- Introduction -
An introduction into the mash up world of the lives of independent content producers. We aim to explore their funding techniques and methods adopted to produce some of the greatest online videos, films, documentaries. In this project you will get to see the case studies of such success and hopefully be inspired to create independent of your own.
Research Background
"Video is well on its way to becoming the dominant medium for communication. In the past, text had been the main vehicle for communicating within the business, entertainment and news and information worlds, but that has changed dramatically in recent years with the rise of low cost video production tools and distribution platforms." (Kless, 2011)
With recent technological advancements such as the rapid uptake of Broadband, high-speed connection Internet, and the large increase in processing speeds by computers and various other consumer electronical gadgets (e.g. high quality digital cameras, digital recorders, mobile phones, etc.), there is now a greater user participation online.This has led to the existence of more accessible computer software tools, such as HTML-generating software, along with software that enable its users to find, edit and create their own audio and video content without being in possession of the professional knowledge to do so. Soon came the proliferation of easy-to-use online publishing platforms, Youtube among others, and a myriad of crowd-sourcing websites, offering users the ability to upload their created audio and video content to the World Wide Web for mass viewing potential. The seemingly endless possibilities are attracting a majority of the times digital natives (individuals commonly from younger age groups with substantial ICT skills) bearing the desire to create and express themselves to a vast audience, and therefore turned to the Internet's broad reach in search of greater interactivity opportunities than what was already available to them through the more traditional media platforms. (OECD Publishing, 2007)
Of course, as with the new rising trend of being an 'Independent Online Video Producer', comes a distinct array of challenges. For one, long before an independent online video producer may begin production, he or she must first face the daunting and challenging task of scraping toether enough funds to afford getting his or her film production off the ground, finding an online audience, and not to mention generating the ongoing revenue to cover any initial production costs. (Chase, 2008)
Choosing the right method of funding then relies on many factors, including the type of content an individual online video producer is intent on and what type of funding method would prove most suitable, effective and efficient for the intended content genre. Without the financial backings of a mainstream media organization, just how can these independent online video producers hope to continue doing what they love to do without burning a hole in their pockets?