Internet TV
Posted March 7th, 2007 by Matthew in CommentsOkay, so there’s a new video up today called How to Watch Internet TV. Check it out, it’s not too shabby for a video I almost ruined by being a total douche not being able to fall asleep the night before. Sometimes I think insomnia strikes when you just have too much stuff going on because your body is exhausting you to the point where it has to shut down and turn everything off. Yes, tangent.
The interesting thing about the Internet TV video is that we got the idea to do it from a contest that Network2.tv is running. Network2 is a content site, where you can watch all sorts of nifty user videos and arrange them into channels. They were holding a contest where producers (that’s us) were tasked to create videos on How to Watch Internet TV. Or, How DO YOU Watch Internet TV, depending on which contest blurb you’re reading on their site.
Now, I’m not really into contests. I’m not sure if I ever have been. Maybe. g14’s been pretty lucky in entering things so far, we have a pretty good track record. But I’m not really big on entering into contests because I learned from way back that it doesn’t really matter how good or bad you are (to a degree), what matters is the mindset, perception, and taste of the people who are judging you. Now a lot of people might call this sour grapes, and that’s fair, I’m sure that’s part of it too. At the same time, I’m just not a fan of jumping into competitions, because the production world as a whole is competitive by nature. Why bring that sort of stress into the thing that’s supposed to be fun?
However, I certainly don’t have a problem entering things into a contest if it means that we’re going to get a nifty new short film out of it. “Lonely” was created for a contest, and then we never entered it because we missed the deadline spending so much time on post. But that’s cool, because it wasn’t ever about entering the contest, it was about creating this kick ass short flick.
So, in case you were wondering, that’s why g14 doesn’t enter more competitions. Well…that, and entry fees for most of those things are just silly expensive. Seriously. They’re insane.
What about you all? Are you competitive? No? If you were in our position, would you enter into more stuff?
Matthew
December 31st, 1969 at 4:00 pm
Well, Matthew, since you asked. . . I am completely disinterested in contests. I think, like you, that they are dependent on the judges and the winners are arbitrary. (That goes for big shows, like the Oscars and Grammys. People take them entirely too seriously when they are based on the opinions of human beings. It would be different if, like, God were voting–THEN, I would take them seriously!) Anyway, I’d much rather have the pleasure of viewing a new g14 short every Wednesday than hear that you won some award. Your award, frankly, does nothing to tickle my fancy; a short film with dudes talking about cuddling or ninjas sneaking up on Kel is a much better way to brighten my day. So, no, I would not enter more stuff. Why stress yourselves out like that? You could have a tagline for that, you know–”g14 productions; we crap on trophies!” or “g14; where we spend more time on films than acceptance speech writing.” You know?
ps–I have wicked insomnia too, Matthew. It sucks. WTF?
December 31st, 1969 at 4:00 pm
Matthew, you pose interesting questions. There’s definitely an opportunity cost here: on the one hand, the average entry fee is expensive, and there is no guarantee that your investment will be returned. Also, the time you spend on the application process could be spent creating additional content.
On the other hand, just entering gives you exposure AND you could win a poop-load of money. Plus, as you rock stars have already learned, winning recognition for your very hard work can feel pretty awesome if you don’t let it go to your heads. Oh, and putting a big check on your fridge (I refer you to Izzy from “Grey’s Anatomy”) might be cool!
Really, this is a debate for the ages. My advice would be to take the chance when you’ll grow because of the experience, and keep looking for all kinds of opportunities to grow your public. Just last night, I gave g14 productions a plug in class, and everyone was super interested. If even one of them tells the right person about a piece on the site…
Before I sign off: loved “How to Watch Internet TV.” Joey’s calm demeanor matched with Matthew’s violent enthusiasm were an emotional powerhouse!
December 31st, 1969 at 4:00 pm
And, hey, how about the g14 productions Blogging Contest?! Tell your friends: http://www.g14productions.com/news.php.
December 31st, 1969 at 4:00 pm
A blogging contest? What did you have in mind?
We’ve tried to have a couple of contests, but quite frankly, we don’t have the audience for it. It would be like giving stuff away to our friends. Which…we do. Although it takes time to get there.
Hey, we’re busy making stuff.
But what would your Blogging Contest entail?
Matthew
December 31st, 1969 at 4:00 pm
I think she’s talking about when we were complaining we didn’t have enough comments. I believe NotJim won some loving from Jeff. That’s me, kids!
December 31st, 1969 at 4:00 pm
She is, in fact, talking about that contest. So it’s over?! I thought it had just begun. I’m behind in the times. Sigh.
December 31st, 1969 at 4:00 pm
Wicked insomnia? Check! That’s interesting… I wonder if creative people tend to suffer from it more often than the other worker bees. Contests? Not terribly interested in them, also not naturally competitive, but the perks of winning can be nice, i.e. - getting big names and big checkbooks interested in your work, making it a little easier to do more work. But I agree with JKfC - I’d much rather see people I know and love suffer zombie attacks and Premature Infant Explodey Syndrome than know that g14 has a display case full of trophies and plaques.
December 31st, 1969 at 4:00 pm
Don’t you worry, L-Train. You’ll always get zombies on explodey infants from us. Even if we have big paychecks behind us. And interestingly enough, I just read a big article about how creative types DO suffer from worse insomnia.