Web video reprise
by Pat McGowan
on
May 7, 2008 at 7:11:20 pm
Last year we had a good discussion going in here about the future of web based video. I subsequently tasked my team with the idea of offering this approach to clients. We approached one of long-standing broadcast PSA clients with the idea of producing webisodes targeted towards young Canadians. The result is Hinterland Who's Who TUBE, a web based approach to support wildlife education in Canada.
The response from the target audience has been overwhelmingly positive. We have produced 3 webisodes in English and French. The first was launched in April, the next two will release over the next few months and plans are in the works for many more webisodes. In the words of a Middle School Principal (who was Principal of the Year in Canada last year): "You have captured the future of education!" I think he's right.
Re: Web video reprise by Ron Shook on May 8, 2008 at 7:38:39 pm
Bravo, Pat,
You aren't exactly developing your own programming, but rather developing a market for doing the kind of programming that you want to do. Very sly and wise, and you were the one who jumped into flash before it became the prefered method of large scale web delivery. We should listen to you more.
Oddly enough, I have have a friend here in Chitown who is doing much the same thing with the same sort of ecological bent. What's so odd is that his name is McGowan as well.
Keep talkin', Guru.
Ron Shook
Shoulder-High Eye Productions
CreativeCOW Forum Host for Discreet edit*
Re: Web video reprise by Pat McGowan on May 8, 2008 at 11:39:16 pm
Yeah Ron, you should listen to me more!! LOL!!
I think good things are coming for video-centric communications on the web. Actually, I know this is true.
Production houses need to get out and flog this new reality and find ways to co-exist with web-developers. The web-developers won't drive this, we have to do it.
Re: Web video reprise by Rick Dolishny on May 22, 2008 at 1:57:47 am
Really nice work. But even I found the Canadian accents overwhelming ... and I'm Canadian!!!
Very well done, concept, writing ... I think though the web calls for videos 2-3 minute or less. I thought your show could have made four or five smaller shows. Might give the client more value.
Or said another way, you could show one fifth of this show as a teaser, to sell a full-length show or shows on DVD.
As it stands now, it looks like the show was funded by our lovely federal government and that's it.
You're on to something, but as DRW hinted, someone needs to show us the money.
Also, this idea would make an awesome podcast. Linking up to iTunes is fairly easy, it just takes time to go through the Apple approval process.
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Rick Dolishny
Discrete Editors COW Leader
www.thecreativeprocess.ca
Re: Web video reprise by Pat McGowan on May 24, 2008 at 12:45:56 am
Thanks Rick. Lots of food for thought there. I appreciate the feedback!!
The original intention was to be in the 4-6 minute range.
However, these shows have a lot of stakeholders (and no, the Canadian Government is not the primary sponsor for these although they do play a very significant role and really help us a lot) so a lot of content needs to be delivered.
We will be releasing two more webisodes this year and 3-4 next year.
Watch for more elegant production values next year.
Response from educators, kids and nature enthusiasts has been overwhelmingly positive. I mean, truly overwhelming. Way more than we had hoped for.
This project is really special because it is not promoting anything other than to foster, in children as the primary audience, an appreciation and love for the natural world and a deeper understanding of their place in that world.
Re: Web video reprise by Pat McGowan on May 24, 2008 at 12:50:42 am
On the biz front, I am not convinced that the internet represents any "new" opportunities in terms of revenue for video producers other than to offer a very effective delivery channel for content. I don't think there are hordes of video hungry consumers out there willing to pay for video on the web. That's a big mistake, in my view.
I do think that the opportunity is to create kick-ass video content that services the traditional media needs - awareness, sales, promotion, information delivery, training. This is the avenue I am pursuing and early indications are extremely positive.
