Earlier today, we announced a major initiative with the Guggenheim called YouTube Play: A Biennial of Creative Video. Basically, we're looking for animation, motion graphics, narrative, non-narrative, documentary work, music video or even entirely new art forms. The point is to garner some of the finest video-based creative work from across the globe and then to showcase it in a first-of-a-kind exhibit at Guggenheim museums in New York, Bilbao, Venice and Berlin later this year. There's lots more detail on this competition in the main YouTube blog.
And if you've seen the cool call-out video...
...there's also a neat behind-the-scenes video about how they achieved the special effects. It's worth checking out!
A bunch of you tagged videos that came in very handy for our Mother's Day and Pac-Man's birthday spotlights last month, so thanks for reading and contributing!
Now we're thinking about Spotlight Videos (if you don't see this module on your homepage, add it here) for the month of June. Spotlights run a few times per week and showcase interesting and timely videos from our community and partners, all organized around an event or theme. Tag any appropriate and relevant video with the tags below to be considered for these spotlights, and please do so well before the date listed below. Please also note that themes and dates are subject to change and spotlights may be added or dropped without notice.
6/10 - World Cup: who's your team? what are your predictions? let's see what *you* can do with a soccer ball (tag: ytworldcup)
6/17 - E3: we're looking to feature the latest from this year's video game expo (tag: yte3)
6/20 - Father's Day: we've already got a curator for Father's Day set, but if you've got other dad-centric videos tag 'em for our Twitter stream (tag: ytdads)
If you've got ideas for spotlights or want to curate, please leave a comment below with your YouTube channel name.
We've been kinda quiet here in Creator's Corner lately because we've been working hard on our fifth birthday celebration and commemorative channel. Check it out, if you haven't already, and upload your "YouTube Story" video telling us the impact YouTube has had on your life. Many will appear on the video wall, and we'd also like to highlight a few in the weeks to come. Here are some inspirational portraits to get you started -- let's add your story to the mix!
We're thinking about Spotlight Videos (if you don't see this module on your homepage, add it here!) for the month of May. Spotlights run a few times per week and showcase interesting and timely videos from our community and partners, all organized around an event or theme. Tag any appropriate and relevant video with the tags below to be considered for these spotlights. Please note that themes and dates are subject to change and spotlights may be added or dropped without notice.
5/7 - ROFLCon: Did you go to this conference on Internet memes? We'd like to feature funny highlights and YouTube-relevant clips (tag: ytroflcon)
5/9 - Mother's Day: we're looking for videos about moms or for a notable mom to curate (tag: ytmoms)
5/22 - Pacman turns 30: on the occasion of the lil yellow guy's anniversary, we're looking for videos that pay homage to this classic game in creative ways (tag: ytpacman)
If you're interested in being a curator or have ideas for a theme we haven't mentioned, please leave a comment below or email mia@youtube.com. Thanks!
Mia Quagliarello, Product Marketing Manager, Editorial/Community, recently watched "Cupcake Canon."
For a sneak peek of a few feature opportunities coming up in April and how you could submit your videos for consideration, click here. Feel free to also leave a comment below if you have an idea for a spotlight, holiday or theme we should showcase in April. Thanks!
ChadMattandRob are Chad Villella, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Rob Polonsky -- three guys who, simply, "make movies together." Their well-executed interactive adventures are a model of the genre, and so we asked them to make a video revealing how they create these intricate narratives using annotations:
Today, they're featured on our homepage along with the tutorial video and two other strong examples of interactive storytelling. Here's a little more about who they are, how they work and the most important things to keep in mind when making an annotated adventure.
What does your production team look like?
We work with a close-knit creative team (Tyler Gillett, Justin Martinez, Tyler Tuione, to name a few) and thanks to our great friends who help out in exchange for pizza and soda, we're able to work with almost no budget and limited resources. We love that YouTube has developed such a supportive community and has opened the door for creative and motivated people of all ages to create movies of all kinds. We are happy to be a part of that.
