As Movies go, "Cooper and the Castle Hills Gang" is really standard kid's fare - a gang of kids on a mission, general moral lessons, and the standard hi-jinks. It's a well produced film, however, and the appealing cast and entertaining plot line that should keep kids engaged. It's set in the real-world upscale Texas community of Castle Hills, nicely presented as an ideal planned community. That's no accident.
"Cooper and the Castle Hills Gang" turns the idea of product placement upside down - for it is, in itself, a product created to promote the Castle Hills community. I discovered the film on Apple's trailer site - and found that it was available to view in full on at castlehills.com. Was it some sore of a pay-per-view scheme, I wondered? A site from which to order the video? As it turned out, castlehills.com is the community's sales site - on which poster art for the sixty-minute film serves as a link to a page of links to playable 8-10 minute sections of the film, and a behind-the-scenes short. They play smoothly- even on my iPad..
Though Coooper, the the boy who film's central character, does talk about his community as being the best anywhere, and shares with us the general features that, in a kid's eyes anyway, make it a great place to live, most of the film is plot driven (and never, by the way, leaves the confines of Castle Hill). Like most kids in similar communities, he "owns" his community.
Yes, it's clearly a blatant advertisement for the community - but it never pretends to be otherwise. After all, as of this writing, it's only available to view by visiting the community's website. I find that infinitely more appealing than spending $10 or more for a movie in a theater and being bombarded with contant, endless product placement.
While this sort of arrangement might not work for other types of cinematic fare, I think the producers may be on to something here.
...and I'd love to know how they managed to have their trailer listed on the Apple site, alongside the theatrical releases...
Friday, April 8, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
My First iPad Impressions
[Check out and subscribe to my new iPad exploration channel, http://youtube.com/ipadaccordingtorich ]
With the purchase of new Ipad 2 (64 gb wifi-only, to be exact), I feel as if I've entered a new chapter in my social media explorations. I've only had the iPad for a few days, but I'm already beginning to see just what this half-laptop, half-iPhone is really all about.
The iPad, and many of the tablet competitors on the market, are particularly well-designed for the developing social media life-style. Yes, we can update Facebook and Twitter via smartphones, but those websites are better managed on the larger screen of a computer - or the more portable iPad/tablet computer.
Tablets allow for a more casuaul life-style. We're no longer chained to a desk, or even to the comparatively limited physical options of a laptop. The e-book revolution, of course, is connected to all matter of tablets, from the iPad to e-book dedicated devices. I wasn't sure how comfortable I would feel about e-books - but so far, I'm convinced.
There are limitations, of course. I certainly wouldn't attempt to edit a professional video on my iPad - but for most of my social media and word processing needs, the iPad is a pretty good option. More to come!
With the purchase of new Ipad 2 (64 gb wifi-only, to be exact), I feel as if I've entered a new chapter in my social media explorations. I've only had the iPad for a few days, but I'm already beginning to see just what this half-laptop, half-iPhone is really all about.
The iPad, and many of the tablet competitors on the market, are particularly well-designed for the developing social media life-style. Yes, we can update Facebook and Twitter via smartphones, but those websites are better managed on the larger screen of a computer - or the more portable iPad/tablet computer.
Tablets allow for a more casuaul life-style. We're no longer chained to a desk, or even to the comparatively limited physical options of a laptop. The e-book revolution, of course, is connected to all matter of tablets, from the iPad to e-book dedicated devices. I wasn't sure how comfortable I would feel about e-books - but so far, I'm convinced.
