Directing Reel

WARNING: NSFW (Language)

So you want to be a web series director? Or you just want to play one in a web video? Or you want to hire a web video series director?

Well then you should watch a web series director’s demo reel and who’s director’s reel is better to watch than the director who’s videos have been viewed over half a billion times?

He’s won three Webbies, an ECNY, and an Aspen Rooftop Comedy Award. He’s executive produced, directed, and starred in The CollegeHumor Show on MTV and also EP’d, written for, or directed the following web series: “Street Fighter: The Later Years,” “The Michael Showalter Showalter,” “POV,” “Hardly Working,” “Jake and Amir,” and “Very Mary-Kate.”

His Name? Sam Reich

For years now independent producers have been creating, distributing and monetizing original content on YouTube. It’s part time work from home (In some cases full time work) and it’s not selling an illegal YouTube videos downloader.

At a Blip.TV party I spoke with George Strompolos the head of YouTube’s Partnership program. He’s the guy that handles partnerships, deal negotiation, distribution strategy, talent development, online advertising, collaborative web apps and is looking to establish a profitable, scalable market for original content on YouTube.

What’s the easiest way to earn money on Youtube? Watch the video and learn what other content creators are doing to make money on YouTube.

Rhett & Link are a North Carolina-based comedy duo consisting of life-long best friends, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal. They support themselves by creating and distributing their branded entertainment as web videos and songs. They have created over 200 videos with integrated advertising for brands like McDonalds and Coke, Dentyne Gum, Taco Bell, Alka-Seltzer, Food Network, Microbilt, Sanyo, Kotulas, TV Guide, Baby Ruth, Starburst, Hummer, and Cadillac, as well as integrating smaller brands such as Smule, AJJ Cornhole, and iRESQ. There videos have received over 60 million views and gathered an audience of over 400,000 Youtube subscribers.

I had never met Rhett and Link before and they had no clue about me. I had to do a little negotiating with them for this interview at the Blip.TV party but it all worked out with a simple little trade. They gave me an interview after I introduced them to Felicia Day. I love how Felicia is always opening doors for me.

Anyway, in this video they tell me how they first went about getting sponsors and how brands looking to do product placement and integrated marketing now contact them.

Before the 2010 Streamy Awards at a Blip.TV party I had the chance to catch up with journalist and NewTeeVee reporter, Liz Shannon Miller. Among other things Liz told me that if you want to get her or any other reporter to write about your web video series you need to do a few things first.

What do you need to do to get a reporter to write about your web series?

Watch the video and find out?

At an International Academy of Web Television Meeting at the Writers’ Guild of America I ran into Web Series Producer Jenni Powell and she told me what she was up to. If you look close you might see Felicia Day and Bernie Su in the background.

At NATPE’s LATVFest I ran into Jason Sklar and Randy Sklar known as the Sklar Brothers and they told me about the time they pitched their web series to Ex-Disney Chief Michael Eisner poolside at his estate for his web video company Vuguru.

When pitching your web series there a few things you should remember.

1. Know Who You are Pitching.

Before you pitch your web series get an idea of who you are speaking with even if you have just met them at a conference or party. Ask them a few questions about what they do, what kinds of web series they are looking for, what they have done in the past, when they are looking to publish or distribute a new web series.  Take five minutes if you can and research them online. In the sales world this in know as “Qualifying.” Make sure that the person you are pitching wants what you are pitching and has the power to fund and distribute your project. The last thing you want to do is pitch a funny, sexy web series to a mommy blogger site.

2. Know Your Pitch Inside and Out

Take time writing out your pitch and reading it out load while learning it. Make sure that it’s as short as possible and in a conversational tone before you memorize it. Remember, you are going to be telling this to someone not reading it so it should sound natural and be in your voice.  Also keep in mind that the person you are pitching may have questions or want to change things. Practice your pitch on your educated friends and family before you pitch strangers. This will help you anticipate questions and prepare responses.

3. Prepare an Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a short version of what your web series is about. It’s a pitch that should take as long as a short elevator ride. This is a great pitching tool to have at parties and events so that you can create interest in your project in order to set up a meeting where you will have your listener’s full attention. Again practice this on your educated family and friends as well. I say “educated” because the last thing you want is for your mom to say after listening to your pitch, “Oh, that sounds wonderful.” You need push back from someone who knows storytelling so you can make your pitch as strong as possible. After you give your elevator pitch 50-100 times you will learn where it needs to be tightened and where it needs to be expanded by reading your listener’s reactions and seeing what moves their emotions.

4. Know How To Play Emotions

Information, Entertainment and Storytelling are all about moving emotions. If people don’t care about what you are doing or saying in your web series than they won’t watch it. Know what the possible human emotions that will be in your series and bring them out in your pitch. When I interviewed the Streamy Award Winning Sklar Brothers they told me that if you are pitching a funny show you need to make them laugh in the pitch. The same is true for something sad or scary. Remember if you can give yourself goosebumps while telling a story you will do the same to your listener.

5. Don’t Pitch Past a “Yes”

When you hear the person you are pitching to say something like; “Let’s set up a meeting.”, “Let’s do lunch.”, “When can we get together to discuss this more?” , “I love it. I will have our business department call you.” … STOP TALKING ABOUT YOUR SHOW! Say something like; “Great.” Sounds good. What times work for you?”, “I look forward to their call. Are you doing anything fun this weekend?”

Many times inexperienced producers don’t know when to shut up and they will blow the deal by blabbing on and on. Remember every time you open your mouth there’s a chance you will say something that will make them question their decision. Once you hear a “yes” stop talking, wait to be asked another question but do your best to change the subject, get out of there and and run with your “yes’ to the ink drying ceremony of the contract.

This is a Web Video Advertising an iAd Commercial for a Nissan Leaf on an iPhone. That’s right, people are using the web to promote their commercials. Seen any other ones?

If you are trying to decide if you should buy an HTC EVO or an iPhone4 this video might make you feel better about the whole situation.

WARNING: ADULT LANGUAGE

I really enjoyed watching this new Web Series episode, ‘The Prom Date’ from Orbit gum. It’s the first in a new Orbit Dirty Shorts web content series that highlights unusually dirty situations and how Orbit cleans ‘em up. ‘The Prom Date’ stars Jason Bateman and Will Arnett. I hope it’s not just a one off. I’d like to see where this story goes.

According to Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey, people have never paid for content. They have paid for access to content. You’re paying to read this blog post right now. Unfortunately you’re not paying me but instead you’re giving your money to your Internet service provider.

The lesson for product strategists: make more content available, on more devices, in the most convenient ways possible and
“If you want to win, help people get access to content and you will be amazed at their willingness to pay.”

Read more of James analysis at his blog: http://blogs.forrester.com/james_mcquivey