I am now under so many Non-Disclosure Agreements, I don't think I'm allowed to even talk to myself.
5:20:58 PM  talkback:[]  #  

Looking back at this entry, I placed myself in my current situation. The current project is an experiment and if it's successful, television as we currently know it is going to change. It will be our job, as producers, to make sure we maintain the entertainment value.
11:27:16 AM  talkback:[]  #  

Although I am not allowed to go into it in-depth, the convergence of advertising and television is well under way. From my view, the current project I am on is approaching the entertainment value correctly. The show is slated to begin airing this summer. I'm curious to see how it's accepted (or not).

I'm also beginning to see an interesting phenomenon. Television people are beginning, and I stress beginning, to learn more about technology; specifically learning programming languages. Additionally, I'm beginning to see people whose jobs have been "outsourced" making their way onto (into?) production teams. There is definite cross-pollination going on.

Beyond all of that, I had a meeting over the weekend with a very forward thinking individual...television show patents are next, especially when they blend with technology.

Get ready for a new round...
8:21:17 PM  talkback:[]  #  

As of 3:45p PST, no one has bid on this item:
Helene & Aaron Diamond Ring Package

and I sincerely hope no one does...
3:45:09 PM  talkback:[]  #  

Akimbo is a new "Video on Demand service." I wouldn't go so far as to say it's "On Demand," as you have to first download the content,, but it's is a warning sign for the Networks. It's only a matter of time until the distribution system changes; just look at the record industry.

Our budgets are going to get continually smaller.

Ugh.
2:05:59 PM  talkback:[]  #  

As I mentioned in this entry, I thought the "leaked" movies were coming out of a duplication house. This morning I read this article which states four people from Lighning Media, formerly Lightning Dubs, had been a source of leaks as well.

(I won't get into the fact their site requires Flash.)

Although I don't know the details, I feel that it's pretty obvious what'll happen if you put a 19 year old kid, working a graveyard shift for near-minimum wage, around a popular movie...and then provide him with all the equipment he needs to duplicate the movie. Hmm. I think my 5 year old niece could figure it out.
8:06:24 AM  talkback:[]  #  

So, if TiVo and the rest DVR group manages to penetrate into the living room, what exactly is the point of the Networks (ABC, NBC, etc.) ? I understand the distribution mechanism, but by using TiVo I'll be able to essentially create my own network (with my choice of programming). This isn't really a new idea, I'm just publicly contemplating it.

Why does it matter that "24" is on at a certain time? To be honest, I don't even know what time it's on; I do know it airs on Tuesday evenings. TiVo just grabs 24 for me and my wife and I watch it at our convenience. Extrapolate that out and it doesn't matter what Network my programming airs on nor what time it airs.

Why can't I, as a producer, approach a sponsor and create my own programming? I can buy time fairly cheaply (relative to Prime Time commercial time) and air the programming in select markets. Yes, the programs would be sponsored, but hopefully I can do my job without insulting my audience.

I'd provide content the audience would enjoy and the sponsor(s) would have their logos/products displayed to their potential consumers.

Put another way...I'd produce "sponsored programming" (not an informercial!) and buy time on some no-name cable network at 3a. So long as I could get TiVo to find the program and relate it to other programs, it would be recorded for a target market.

For example: (Yes, it commercialized, but we're heading that way now anyway. I don't see a way out, other than HBO.)

• I'll produce a new cooking show about BBQ. Some BBQ grill company will sponsor the show, so the show can actually get made. Other minor sponsors, like a BBQ sauce company, would provide additional money in exchange for product placement/use.
• The program, done just like other cooking shows (minus the commercials), will air at 3a in the top 10 markets on cable station WXYZ.
• TiVo owners who happen to like cooking programs and accept "Recommendations" from TiVo would discover the program the next day in their list of shows on disk.

The BBQ grill company has reached it's target audience. The audience has received programming it prefers. Win/Win. Plus, the audience hasn't skipped the commercial, so the company's investment hasn't been lost.

Think of it like Amazon's and iTunes related links.

