I love sharing content that I feel has value to filmmakers, video creators, and members of our Spidvid community. Russ Pond recently reached out to me to give me the inside scoop that he was releasing a new ebook to help video creators in the marketing video area, an area where so many individuals struggle to produce successful results.

This ebook is packed full of research, stats, stories, and of course juicy tips and advice for creating marketing videos that cut through the clutter and get your brand in front of targeted viewers. To get it, all you need to do is visit the ebook’s page, and send out a tweet to download “6 Steps To Producing a Successful Marketing Online Video” for free!

6 Steps Ebook Teaser:

1. Conveying a clear message.

2. Creating a persuasive call to action.

3. Focusing on production excellence.

4. Maximizing video optimization.

5. Considering multiple distribution channels.

6. Tracking your videos across the web.

Now that your interest has been piqued, go download the valuable ebook now, and if you have something to say about its content then please comment below. Or you can reach out to Russ directly via his website.

About the author, Russ Pond (in his own words)

Since the mid 90′s, I’ve been producing and directing corporate video projects for a variety of clients, including a handful of Fortune 500 companies. Other producers often contact me with questions about budgeting, client relationships, workflow, cameras, equipment, crew structure, contracts, business structure, accounting and other questions. So, I decided to share my resources for those interested in the business of corporate video production. My hope for this site is to provide a stream of resources to help those in the freelance production business or those interested in getting into this business.

I’ve worked on both sides of the fence. I spent 16 years working for two Fortune 500 companies in their marketing department. I was the one hiring video production companies for a variety of projects. I’ve worked with high-end ad agencies, marketing consultants and the smaller production companies. In 1996, I bought my first editing system — a Media 100 — and started learning the art of media production. Shortly after that, someone actually paid me to produce a short presentation for them. My first paying project! That excitement sent me down a path of learning where today I now run my own production company, Top Pup Media.

Since launching into the corporate video production business, I have produced projects for Nokia, AT&T, MasterCard, Haggar, Uniden, IndyCar, and a handful of other large clients. I’ve also produced, directed and edited a full-length, feature film called “Fissure“. I also recently finished work on a new television show called “Marry Me Again” that we are starting to shop around to networks.

A couple years ago, I took an assessment called “Strengths Finder” and with the help of a certified Strengths Finder coach, I learned quite a bit about the way I’m wired. My top five strengths are Learner, Relator, Responsibility, Individualization and Belief. Why do I share that? My top strength is Learner. I love to learn. I get a buzz when I learn. I look for opportunities to learn. And, I hope that this site will be an outlet for me to share all that I’ve learned about corporate video production.

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If you are into the web series space like we are, you have likely heard of The International Academy of Web Television, or IAWTV for short. IAWTV is an independent organization of digital entertainment leaders, founded in 2008 to promote and recognize artistic excellence and technological innovation in the Web television and digital entertainment industries. Members of the Academy have achieved excellence in their respective fields, and include actors, agents, composers, content developers, directors, journalists, producers, technology innovators, and writers who actively participate in and support the Web television and digital entertainment industries.

The Academy oversees the Streamy Awards. The IAWTV has 11 board of directors including: Michael Wayne (Chairman), Dina Kaplan (Vice Chair), George Ruiz (Secretary), Miles Beckett, Drew Baldwin, Felicia Day, Zadi Diaz, Jim Louderback, Chris McCaleb, John McCarus, Timothy Shey, and Joshua Cohen.

The reason why I’m writing about the IAWTV today is because they have recently opened up membership to anyone in the online entertainment space who’s interested. This is a smart move because the Internet is open, so why should an Academy who is evangelizing online video’s future not also be too.

Are you a web series creator who wants to join the IAWTV? We may sponsor the membership of a creator, so if you feel you are very deserving of joining this incredible organization please comment below, send us an email, or tweet to tell us why the IAWTV would be lucky to have you.

We are always doing nice things for our community, so be sure to get all new posts delivered to your email, or via RSS.

Jeremy Campbell Give Aways, community Academy, awards, community, creator, IAWTV, International Academy of Web Television, membership, new media, online video, open, organization, sponsorship, Streamy Awards, Streamys, TV, video, video creator, web, web television, web tv, web video, win

I recently had the opportunity to interview Mark Gantt who is the executive producer and lead actor of the web series “The Bannen Way”. The Bannen Way killed it at the Streamy Awards and went on to win four awards, and has attracted over 14 million views. Mark is now passing down his knowledge of the web series business as a teacher through his workshop, so if you’re looking to learn from one of the best be sure to check that out.

Enough of kissing Mark’s ass, below is our interview.

1. Did you create your web series workshop to pass on the information and knowledge you gained from creating and producing “The Bannen Way” to other aspiring video creators and filmmakers?

Yes. I have met over thirty people for coffee to discuss my experience with The Bannen Way and have done over twenty panels in the last five months and realized that with the limited time available, there was little ‘nuts and bolts’ being talked about. One attendee of the NATPE panel I was doing called “Anatomy of a Hit Web Series” was very frustrated afterwards and I overheard her saying, “I still don’t know how to make a $#&@ web series!” I heard that, I heard that from several people. In the workshops, or on a panel, or at coffee, I explain that creating a web series isn’t brain surgery but it feels like that if you don’t have all the tools. You don’t need to be able to do everything, you just need to be able to work very hard, research like crazy, and build a team to help you with your vision.

