Something I found interesting written by someone else.
The Terence and Philip Show, Episode 22 – Thunderbolt. http://tinyurl.com/4g9wkqy
You’ve likely heard about the new interconnect technology called Thunderbolt now that it is released, but Lightpeak during development at Intel. With two 10 Gbit/sec channels this has some interconnect power, at budget pricing. It’ll make a big difference when momentum gathers.
We also talk about the implications for hardware design, and whether or not there will be need for a “tower” configuration in the future.
Netflix To Enter Original Programming With Mega Deal For David Fincher-Kevin Spacey Series ‘House Of Cards’ http://bit.ly/ewSQgH
In yet another sign that modern distributors don’t feel like waiting around for the legacy industry (with the good content) any more. In a move that presages what could happen more widely, particularly if Apple and Google started into production.
There’s zero reason why any of the new content aggregators or distributors couldn’t go to the exact same producers and production companies that produce for the network and cable outlets, for exclusive content for their distribution.
EXCLUSIVE: Video streaming juggernaut Netflix is becoming an original programming player. In what is probably the biggest gamble in its 14-year history, I hear Netflix has outbid several major cable networks, including HBO and AMC, for  Media Rights Capital’s drama series House of Cards, executive produced and directed by David Fincher and exec produced by and starring Kevin Spacey.
Negotiations are still going on, but I hear Netflix landed the drama project by offering a staggering commitment of two seasons, or 26 episodes. Given that the price tag for a high-end drama is in the $4 million-$6 million an episode range and that a launch of a big original series commands tens of millions of dollars for promotion, the deal is believed to be worth more than $100 million.
Massive Research On ‘Piracy’ In Emerging Economies Released; Debunks Entire Foundation Of US Foreign IP Policy http://tinyurl.com/6lfu6dp
I’ve long said that I welcome good research into the issues surrounding unauthorized distribution, because the “studies” sponsored by industry groups are elaborate hoaxes debunked by none less than the US Government Accounting Office.
I could quote sections of the article on the report but really, if you’re concerned about “piracy” and have believed any of the BS from the MPAA or RIAA’s debunked reports, then you owe it to your business future to read at least about the report. Either at the Techdirt.com article above, or over at TorrentFreak.com.
Power to the People: The Democratization of Film http://tinyurl.com/4d6o3wq
This is a really good read by Jeff Steele that starts with how production has been democratized through the use of less expensive tools. That ignores a whole lot of costs associated with quality production that aren’t associated with less expensive tools of production, but let’s allow the point for the moment.
His primary point is that, while production is democratized, financing and distribution are not. Again, I wouldn’t argue.
Ditch the Satellite Truck: Livestream
http://tinyurl.com/6c26ey3 More disruption of traditional approaches.
Whereas a live remote feed in even recent times was a chore involving a large vehicle and loads of gear – and more than a little smarts to set it up – now Livestream have a dedicated box for less than $2000 that takes video and audio input and live streams it from anywhere via Verizon’s 4G LTE network, with upload speeds of up to 8 Mbits/sec.
That’s a little low for really high quality HD at about 1/3 the rate of AVCCAM at 24 Mbits/sec but it is possible to push a good quality 720P signal through that bandwidth.
Â
YouTube Buys Next New Networks in First Big Content Acquisition http://tinyurl.com/45zosv6 As well as beet.tv’s coverage, paidcontent.org and Silicon Alley Insider have coverage.
As I suggested over a year ago, Google are getting into the content business. As rumored two months ago, Google have purchased Next New Networks for an undisclosed sum. This makes sense as Next New was heavily dependent on YouTube for distribution.
Tools for Connecting with Bloggers, Twitterers, Superfans and Groups http://tinyurl.com/2vpuv2e
In the modern era of independent production and distribution, the “first audience” is a core concept. Find the first audience – those that will be interested in the topic of your independent project, and reach out to them first.
Finding appropriate bloggers, tweeters, groups (and hopefully) superfans, is the challenging part. These tools are designed to help with that.
No really suitable section for quoting as it’s all just good reference material.
For Every Entertainment Industry Job ‘Lost’ To Infringement, – 12 Jobs Be Created Elsewhere? http://tinyurl.com/4vtott2
It’s an interesting piece of research particularly int he light of the discredited (by the US Government Accounting Office) “studies” by the RIAA and MPAA, which never take into account any potential positive of unauthorized distribution, aka free publicity.
Armies of Expensive Lawyers, Replaced by Cheaper Software http://tinyurl.com/4aplu9h
This is a fascinating article on how software can detect patterns of behavior from thousands and thousands of pages of documents. This technology goes way beyond searching for keywords:
The Terence and Philip Show Episode 21: Talking about the “new” Final Cut Pro http://tinyurl.com/69c9mqw
This is the show where we talk for twenty eight and a half minutes about a version of Final Cut Pro that neither of us have seen, nor have any real information about. We make some intelligent guesses on what to expect.
It’ll be fun to revisit this after the new Final Cut Pro is released.