There are limitations, of course. I certainly wouldn't attempt to edit a professional video on my iPad - but for most of my social media and word processing needs, the iPad is a pretty good option. More to come!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Content Creation: Some Next-Phase Brainstorming
I'm currently preparing for the upcoming International Family Film Festival, which will be showing my film, "Bollywood Steps" on Saturday, March 19th. I've prepared a poster, will make flyers available, and will generally attempt to "work" the festival to achieve my primary goals, which relate to generating future projects. I'm been pondering my next steps. Here are some current thoughts:
I also have the sense that, as the saying goes, "nothing will ever be the same." My interest is in wholly incorporating and adapting "social media" tools and hardware to create a newer form of expression, combining "documentary" type filmmaking with the immediacy and intimacy of social media. The challenge, I think, is that any creation might be transitory by nature. Some elements - recorded and edited video, for example - might be preserved, other more interactive elements would lose some of the sense of discovery that only exists in real time. In much the way that the news stories of the day - Libya and Japan for example - are more immediately a meaningful "social experience" than ever before, less critical stories, experiences and pure entertainment will eventually engage audiences in the same way -
I don't think that particular "art" is wholly developed as yet.
At this point, from my perspective, a typical web series exists as a single element - the final video. Everything else drives the audience to create viewership. I have to wonder if there could be another model incorporating multiple channels simultaneously. Paradoxically, I don't believe that scheduled entertainment (as in traditional television) will return to dominance. I continue to watch developments with fascination, and look forward to my own upcoming explorations in this new form of content creation.
I also have the sense that, as the saying goes, "nothing will ever be the same." My interest is in wholly incorporating and adapting "social media" tools and hardware to create a newer form of expression, combining "documentary" type filmmaking with the immediacy and intimacy of social media. The challenge, I think, is that any creation might be transitory by nature. Some elements - recorded and edited video, for example - might be preserved, other more interactive elements would lose some of the sense of discovery that only exists in real time. In much the way that the news stories of the day - Libya and Japan for example - are more immediately a meaningful "social experience" than ever before, less critical stories, experiences and pure entertainment will eventually engage audiences in the same way -
I don't think that particular "art" is wholly developed as yet.
At this point, from my perspective, a typical web series exists as a single element - the final video. Everything else drives the audience to create viewership. I have to wonder if there could be another model incorporating multiple channels simultaneously. Paradoxically, I don't believe that scheduled entertainment (as in traditional television) will return to dominance. I continue to watch developments with fascination, and look forward to my own upcoming explorations in this new form of content creation.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Milo Resurfaces!
Recently, a video surfaced related to the development of the "Milo and Kate" concept that was introduced at the 2009 E3 conference. Milo was intended as a product for what's now called 'Kinect," the add-on hardware for the XBOX 360 game system that allows for a more natural interface with the game system. Though currently scaled back, the original concept combined the ability to recognize and interpret use motion, voice and facial recognition, and an advance in artificial intelligence (or, at least, the ability to create the illusion of artificial intelligence). The 'Kinect' system isn't quite as far reaching as promised (at least not yet), but the promise of this advance in gaming (and human-computer interaction) is still exciting. Take a look:
"Emotion Capture" - Directing Milo from John Dower on Vimeo.
This recent video explains the concept behind Milo, and in particular, the idea of "Emotion Capture." Many people looked at the Milo idea and dismissed it as uninteresting, pointless - and deceptive. Actually, by design, it was deceptive, as the interaction between user and on-screen character is really a sophisticated "smoke and mirrors" illusion. Designer Peter Molyneux admitted as such. Many people looked at the game play videos and pronounced the product dead on arrival. In fact, the full concept has never been revealed, and I'm fascinated with the somewhat unimaginative disdain many have expressed. A great deal of attention has been paid to the idea that the primary character in "Milo and Kate" is a ten year old boy. Why, some ask, would anybody be interested in interacting with a little boy? It was even suggested this was part of the reason that Microsoft killed the program. Without knowing the full concept, of course, that's pure speculation.
Like more traditional storytelling, however, it's clear that the world of Milo could be hugely effective and engaging. Imagine a thriller, or a horror based story in which "Milo" is a central figure. Imagine an interactive version of "The Sixth Sense" (I see dead people), in which the boy not only sees dead people, but hears voices as well - and you're that voice? Do you terrorize or guide the central character. Do you drive him insane, or defend him from those who would harm him? The possibilities of this sort of interactive storytelling are endless. Whether "Milo" ever sees the light of day, I look forward to the full realization of the technology.
"Emotion Capture" - Directing Milo from John Dower on Vimeo.