2. Do you expect any of your students to go out and create a hit web series like you did?

Absolutely. I want them to create something that will empower them as artists, and give them a little extra leg up in the industry. It’s really about giving people a jumping off point. Enough information to get in trouble as I always say.

3. What’s the best book you’re read, or video you’ve watched that inspired you to create entertainment at a high level?

LOL. uh… I’m not really a book guy, everything is from experience. I have just worked on a lot of sets, so if people were doing a project I was there listening and learning… for free.

4. What do you think of web series creators and producers turning to crowdsourcing platforms like KickStarter and IndieGoGo to raise funds for their production projects?

I think it’s a HUGE resource. It’s an interesting model for a couple reasons. I think it allows the investors (ie: mom, dad, uncles, dentists, viewers, etc.) to feel that their money is actually going into a production, and helps force the filmmaker to FIGURE OUT how they are going to make it. It’s a great pressure on you to get things made.

5. What advantages do web series creators have over TV producers?

There are about 30 people that have to approve of you doing a TV series, not including agents, managers, and lawyers. To create and distribute a web series… you can be the boss. We worked with Sony (on The Bannen Way) so it wasn’t just us, but it was a lot easier than working with a studio AND a Network.

6. How is collaboration benefiting the new media production landscape?

Filmmaking by definition is a collaborative art. I love that you get a chance to work with a group of people with different talents to complete a common goal. People want to create. A director of photography wants to shoot, actors want to act and with technology improving, you can now actually shoot for very cheap. So instead of talented people without the money to shoot on film, they can now shoot on the Cannon 7D or rent the RED camera and end up with a great looking project in the end.

The explosive trailer for Mark’s hit web series, The Bannen Way.

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We’re always looking for new media events, conferences, and programs to make those audiences aware of Spidvid’s collaborative production model, and to educate potential members about the community we’re consistently growing.

I have been in conversation with Susan Johnston, founder of New Media Film Festival learning about what the festival is all about, and how to effectively inject Spidvid into their marketing messages and weekend festivities. We reached a deal so I’m proud to announce that Spidvid is New Media Film Festival’s newest sponsor.

New Media Film Festival offers a platform to showcase innovative ideas and technology through visual media. NMFF honors stories in all media that are innovative, imaginative and inspirational. Stories that can make you laugh, cry, think and go beyond the ordinary. It’s all about creating stories worth telling.

The three day festival was held this past weekend and had a strong lineup for 2010. Over the next year hopefully teams from our Spidvid community can create some quality videos and short films together to submit to the 2011 festival. In fact we will pay each video or film submission so teams can focus exclusively on creating quality content, and not have to worry about anything else.

The goal for Spidvid is to be everywhere there are conversations taking place around new media. So if you are part of a new media organization and believe Spidvid is a good fit as a sponsor please get in touch.

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Video production has long been viewed as expensive but valuable, since video is the most engaging and richest form of content in our media world today. If a picture is worth a 1,000 words as the famous quote goes, then a video must be worth at least 100,000 words.

The problem for video creators and producers is that production is costly because traditionally, individuals want to be paid for their work. This makes perfect sense because to provide for oneself and ones family, money is certainly a necessity. For decades now we have witnessed an employer/employee relationship in the production space where one pays and one receives, but what happens when a partnership model emerges to provide a relatively new approach.

Many individuals work on company’s video projects for money, but there’s more to life than just money, and so personal passion projects are becoming more and more intriguing as hobbies.

So lets go over the two scenarios here.

Scenario #1

On the one hand creators and producers pay out money to obtain talent, retain 100% ownership in their content but that makes for a risky strategy since only a small percentage of videos go on to find a large audience, and turn a profit. Let’s also not forget that paying people for doing work usually means that a) they are nowhere near as passionate about the project as the payer is, and b) there is little incentive to do an outstanding job because a personal content ownership stake doesn’t exist.

Scenario #2

On the other hand if creators and producers choose not to pay their talent (or pay very little), but make each member a partner by giving them an ownership stake, then each individual is motivated to do their very best, the project is interesting to everyone involved otherwise they wouldn’t be part of it in the first place, and the project’s financial risk is vastly reduced.

Of course scenario #2 won’t work well for major projects that take months or years to complete, but for the evenings when the day job is over and when some free time on the weekends is available, then this option makes a lot of sense. A donation of time is given in exchange for a video that can be used as leverage to build up ones personal profile/brand, and a share in whatever credit and revenues result.

Scenario #2 is of course where Spidvid fits into. Our social platform was developed to empower new video project opportunities that are traditionally hard to create, discover, and be part of.

So if you are a talented creator, actor, writer, videographer, editor, or another production talent, and want to partner up with other like-minded individuals like yourself on collaborative projects, then you should join our community.

Also, if you are interested in sponsorship for your future project we are seeking investments into some original content. The stipulations are that you have to collaborate with at least four other individuals, and at least one team member has to be outside your continent to outline the true global nature of Spidvid’s platform. The video should also be between 2-5 minutes in length. If a sponsorship opportunity makes sense for your next project, be sure to contact us and submit a short proposal outlining how a deal is mutually beneficial for all involved.

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