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Episode 18: The One About “IndieTV” Versus “Immersive Entertainment”

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A passionate debate recently took place in the online video world about whether the short, scripted tv show model can gain an audience, versus interactive content and personality-driven entertainment. This is the kind of shit we love for New Mediacracy, so we gathered up Barrett Garese, Brett Register, Craig Frank, Jamie Blair, along with NM regulars Chris McCaleb, Zadi Diaz, and Steve Woolf and downed six, count ‘em six bottles of wine.

The backstory: Barrett had delivered his WebTVWorkshop tip of the day video back in May, which got picked up last week by others in the web show world. That led to a passionate discussion on Twitter with quite a few participants. There was a follow-up Tumblr post by Barrett that led to numerous replies. David Nett put forth his thoughts on Facebook, which also had a lively comments exchange afterwards, and there was a Tubefilter article by Marc Hustvedt, which generated similarly passionate comments. There were other blog posts by creators on their own sites, as well.

I think anyone interested in the future of web shows and online video entertainment would be interested in this discussion, and it goes to the heart of what we’ve been discussing recently on New Mediacracy. Give it a listen and post your comments below: is IndieTV a steady model that people can wrap their minds around, or should creators focus on pushing the envelope of storytelling?

*Note: My replies on Tumblr (post 1, post 2).

Original post on newmediacracy.com.

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Episode 17: The One About the Identity Problem of Web Video

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It’s been a while since the last New Mediacracy, so we took an opportunity to go back to basics with the core group of NM, Zadi Diaz, Chris McCaleb, and Steve Woolf. In the theme of getting back to basics, most of this episode’s discussion centers around the identity of web video, or the lack thereof. And a ton of discussion about working towards the sustainability of scripted web shows.

Also, there is the usual excess of drinking and the table we are sitting around hates us. Probably for our freedoms. It creaks and cracks throughout the whole show, sorry about that. But give it a listen, and post your thoughts in the comments.

See original post at newmediacracy.com

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Directing the J!nx/ Frag Dolls TV Commercial

This is a national TV commercial I directed and edited for Jinx.com featuring the Frag Dolls. It’s currently running on G4 as part of the “Get Into It” campaign.

Executive Producer: Ray Doustdar
Producer: Steve Woolf
Director: Zadi Diaz
Cinematography & Sound: The Bui Brothers
Associate Producer: Rick Rey
Editor: Zadi Diaz
Behind the Scenes videos: Bonny Pierzina
Makeup: Tracie Cotta, Ashley Joy Beck
Produced by Smashface Productions

Digital Nation

Above is a recent interview I conducted with the creators of Digital Nation: Life in the Virtual Frontier for PBS’s Frontline.

Producer & correspondent Rachel Dretzin and correspondent Douglas Rushkoff discuss how the Web and digital media have transformed work, learning and social interaction in ways that we are only beginning to understand. FRONTLINE’s “Digital Nation” premieres Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET on PBS. Check local listings at http://www.pbs.org/tvschedules

Global Change through Xchange

For the next few months I will be working with the British Council in helping to develop the Multilateral Community Xchange (MCX) pilot program, a component of the successful internationally recognised Global Xchange program which was primarily developed by the BC and VSO. The program will connect youth and community activists from six countries: USA, France, UK, South Africa, Sierra Leone and Rwanda.

Global XChange is a UK program comparable to the United States’ Peace Corps program. The aim of the program is to develop inter-community and inter-cultural dialogue skills through a series of activities that involve work-shadowing attachments, skills sharing, training workshops and community events. Five incredible Los Angeles nonprofits have been selected to participate: Street Poets, Create Now, Reach LA, Homeboy Industries and LA’s Best.

Here’s an example of the first program which took place in between Scotland and Malawi. Inspiring.

How can you help? Well, we’re currently looking for a sponsor to supply the group of kids who are participating with 2 Flip cameras to document their Xchange experience taking place in Durban and Belfast. Mad props and credit will be given where credit is due. So if you, or someone you know would like to participate, please contact me. I’ll continue to update this blog about the experience.

More info about Global Xchange.

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