Huh? A "YouTube Video?" What's That?
Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 04:38PM 
So what the heck is a "YouTube video?"
Beats me.
And my film crew. And editors. And writers.
But as filmmakers we hear this more and more. Hmmm. So I got to thinking....
When someone wants a "YouTube video," what does that mean from a producer's point of view?
Is a "YouTube video:"
Professionally created?
Consumer created?
Expensive?
Cheap?
Does a "YouTube video" include:
Actors?
Non-actors?
A call to action?
A great story?
No story?
A weak story?
Interviews?
Does a "YouTube video" look:
Slick?
Beautiful?
Home-made?
Hollywood?
Campy?
Mysterious?
Does a "YouTube video" feel:
Funny?
Serious?
Sad?
Optimistic?
Negative?
Surprising?
Joyful?
Scary?
Is a "YouTube video:"
Musical?
Poetic?
Educational?
Inspirational?
Thought-provoking?
Staged?
Captured live?
Phew! I'm just starting. But I think you get the idea.
The next time your producer looks confused when you ask for a "YouTube video," remember...
YouTube is a distribution channel...not your video story.
---Tom
Reader Comments (12)
From the producer's point of view, whoever it may be, it means: do as you like.
Have a great week.
Spot on, mate!
Have a great one yourself!
Tom
The phrase "youtube video" is almost taking on the same connotation as "Xerox" did in the 1980's. Nobody copied anything--their Xeroxed it.
Youtube is simply a channel of delivery for those "do it yourself" amateurs who don't have the production budget for anything better as you pointed out.
The problem as I see it is the fact that many people begin to think that quality does not matter and or they do not understand the quality of "professional grade" production.
Simply put, is youtube allowing people to accept a lower standard similar to American's willingness to value and continue to eat fast food?
dean
The medium is not the message!
Thanks for the note! That phrase is surfacing more and more...
I remember the days when everyone wanted an "MTV video." Asked what they meant,
there was silence. Same with "YouTube videos." Better to share and converse about what issues need addressing rather than focusing on the "truck that will deliver the goods."
Take care,
Tom
There's something to be said for the "cheapass yet remarkable" category, but I'm not sure makes for much of a business model. :)
It's certainly not my business model :-) Thanks for stopping by.
Tom
So often the traditonal, old school media confuse "different" with "new". That's probably a factor of their time and mental bandwidth constraints as well as advertising pressures. They don't have time to filter the information they get and really make sense of it.
And our clients, (and sometimes "old" media practitioners who haven't updated yet), confuse the "new" flavor to be VERY different from the old flavors.
I love all the new "channels' we have! They create great opportunities to be creative and reach new people. And they keep this business fun.
Spot on...the new channels are cool, indeed. It's great to have stories be shared through multiple outlets instead of a selected few.
Be well,
Tom
Gang, think of like this. Youtube videos are like snapshots taken by amatures of their dog roller skating. Now, would a professional portrait photographer or news photographer be wondering how to take and post snapshots as a business model?
The whole idea of Youtube is in the very title (hello!) YOU tube. It was conceived as a way for folks to put themselves out there where everyone could see them or thier friends or family doing stuff that people would notice. It is not television. It is not the movies. It is not video. It is a medium unto itself, as different as all these other media, yet sharing only the most basic of factors (a camera and mic is involved in production)
The things that make a compelling youtube video are not the same things that make a corporate video or motion picture or televion program compelling. Most popular youtube videos have no rethorical message they are trying to communicate, no narrative story structure they have crafted, no formula or format they follow. They are not selling you anything Its all about Specticle.
Youtube videos are short. Youtube videos make you want to watch them again. Most are funny, some unintentionally so. Its a communitiy. The closest thing to Youtube in traditional mass media would be one of those funniest home video shows. Are you wondering how to get your work showcased on AFV? No? Then why worry about Youtube? As the young say today, "it is what it is."
Who should worry about Youtube? Advertisers. This is a place where many eyeballs are congregating these days -- often the same eyeballs that are leaving Television. So if you make you living in TV, or otherwise rely on advertising, think of youself like the radio guys a couple of generations ago wondering about this newfangled televion medium wondering if it will ever take off. Youtube is just one destination on the interpipes. Its a place where the viewer is in total control. They don't want to be spoon feed anymore. Your mediation is not required. Your interpretation, your viewpoint, your carefully crafted context, pacing, slant, format, narative editing or mood setting is not missed. You get in the way. Let the viewers at it, and if they want your expert professional packagaing, they have your number.
This is what Youtube is, and if your submissions don't match it, they will be ignored. Once you understand Youtube and other viral video sites, you will gain an appreciation for not only what they are, but for what you do and your medium.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, appreciate it!
Simply by raising this question indicates there are many different definitions, approaches and meanings as to what makes a "YouTube video" a "YouTube" video.
When someone in a meeting says they want a "YouTube video" do they mean they would like a worldwide, award-winning documentary that I co-produced on the atomic missions to Japan? Or do they mean they want a video like the one that shows you how to peel a potato?
For me, personally, I'm not sure. Hence, my question :-) Seeking clarity is a good thing.
Tom