What gave you the idea to make this series?
We grew up on the Choose Your Own Adventure books and thought it would be fun to bring that interactive storytelling device to a visual medium. Thanks to the annotations feature, we were able to do that. Cliffhangers, audience participation, winding narratives and multiple endings – those are all devices we love and it's a lot of fun to play with viewer expectations.
How did you go about putting it together?
We like to think of our interactive adventures as a game, so we start each series with a clear goal for the characters to accomplish. Once we have the goal in mind, we write the story and plot it out on a "story tree" like this one from our series "The Time Machine."
In this example, each box represents an individual episode and the arrows indicate the order in which each one will be linked to the others, via annotations. For example, at the end of the first episode (Box #1/"Start Here"), the annotations will link to the following two episodes (Box #2 and Box #3), and so on.
When we shoot and edit, we treat each box as a stand alone episode. In the example above, the entire series consists of nine separate episodes linked together by annotations. The boxes in the left column represent "fails" and the boxes on the right are the "wins" – these are the videos that will continue the story until the viewer reaches the ultimate/final "win" video.
Interactive adventures can be anything you want. Make them shorter or longer, with more branches and offshoots...anything you can think up, you can do – this is just a basic outline. For example, our second series ("The Murder") had three separate and distinct storylines, whereas our other two interactive adventures follow a singular path.
What advice would you give to others interested in constructing interactive narratives?
Have fun with them! Make them anything you want. We've found that the less obvious the choices are, the more fun it is for the viewer and the more invested they become. But ultimately, just get out there and make one. The choices are a natural part of the storytelling process, and you'll find them instinctively as you write. Think your stories out, ask awesome people to help you, and let your adventure begin. Don't worry about your equipment, budget or software. Use what's around you, whatever you have access to. No matter what resources you have, you can always create something.
What's the most common mistake you see people making when building these?
One mistake that's common, and it's one we've made, is not giving a clear goal at the beginning. Keep your viewer engaged by creating a concise end-point they should be striving for the entire time. Think of it as a game; it'll help with the storytelling and the payoff. But that said, experiment and see what you come up with – don't feel restricted in any way.
Tell us a cool fact about these videos that no one would know by looking at them.
Fact #1: We use a lot of our friends as actors and if you look closely, you'll see the same people over and over (usually as the bad guys).
Fact #2: Hidden in "The Murder" are a few alternate scenes; it all depends on when you click the annotation. And in the "The Birthday Party," we hid Easter Eggs throughout.
Fact #3: If you sniff them, they get you high as hell.
What other interactive narratives have you seen on YouTube that inspire you?
They all do! It's great to see the cool ways people use technology to further their creativity. We love the innovative storytelling, the annotation-based games, and the way people utilize the technology to create an international community based around a unique viewing experience. But beyond everything, we love the DIY approach – anyone who wants to can participate.
Martin Luther King Day is just around the corner on January 18, and to honor of Dr. King' s legacy, the Washington Post is inviting its readers and the YouTube community to share which of his words are most memorable and why.
Using YouTube Direct, you can submit your YouTube video response on the Washington Post's own website. Washington Post editors will be sifting through your submissions and keeping an eye out for a selection to be featured on both the YouTube homepage and on washingtonpost.com on Monday, MLK Day.
Here's a video of some of the Washington Post's star journalists reciting a portion of the famous "I Have a Dream" speech:
Dr. King inspired many people from all walks of life while he lived, and his great orations have ensured that his legacy will live on for generations. Just about every schoolchild in the United States, and many around the world, have heard his speeches and listened to the messages within. So, what parts moved you? Do you have a favorite section that means something special? Or a phrase that you find particularly moving or powerful or thought-provoking or even controversial? What are you memories or impressions of Dr. King and the words he left behind?
We want to hear your voices.
There's not a lot of time, so we hope you'll get started on your video soon. Visit the Washington Post site to see other videos and to submit your own.
