We Demand To Be Taken Seriously
In the months following the 2010 Streamy Awards (which made many feel like they looked like the image above due to the nature of the show) it seems there has been a lot of discussion concerning the future of web entertainment. While it’s true there was discussion prior to the Streamy’s, it feels as if opinions have become stronger and more vocal than ever before as a result of the many blunders the award show had. Credibility has been a concern of web content producers from the beginning of this industry that is still very much in its infancy. Just last week a video uploaded in May of this year from WebTVWorkshop featuring Barrett Garese caught the attention of many in the online community: http://www.twitvid.com/ZMY9B
Since last Wednesday many have voiced their opinions on the ideas expressed in the video on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/notes/david-nett/i-shall-call-you-indietv/428701221871), Twitter and a number of blogs such as Taryn O’Neill’s (http://www.tarynoneill.com/post/future-information) discussing technology and art and the relation to web content on YouTube and elsewhere. Also there is Barrett Garese’s follow-up blog to the video posted about four months ago (http://www.barrettgarese.com/post/1054307198/2000-words-on-derivative-bullshit-webtv-and), a more analytical explanation of the passionate forty-nine second rant. Andrew Seely goes on to describe the web community as a playground with everyone having different areas to play and opportunities to make their own rules and think outside the box (http://andrewseely.com/blog/playground-games/). Tubefilter chimed in as well here. These are just a few of the posts that stood out to me on the topic and I am sure there are many more to be found if I had the time.
All in all it has been a very active week in the web community culminating with New Mediacracy posting their latest episode on Monday, Episode 18: The One About "IndieTV" Versus "Immersive Entertainment". It brought together Barrett Garese, Brett Register, Craig Frank, Jamie Blair, Chris McCaleb, Zadi Diaz, and Steve Woolf. The discussion was lively and discussed several topics ranging from interactivity in web content, how to define web content and differentiate it from other forms of media, and how to use the internet to its full potential when creating content. Much more was covered, including Des Moine, Iowa and pizza that I’m not sure ever was delivered, but among everything it became clear too much emphasis is being put on defining things which don’t really matter. It’s true I cringe whenever I hear the term “webisode” used, but in the end whatever is used will be used. The main point of all the discussions taking place is content creators need to think beyond the initial ideas for content and work at finding ways to use the technology in order to make it an experience unattainable in other mediums.
While it is true much of what was on the web first is being adapted by television networks, the internet yet has much potential to be discovered. In order for those developing content for the internet to be taken seriously there is a constant need to keep moving forward. I’m not saying everyone needs to start using HTML5, like is used in the Arcade Fire “Wilderness Downtown” project mentioned in several of the posts this week. It is an amazing example of using technology unavailable elsewhere, but whatever is used to make content unique to the internet needs to be right for the content. Content creators can’t let themselves get stuck in a rut of merely creating television for the internet. If they continue to do so the projects they have put all their time and effort into will simply get lost in the decades upon decades of content posted on YouTube, Blip.TV, Vimeo or any other number of content distributors. No one is saying not to follow your dreams of creating content, but if you want that content to have added value you need to adapt and take risks.
While I may disagree with how Barrett chose to express the ideas he expressed in the video, no one can deny it has given us a push for more honest, open dialogue about the future of web entertainment. In order for web content to be taken seriously we need more public discussions such as those promoted by New Mediacracy and Celebrate the Web. This is really my first attempt at blogging (I know, you thought everyone blogged) in more than 140 characters and I hope I didn’t have too much word vomit thrown in and that I have made sense at least a little. I’m about as far from the center of activity when it comes to web content development as you can get, living in Northern Idaho, but this is an industry that I love and hope to see continue to flourish and come up with new and interesting ideas. Before I start making even less sense I will wrap this up here. If you enjoyed any of this I am glad, and if not than I apologize for wasting your time and as a consolation prize here is a cat video for you to enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bmhjf0rKe8 Take care.
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titsay
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