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Sep
15

Internet TV Zeitgist - Sep 2006

In the last month I've noticed some subtle changes in the types of video clips that are being uploaded online.

Perhaps the most significant change (and the most exciting) has been a shift towards more 'professional style' amateur productions making it into the charts. What do I mean by this? Well, I am seeing less single-shot-video-clips that have been randomly captured on camcorders, and more 'directed' and edited pieces, that are clearly being produced for the burgeoning online video audience.

This is incredibly exciting because it means the 'revolution has truly begun'.

For some examples, check out the Save the Internet public service message from the August 20th chart, the Slo-Mo Home Depot flash mob from August 27th, and this week's Teenie Weenie Raw Flesh.

What these videos show is that people are now increasing the production values of their videos, and are developing, directing, and targeting their videos to the new generation of viewers.

The rewards can be great - kudos among the community, traffic to a personal website, profile building for up and coming producers, and development of skills. Producers are getting direct feedback, instantly from all over planet, with ratings, viewer numbers and other people's written comments.

The 'Raw Flesh' video is very bold for the girl concerned, and such moves can result in very direct criticism. You need to have a thick skin. But if you have one, or can develop one, you can use the feedback to do an even better job the next time.

One woman in Tasmania has had to abandon her online video exploits after her computer was supposedly hacked, and people wrote nasty comments about her and her videos. Perhaps the former was simply a smokescreen for the latter.

So with a potential audience in the millions, and the opportunity for major bragging rights at school, our budding new generation of filmmakers are dusting off their parent's unused camcorders, and working with friends to make their own mini hollywood style productions.

This is a hugely exciting development, and one that I'm personally very happy to see.

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