And here's a link to some of Dr. King's most famous speeches.
Is there one issue facing the world today that you feel passionate about? Have you always wanted to take your cause directly to people who have the power to do something about it, but lacked access to have your voice heard? Now is your chance to make your pitch -- and win a spot at this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where world leaders will gather to hear what you have to say about the issue that matters most to you.
There is just one week left to submit a video for the opportunity to go to Davos. Each year, heads of state, business leaders, and social entrepreneurs gather at the World Economic Forum to discuss the most critical challenges facing citizens and nations around the world. And this year, one of you will get direct access to a special panel of these leaders at the Forum, to let them know why your cause matters.
The submission deadline is Monday, January 4, 2010, and all videos should be no longer than three minutes. Speak clearly and from the heart. Five finalists will be selected by a judging panel comprised of Paolo Coelho, Arianna Huffington and Muhammad Yunus. These finalist videos will then go to public vote on January 8, with a winner announced on January 19.
This is the chance you've been waiting for... unprecedented access to the world's most powerful leaders who can make a difference for your cause. Visit the Davos YouTube channel to submit your video and make your pitch to the world.
phonedog have answered all your questions about how to be a tech reviewer and uploaded this tutorial video. Watch it, then try your hand at reviewing any shiny new gadget you or your friends receive this holiday season. The phonedog team will select three promising new reviewers to feature on the YouTube homepage during the Consumer Electronics Show next month.
Here's a cheat sheet of the tips mentioned in the video:
Production Tips - Make videos first! Worry about gear later - Before you buy lights, search for help on YouTube - Editing is your friend; subtitles are great because they can contain specs (like pricing info) and can reinforce other important information - Overusing video effects is distracting - Don't be afraid to shoot lots of video and edit down
Reviewing a Product - Focus on what people use the device for, but definitely show the new and innovative features about it - Take notes while testing a gadget - Know your specs! - Music can make your videos more lively - Focus on the gadget, remove the clutter - Try shooting in different locations - Be yourself...but be as entertaining as you! - Keep it under 7 minutes if you can
Finding Your Style - Try out different ideas and styles and see what works - Try unboxings, reviews and comparisons (aka "dog fights") - Some ideas work, some don't -- keep experimenting!
Some people say that you're more likely to complete a task if you make a public commitment to do so. With that in mind, today's Weekend Project challenges you to make a New Year's resolution video. Let your friends and family know what you've sworn to do differently in 2010, and you might find the extra motivation to stick to your guns through the start of the year -- even if that motivation comes from some good old-fashioned peer pressure.
Once you've made your video, tag it "yt09resolution" and you might find yourself featured on the homepage at the end of the year.
How you express your resolve is up to you. This New Year Resolution song from RhettandLink reminds us all that resolutions can be tough to keep. Hopefully a video commitment will make it a little easier in 2010.
There's a ton of holiday-themed videos on YouTube, but one fun niche seems to be all the brickfilm expressions of holiday cheer and religious introspection.
We're planning to feature a selection of brickfilm holiday videos on our homepage on Christmas Day, so this weekend would be a perfect time to put those Legos and other building-block toys to work to tell holiday stories and spread some warm-and-fuzzies. Please tag your video with "yt09xmas" so we can find your creation and consider it for the homepage. Thanks!
YouTube can be a powerful tool championing the rights of individuals and promoting free expression. This month, during International Human Rights Day, we're partnering with Morgan Freeman and Amnesty International to encourage you to become advocates for equality and justice, through Video Volunteers.
