YouTubeLive

I will be the first to admit, that in the past few weeks, I have began getting a little bored with YouTube. I have my certain 'keywords' that I like to search, and I'm assuming, like other people, they are oftentimes related to current happenings. But once those events are not so happening anymore, the demand for videos subsides.

One example would be videos depicting key players in the Presidential election. Prior to November 4th you could find new videos about John McCain, Barack Obama and Sarah Palin (sorry Joe Biden) almost hourly. Now, they are few and far between.

Although usage on YouTube is still above and beyond that of almost every other website online, numbers have gone down. As a way to bring something new to it's viewers, YouTube is holding an event, open to anyone, on November 22nd, called YouTubeLive.

(info. from New York Times.com)

The event has a variety of guests/performers for viewers to enjoy. Singer Katy Perry, who has her own personal YouTube channel will perform. As well as the two hosts of Mythbusters, and other people who have become celebrities in their own right because of the growing popularity of their YouTube videos.

The website advertising this upcoming event, is immaculate in and of itself. There is SO much to look at like a countdown that gets down to the seconds until the premiere. As well as a list of featured performers. And advertisements for contests, such as "Name that Virgin Atlantic Airplane".

There are also other media facets available, such as a link to RSVP your attendance on Facebook, or add the event date to your YouTube account. Convergence perhaps?

Tony Hawk, you're my hero.

The more I explore YouTube, the more I see how simplistically complicated it really is. I could be totally off on this idea, but I sort of feel YouTube to be a combination of convergence, collective intelligence, and transmedia storytelling. Now, let me explain....

As stated by our text, Convergence Culture, each of these terms, individually, can be defined as:

• Convergence: The flow of content across multiple media platforms, and, the cooperation between multiple media industries.


• Collective Intelligence: The ability of virtual communities to leverage the knowledge and expertise of their members.


• Transmedia Storytelling: Stories that unfold across multiple media platforms, with each medium making distinctive contributions to our understanding of the world, a more integrated approach to franchise.

Now, I'll keep explaining...

After viewing this Guitar Hero World Tour commercial, I hope that several different mediums were apparent to you.

This is a commercial, which is a parody of a famous movie advertising a video game based on music starring professional athletes, on the Internet.

Now, I would hope that the convergence is rather apparent. There are six different mediums represented in a 30 second commercial. I think that collective intelligence is not too hidden either. Although a majority of the mediums were all professionally created, their placement on YouTube was not, and can easily be sought out by anyone who wishes to view it.

Finally, transmedia storytelling, slightly less self-explanatory. Although the merging of all six mediums does not come together to display an overall message, some extra knowledge is required.

Take for instance, if you are not very familiar with professional athletes. In this particular commercial, Alex Rodriguez (baseball), Tony Hawk (skateboarding), Kobe Bryant (basketball) and Michael Phelps (swimming), are featured. And each male athlete is wearing a piece of clothing that represents their particular sport. The first time that I saw this commercial I did not recognize Tony Hawk, therefore was very confused as to why one guy was wearing a helmet. I still enjoyed the commercial prior to learning who he was, however it made much more sense once I could identify with each character.

Other instances where this may be helpful? Younger generations (which presumably, this commercial is targeted for) are less likely to recognize this infamous scene from the film Risky Business which was originally performed by Tom Cruise. Again, the advertisement will still be enjoyable because it combines famous athletes with a popular video game, however, the entire effect will not be felt.

YouTube: The Adolescent Years

Executives for YouTube are discovering the lack of validity their website bestows upon viewers. With sites such as Hulu are attempting to overshadow YouTube, by making it appear young, juvenile, and under experienced.

Initially, when you visit the Hulu homepage, you are instantly greeted with a well-organized, visually-appealing array of options. Although the actual amount of video options Hulu offers is embarrassing compared to the millions + YouTube posses, Hulu's quality vastly outshines YouTube's quantity. Hulu also offers full length episodes and movies as opposed to the short clips found on YouTube. And, most importantly, all videos found on Hulu are posted by the actual creators, therefore no copyright infringements can be addressed.

BUT, and that's a big but...

I'm not turning my back on YouTube just yet. In hopes of becoming more credible, YouTube is in the process of 'growing up'. They have a long ways to go, but the intentions and prospects are good...

YouTube is gradually pulling themselves from their initial grassroots approach to media, in hopes of broadening their prospective (professional) users. Although YouTube does not intend to completely uproot, they are still inviting users to post their fan videos, spoofs, and musical tributes, they are trying to deflect illegal postings (such as videos without permission).

Some ways in which YouTube is 'growing up' you might ask?

An article in the New York Times (online) addresses the sites initial baby steps...

They (YouTube) have established a VideoID system, which makes it easy to recognize whether or not the video in question was legally placed on the website, or not. If the video does not have the VideoID, the corporation who owns the rights to the video has two options. First, they can pull the video from YouTube. Or, second, they can add advertisement to the video.

In a much larger stride towards Internet maturity, YouTube has paired up with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). This partnership allows YouTube the rights to certain full length feature films, as well as complete episodes of television shows.

MGM currently has complete control over which shows and films will be featured on YouTube, and currently it is a very small selection, which hopefully will grow, as popularity increases. Production companies are hoping that a partnership with YouTube will help to diminish the 'pirating' of films and television shows.

Hopefully, this will help YouTube to keep up and be a valid competitor with Hulu currently and in the future.

YouTube: The Extended Cut.

When opting to upload a video, one warning that appears states that videos any longer than ten minutes must be split because they are too large, and do not comply with the YouTube user agreement. Much like everything in life, there are ways around this rule. However, in YouTubes' case, the exception only applies to more corporate users. Users such as The Associated Press, CBS, and various (National) news stations are able to upload videos of much greater lengths. (For example Senator John McCain's acceptance speech for the Republican National Convention runs 55:58 and can be found on YouTube, posted by C-SPAN.)

Allowing users to upload videos longer than ten minutes can be very beneficial for viewers. In instances such as McCain's acceptance speech, if an "average" user were to try and show this video, they would have to cut it in to six different pieces. Causing a viewer to have to avidly seek out each individual piece, which can take away from the overall quality and enjoyment of the video.

On October 10th, The New York Times published a story about another route YouTube plans to take (Thank-you, Dr. Platt). YouTube will start offering television channels such as CBS to include full-length episodes of certain television shows. This helps YouTube to compete with other video-casting websites that already offer such options. It can also be beneficial to users who do not have recording devices such as DVR and TiVo.

I think this can prove to be a great idea and addition for YouTube. Amongst the T.V. shows that CBS will be airing on YouTube are some shows that primarily are only on Showtime. So if you do not have cable, you would not normally be able to watch these shows. But by adding them to YouTube, it can broaden their fan base.

The catch? Because there always is one...
Viewers will be forced to watch an advertisement before and after the show they are watching. As well as one amidst the show.

CommercialTube : advertise yourself

Throughout college I have taken various forms of media classes. I cannot remember exactly which class it was, or when I was introduced to a life-changing concept, but my media experience have never been the same. This concept, you may ask? Product Placement.

Prior to learning about this, I never realized how prominently product placement is used in modern media. Now, I cannot watch an episode of Desperate Housewives without noticing that every character drives some form of Chrysler/Nissan/Aston Martin on the show. Or, that any time you watch some sort of press conference or interview with an Olympic athlete they have a Coca-Cola bottle in their hand, or make some reference to 'craving a Big Mac'. This concept has become second-nature to my media enjoyment, however sometimes I find it to be a bit annoying. I would like to enjoy a show, or watch an interview without feeling as if I am constantly being persuaded into buying something.

One thing that I really appreciated about YouTube was the fact that it was user-ran therefore little to no advertising was involved. I could seek out whatever sort of entertainment I was looking for without being bombarded by Nike Swooshes or a personal testimony on how delicious a Hardee's Thickburger is. However, much like every aspect of media, YouTube is 'keeping up with the Joneses', and now advertisement is slowly making it's way on to my computer screen.

Oftentimes, YouTube does not allow you to upload videos that are any longer than ten minutes. Videos such as these sometimes bestow a banner-style advertisement across the bottom of the screen. This new addition really bugs me, because oftentimes it covers up parts of the video. Although you are able to 'x' out of this advertisement, it is still bothersome. Occasionally, there is also mini-ads before and/or after the video that are announcing the release of a new CD or the premiere of a new movie.

Although this does bug me a little bit, one way which I feel it could be beneficial is if they could create some way to customize the advertisement. If I am seeking out a YouTube video on George Clooney, then prior to my viewing, show me an advertisement for his latest movie that is coming out next month. I believe this will be better received by viewers because then at least they feel like some thought and care was behind the advertisement, rather than just extra dollar signs.

All knowledge resides in YouTube...

YouTube is a fantastic example of collective intelligence on the Internet. As Henry Jenkins simply puts it, collective intelligence can be defined as,

"No one knows everything, everyone knows something, all knowledge resides in humanity." *

With this, people are encouraged to build and grow off of each others' expertise.

YouTube embodies this theory wonderfully. As long as it is appropriate and complies with the user agreement, YouTubers are invited to add whatever they wish to the website. Some people choose to add less thought-evoking videos such as tributes to their favorite celebrities. However, others choose to broadcast themselves as a way to inform, or persuade the public into what they feel/believe/think/etc. And everyone is encouraged and welcomed to search for and view whatever sort of topics they may choose.

Although personal accounts are more popular on YouTube, public organizations have them as well. Corporations such as Johnson & Johnson, Senator John McCain, The Associated Press, and Oprah. These people/groups use their YouTube page as a way to inform the public and post videos they feel may be of interest.

Underneath the screen that shows the videos there is an area that encourages user comments. Some people choose to simply say, "Wow! I loved this video". However, some actually give input or additional information, allowing the video creator to further the accuracy and/or quality of whatever they may have posted.

YouTube is a great way for people to share and retrieve information, no matter how mind-altering it may or may not be.





(*Collective Intelligence definition is not the actual definition, rather Jenkins' interpreted definition.)

This one's for you, Crystal...

I had created another blog guiding you throughout what a user account (they are referred to as 'channels' on YouTube) actually looked like. However, once I was almost done I saw that I had recieved a comment on a previous post, and decided to redo my post.

Crystal was not aware that I was new to YouTube, and had some questions about the differences of being an actual user as compared to just visiting the website. So, I thought this should be explored a little more.

By simply typing in the URL, http://www.youtube.com/, everyone is taken to the same opening page. This page has various videos displayed at the top that are currently being watched by other people as well as videos that are being promoted (by accounts such as the Associated Press, etc.). There is also the search bar where you can enter key words for certain things you may be looking for. If you are not a registered user this is about as far as you get to explore.

Non-registered users are welcome to search and cruise throughout the website for as long as they would like. However, they may not be able to access every video they wish to. Registered useres have the option when they upload videos whether or not they would like to allow everyone or just those signed up to YouTube to view their videos.

Non-registered users do not get to create any sort of member profile. Therefore, they cannot save their favorite videos, or recieve or post any comments on videos. They also cannot post any videos themselves, only view videos.

On the other hand, registered users basically have free reign over YouTube. They are encouraged to rate one-another's videos, as well as post and comment on them. We also can create a favorites list so we don't always have to perform searches to see the videos we like the most.

So, depending on the amount of activity one wishes to have while exploring YouTube, a user account may or may not be beneficial. I hope this slightly cleared up any questions!