This recent video explains the concept behind Milo, and in particular, the idea of "Emotion Capture." Many people looked at the Milo idea and dismissed it as uninteresting, pointless - and deceptive. Actually, by design, it was deceptive, as the interaction between user and on-screen character is really a sophisticated "smoke and mirrors" illusion. Designer Peter Molyneux admitted as such. Many people looked at the game play videos and pronounced the product dead on arrival. In fact, the full concept has never been revealed, and I'm fascinated with the somewhat unimaginative disdain many have expressed. A great deal of attention has been paid to the idea that the primary character in "Milo and Kate" is a ten year old boy. Why, some ask, would anybody be interested in interacting with a little boy? It was even suggested this was part of the reason that Microsoft killed the program. Without knowing the full concept, of course, that's pure speculation.
Like more traditional storytelling, however, it's clear that the world of Milo could be hugely effective and engaging. Imagine a thriller, or a horror based story in which "Milo" is a central figure. Imagine an interactive version of "The Sixth Sense" (I see dead people), in which the boy not only sees dead people, but hears voices as well - and you're that voice? Do you terrorize or guide the central character. Do you drive him insane, or defend him from those who would harm him? The possibilities of this sort of interactive storytelling are endless. Whether "Milo" ever sees the light of day, I look forward to the full realization of the technology.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Social Media Conudctor
As I write this, I'm waiting for the official announcement of the film schedule for the International Family Film Festival, where my documentary, "Bollywood Steps" will be screened. It's empowering to have so many channels to send out information like this - vlogs, blogs, twitter, Facebook and the like. The challenge, of course, is learning to use all of these tools together to achieve specific goals.
I was in the school orchestra only up to fifth grade, but I remain fascinated with the the frenetic, mysterious, raving gestures of the conductor, guiding dozens of individual musicians toward a uniform goal of creating beautiful music. I'm equally fascinated with the truly effective "conductors" of the social media world - those individuals who are working to achieve specific goals, and are using all of the available outlets in concert to reach those goals.
If you follow Gary Vaynerchuk (author of social media's iconic book, "Crush It"), you have noted his multi-tiered efforts to build excitement for his upcoming book, "The Thank You Economy." In addition to simply reminding people that it's already available for pre-order, he's been engaging his followers by asking for promotional ideas, inviting them to small, randomly called chat sessions in the middle of the night, provided links to chapter previews, and, of course, constantly thanked his followers. He's promoted the purchase of multiple copies of his new book, and even created limited-time incentives to encourage participation. Vaynerchuk the "conductor" is leading his social media instruments toward something more inviting - sweeter music, one could say - than the hard sell. While everything is aimed toward selling one specific product, his social media efforts are all about engagement.
Personally, I'm intrigued with the challenge of creating such a campaign that might reach - and expand - the decidedly fringe-within-a-fringe audience to which this particular documentary appeals. I'm also intrigued with the challenge of accomplishing all of this with a still very modest social media following.
I'm taping my conductor's baton on my virtual podium. Wish me luck!
I was in the school orchestra only up to fifth grade, but I remain fascinated with the the frenetic, mysterious, raving gestures of the conductor, guiding dozens of individual musicians toward a uniform goal of creating beautiful music. I'm equally fascinated with the truly effective "conductors" of the social media world - those individuals who are working to achieve specific goals, and are using all of the available outlets in concert to reach those goals.
If you follow Gary Vaynerchuk (author of social media's iconic book, "Crush It"), you have noted his multi-tiered efforts to build excitement for his upcoming book, "The Thank You Economy." In addition to simply reminding people that it's already available for pre-order, he's been engaging his followers by asking for promotional ideas, inviting them to small, randomly called chat sessions in the middle of the night, provided links to chapter previews, and, of course, constantly thanked his followers. He's promoted the purchase of multiple copies of his new book, and even created limited-time incentives to encourage participation. Vaynerchuk the "conductor" is leading his social media instruments toward something more inviting - sweeter music, one could say - than the hard sell. While everything is aimed toward selling one specific product, his social media efforts are all about engagement.