Here's how you can help. Create a video about the nonprofit of your choice working on a human rights issue that you care about -- it could be genocide, human trafficking, refugee protection, gender equality or something else -- and submit it to the Video Volunteers channelby December 21. Amnesty International and Freeman, who plays legendary crusader Nelson Mandela in the upcoming movie Invictus, will select three videos to appear on the YouTube homepage at the end of the month. Hear more from Morgan about the importance of taking up this cause:
This is your chance to help citizens around the world who often can't help themselves and to bring the vital work of human rights organizations to light. Join Morgan Freeman to protect the rights of these individuals at www.youtube.com/videovolunteers.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, it's a good time to contemplate what you're thankful for and, presumably with work and school winding down a bit, an even better time to make a video. What's more, your video might end up on our homepage and/or on TV on Thanksgiving Day.
This year, ABC News' Good Morning America is asking for videos about the things in your life you're grateful for. They'll pick some of the best ones and broadcast them on Good Morning America on Thanksgiving morning. You can upload your videos here.
Need some inspiration?
julianattaway uploaded this video of kids at day care sharing what they're thankful for:
dare2bxabigail talks about the difficult times her family has been through, yet how many things she's grateful for despite the bumps in the road:
wilvan is thankful for memories he shared with his dad and created this sketch to express his gratitude:
This month, in honor of Thanksgiving and as part of our YouTube Video Volunteers program, we're asking you to make a video on behalf of your nonprofit organization tackling the issue of hunger in America, for a chance to be featured on the YouTube homepage on Nov. 25. So grab your cameras and submit your video by midnight PST on Saturday, Nov. 21. The top three submitted videos will go on the homepage.
Please make sure to read the complete rules before submitting your video and tag your video "ytvideovolunteers" so we can find it. If you need some food for thought, here's a film entry from nsmith345, documenting how a local food pantry in Queens, New York, serves its community:
We're excited to say that support for watching 1080p HD videos in full resolution is on its way. Starting next week, YouTube's HD mode will add support for viewing videos in 720p or 1080p, depending on the resolution of the original source, up from our maximum output of 720p today.
As resolution of consumer cameras increases, we want to make sure YouTube is the best home on the web to showcase your content. For viewers with big monitors and a fast computer, try switching to 1080p to get the most out of the fullscreen experience.
Just how much larger is 1080p? Take a look at the following screenshots from this video:
Standard - 360p
HQ - 480p
HD - 720p
HD - 1080p
Have an HD camera? We would love to see your awesome 1080p videos! Be creative and choose subjects that really show off the beauty of your camera. We will run the best examples on our homepage in a future spotlight.
And those of you who have already uploaded in 1080p, don't worry. We're in the process of re-encoding your videos so we can show them the way you intended.
Next Wednesday, on Veteran's Day, we'll be honoring soldiers and veterans on the YouTube homepage and blog, and we'd love to include community-inspired videos. If you're a soldier or veteran with a story to tell, an organization providing support to veterans, or a citizen with a family member in the service, we'd like to hear from you. Upload a video by Monday, November 9, 2009, and tag it with "ytveteransday" to make sure we can find it. Here are a few examples to get you started:
The MyJourney program* is coming to a close tomorrow, October 24, and we wanted to let all you American videographers know it's not too late to submit your video and potentially win a travel reporting assignment in San Francisco.
Voting will begin on the Lonely Planet channel on November 2, so even if you decide not to make this your weekend project, you can have a say in who gets the prize package.
* My Journey is presented by The T-Mobile® myTouch™ 3G.
In one week, we're planning a homepage spotlight highlighting videos showing how to make cool and creative Halloween costumes and makeup. We'd love to be able to represent a few of you Creator's Corner denizens on our homepage, not to mention the fact it could be a great project to dig into this weekend. If you need inspiration, take a peek at the videos below, then try making your own. Upload it to YouTube by Tuesday, October 20, and tag it with "ythalloweencostume" so we can find it. (And if you're too busy to take part this time, don't worry: the Creator's Corner is the place to get advance notice of opportunities to appear on our homepage, so just add this blog to your RSS reader, follow us on Twitter or join our Facebook group to stay up on those announcements.)
"How To Make a Where the Wild Things Are Halloween Costume" from Howcast:
Corpse Bride Makeup for Halloween from MissChievous:
