about Craig Ferguson’s show only a few days ago.

It looks like the comments war has been ranging for a few months already. Here’s the excerp from the NY Times:

CBS began moving and filtering comments on some videos in mid-October, shortly after announcing its licensing agreement with YouTube, in order to remove “profane, unconstructive criticism,” and off-topic political vitriol, said Quincy Smith, the president of CBS Interactive. To many users of sites like YouTube, of course, being profane, unconstructive, off-topic and vitriolic is the point.

All I can say as a Youtube regular, the new pages are butt-ugly. Now, that’s a profane comment CBS would probably want removed.

Tags: CMG, directors, google, show, user generated content, youtube

CMG, directors, google, show, user generated content, youtube

There’s little need for an elaborate argument. Just check out the Most Viewed and Highest Rated pages. The most viewed video of all time is The Evolution of Dance which is OK but once you look at the rest of the “countdown”, you will start questioning the other user’s taste and … sanity.

In short, a very high number of views means the video appeals to the LCD (lowest common denominator) crowd. The ratings are a better indicator of the quality of the video but only marginally so. They suffer from the LCD syndrom too.

This isn’t to say there are NO hits on Youtube. On the contrary, shows like Ask A Ninja or Chad Vader are very good.

My point is that most good shows are good because they are unique. You can’t see them on TV. The reason you can’t is because they are cater to a niche audience. Today I saw an amazing extreme snowboard video. It will never get 36 million views or 50,000+ ratings. Within its niche, however, it’s amazing.

Tags: CMG, directors, google, show, user generated content, youtube

CMG, directors, google, show, user generated content, youtube

The video has received more than 35 million views so far and continues to grow. Unlike LonelyGirl15, there’s no trick here. They guy’s is no Numa Numa.

Tags: CMG, directors, show, streaming, UGC, user generated content, youtube

CMG, directors, show, streaming, UGC, user generated content, youtube

The guys behind popular DIY shows (like Ask a Ninja or Chad Vader), demand bigger dressing rooms, better microphones… See the whole list of demands:

If you have trouble with Mark’s Scottish accent, I suggest you rent Trainspotting. Do get the version with subtitles!

Tags: CMG, directors, google, show, user generated content, youtube

CMG, directors, google, show, user generated content, youtube

I just saw this announcement from the creators, it provides a peek behind the scenes of a show like that.

It’s a relief to see that some of the so-called Youtube Directors are actually directors, who think in terms of pre-production, script, etc. The prevalent notion is that user-generated content is a phenomenon similar to entropy, only with a reversed electric charge.

Tags: CMG, directors, show, streaming, UFC, user generated content, youtube

CMG, directors, show, streaming, UFC, user generated content, youtube