Personally, I'm intrigued with the challenge of creating such a campaign that might reach - and expand - the decidedly fringe-within-a-fringe audience to which this particular documentary appeals. I'm also intrigued with the challenge of accomplishing all of this with a still very modest social media following.
I'm taping my conductor's baton on my virtual podium. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Okay, So I Didn't Post Every Day!
My intentions at the beginning of the year were to update at least one aspect of my social media landscape this year. That didn't last too long!
What the exercise did accomplish, however, was to guide my thinking into an ever more constructive use of the tools available to me. Part of that is time - it's been a year since I've started my dedicated social media adventure. At the same time, my long-standing documentary project, "Bollywood Steps," is in the process of being released into the world. A film festival next month will provide the ideal launching pad to promote the documentary. Everything is converging. Critical Mass, anyone?
If you've been watching my vlogs, I've spoken of my film on occasion, and I'm beginning to see the emergence of Bollywood Steps in the social media world. It's a modest beginning, but it's what I've been hoping for all along My press efforts for the film will also include my efforts as a vlogger. The more I continue, the more I see a direct connection between the documentary world and the vlogging world, and I'm working on several fronts to expand my intentions to bring that concept to a wider audience. I look forward to sharing some of those efforts shortly.
I'm also intrigued by the possibility of exploring aspects of the vlogging community in a future documentary. More on those ideas later...
All told, I'm still fascinated with where this is all heading....I suppose you could say that while I'm not obsessed with using the tools, I kinda like what I'm building!
What the exercise did accomplish, however, was to guide my thinking into an ever more constructive use of the tools available to me. Part of that is time - it's been a year since I've started my dedicated social media adventure. At the same time, my long-standing documentary project, "Bollywood Steps," is in the process of being released into the world. A film festival next month will provide the ideal launching pad to promote the documentary. Everything is converging. Critical Mass, anyone?
If you've been watching my vlogs, I've spoken of my film on occasion, and I'm beginning to see the emergence of Bollywood Steps in the social media world. It's a modest beginning, but it's what I've been hoping for all along My press efforts for the film will also include my efforts as a vlogger. The more I continue, the more I see a direct connection between the documentary world and the vlogging world, and I'm working on several fronts to expand my intentions to bring that concept to a wider audience. I look forward to sharing some of those efforts shortly.
I'm also intrigued by the possibility of exploring aspects of the vlogging community in a future documentary. More on those ideas later...
All told, I'm still fascinated with where this is all heading....I suppose you could say that while I'm not obsessed with using the tools, I kinda like what I'm building!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Present Is the Past
The ever-accelerating evolution of technology and social media has, I think, rendered contemporary novels set in the present instantly dated upon publication. The expanding use of smart phones, Twitter, Facebook, and even tablet computers make even the most recent novels seem almost quaint.
I first took note of this phenomenon in Stephen King's 2009 novel, "Under the Dome" about a New England town suddenly and mysteriously cut off from the rest of the world by a huge invisibly and impenetrable dome. While the residents of the town were able to access the internet, the story included a sub-plot involving a small town newspaper and efforts of the powers in charge to put it out of business. The publisher/editor of the newspaper, we learn, stubbornly (and conveniently) refuses to go online with the publication - even when she's trying to communicate important news to the stranded residents. In this day and age, her attitude seems nothing but contrived for dramatic purposes.
I'm currently reading "Skippy Dies," a darkly subversive novel set in a contemporary Irish boy's school. While I can't claim even the most basic knowledge of Irish school life, I can't help but wonder about the underlying social media fabric that would run through this story in reality, but is virtually ignored here. I'm absolutely enjoying the book, but I'm still curious about the extra dimension social media would add to the story.
Of course, novels by their nature aren't produced instantly, and the nature of social technology is such that even a a novel written to today's reality will already be dated a couple of years down the line. For years, cell phones have caused countless headaches for writers of contemporary thrillers, as placing someone in peril is a bit tricky if they can instantly call for help.
Creating fiction reflective of our world, at least in a technological sense, is becoming ever more elusive. At least for me, it's also a reminder, I think, of the exciting fundamental changes in our social and technological lives.
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