There’s a new trend in online video that I’m entirely in favor of. Editors. And for that matter, producers.
Yes, people have learned that most user-generated content is trash and the way to make money is to provide better filters. Hence the recent Facebook/Ziddio announcement and efforts to offer promising video producers a little professional support.
On the Facebook front, the company has teamed with Ziddio.com to select top video submissions for feature placement on the Ziddio site. In addition, through Ziddio’s relationship with Comcast, these same top videos will be available through on-demand cable. Don’t waste time rummaging through heaps of crappy video. Let someone else do the rummaging for you, then sit back and enjoy the show.
As far as production help, Facebook has a hand in that game too. Producer R.J. Cutler of “30 Days” fame will use the Ziddio videos (eek, rhyming!) to create a new TV series called “Facebook Diaries”.
Of course Facebook and Comcast/Ziddio aren’t alone. CNET’s Webshots started Project Spotlight last month to recruit talent for “groundbreaking, original web shows.” Submit video clips and a short proposal, and you could be selected to produce a new miniseries with a cash grant and some bonus professional advice.
On the one hand, you could say that money takes all the fun out of a new medium. (Okay not so new anymore. There are at least 17 online video services!) On the other hand, the trade in quality may be worth the sacrifice.