My partner and I have 37 shows in development. Of those, a good portion could be made in this manner. Cooking shows are the tip of the iceberg.

Do you, as a viewer, care that we use A1 Steak Sauce? Or Heinz 57? You're intelligent enough to know that the recipe calls for A1, but you can use something else...right?

Am I off the mark here?
3:09:26 PM  talkback:[]  #  

Wow. After reading this article I wonder how much lower the bar can go.
6:24:58 PM  talkback:[]  #  

The market is changing. According to an article in Fortune magazine, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is now charging for product placement. Infomercial.

Infomercial.

Infomercial.

It works for QE. How we adapt, both as viewers and producers, is going to be interesting (to me at least).
8:12:48 AM  talkback:[]  #  

Okay, I'll bite. Mark Paschal is an undergraduate student at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is majoring in Computer Science. He's chosen to comment on my "Verified Viewing" post.

A little response...

The most prominent feature of the DVR is time shifting. However, the VCR enabled us to do so as well. Time shifting is nothing new. Been there. Done that.

I believe skipping advertising with a DVR is an entirely different experience than skipping them with a VCR. To me, the digital skipping is the most prominent feature. That is what people I show TiVo to "ooh" and "aahh" over. (Then come Season Passes, Suggestions, etc.)

ReplayTV got blasted for the 30-second auto-skip feature. That is the most prominent feature and that is what got the television industry's attention. I know TiVO has the feature hidden and I've even played with it.

DVR manufacturer's deserve a technical Emmy, but many people in the industry play politics. The DVR's are a threat to our current business model. I wouldn't bet on any manufacturers being awarded for their innovation any time soon.

I agree that as a Producer, it is my job to produce entertainment. However, if what I produce doesn't generate enough eyeballs, I'm unemployed. If the network can't sell advertising, they can't pay me. Plain and simple.

I have one foot in both worlds. I work as a Producer and I write software. I know the "ins-and-outs" of both well enough to make an honest living.

If we don't have advertising, how do we pay our staff and crew? Subscription services, like HBO, obviously work. What are our other options? "Verified Viewing" is my proposal. I'm excited to see more.

So, Mark Paschal, if you're willing to fire across my bow (by stating that I don't know what I'm talking about), why don't you propose a solution of your own?
11:29:12 AM  talkback:[]  #  

An arrest!

This Hollywood Reporter article stated that an arrest has been made in the screener case...

"The FBI arrested a Chicago-area man (Russell William Sprague) Thursday on charges of criminal copyright infringement and illegal interception of a satellite signal as a result of the bureau's ongoing investigation into pirated Academy screeners."

Wow! When I read that sentence, I thought Sprague had intercepted the satellite signals of the screeners; possibly being sent from NY to LA. But, alas, he was stealing DirecTV signals and had a few "spare" boxes and decryption cards laying around. The FBI happened to find the DirecTV stuff, while searching for VHS/DVD screeners (which they found along with duplicating equipment).

So, how'd he get the screeners? As it turns out, an Academy member, Carmine Caridi, had been sending the screeners to Sprague, thinking he was a film buff. Sadly, I believe Cardi, who'll probably be expelled from the Academy.

I tend to read the legal agreements I sign. Cardi signed an agreement stating he would not let the screeners leave his home or office. He has admitted he violated his agreement. That's as black-and-white as it gets.
a = signed agreement
v = violation of agreement
e = expulsion

a & b -> e
6:31:43 AM  talkback:[]  #  

According to this Hollywood Reporter article, the "Screener Ban" debate is heating up again.

Before anyone gets "expelled" from The Academy, the accusers better have solid proof (or a confession) the movie(s) in question were leaked from Academy members. I think it's quite possible someone responsible for duplicating the VHS/DVD copies "leaked" a digital copy onto the 'net. The type of access we have in Post-Production to material is unlike any other aspect of production.

Will we follow in the footsteps of the RIAA? Will we go one step further and continue suing each other? Or will we realize our industry is about to change...and embrace the change?
4:43:52 AM  talkback:[]  #