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Title:

Is it a Documentary or an Advertisement or a Video Game?

Your vote:
Yes No
Organizer:
Victory Darwin, BIGLIFE.ws
Description:
Is this wrong, is this insane, or is it new media genius? Documentaries blending information and debate with paid positioning are blurring the lines of acceptability in new media journalism, but for cash strapped movie makers with a message who don't want to sell their soul to venture capitalists, this may be the solution.
Questions
Answered:
  1. How many viewers of "The Secret" know it's secret source of financing was "paid positioning"?
  2. Should there be full disclosure that featured experts paid to be in the film? FCC inquiry says so!
  3. Should there be a CanSpam opt-in following the FBI warning for permission marketing compliance?
  4. Is it ok to make a film just to get paid, instead of creative inspiration and information dissemination?
  5. When advertising is relevant and you like it, is it advertising, or informing?
  6. When you can click and choose your own adventure path through a documentary, is it still a documentary?
  7. At what point does a choose your own adventure flick, become a video game?
  8. Is this a clever way to get your kids to watch a 7 hour documentary that's good for their brains?
  9. Will interactive film make it into the mainstream film industry?
  10. At what point does independent creative genius give way to crowd sourcing?
Level:
Advanced
Category:
Advertising / Marketing
Type:
Panel
Event:
SXSW Interactive 2009
victory darwin
on 8/8/08
an example of this is the interactive documentary www.LIFEinPERPETUALbeta.COM featuring Jason Fried, Jim Coudal, Gary Vaynerchuck, Harper Reed & Threadless crew, John Patterson (Chicago New Media Summit), Bruce George -Def Poetry...
victory darwin
on 8/8/08
...and Dan Pink, author "A Whole New Mind" and "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko"
victory darwin
on 8/8/08
...and Nova Spivack (Twine), and Sidney Levy (the father of brand marketing)
victory darwin
on 8/8/08
the people above are "core content". The people that pay are life coaches and consultants who benefit from the expert positioning. You can see the underpinnings of the marketing machine at www.lifeinperpetualbeta.NET (not .com) Watch the 2nd video which explains the INTERACTIVE part.
victory darwin
on 8/8/08
...This is how we cram 4 hours of content on the DVD, but an individual viewer may take only a 45 minute journey through the film depending on their path.
victory darwin
on 8/8/08
AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT FILM & FINANCING PLAN:
I have invited the creators of "Shadows Under the Radar" to talk about their plan. They charge supporters $29/month to learn what goes on behind the scenes while they are making the film.
victory darwin
on 8/8/08
PANEL PARTICIPANT: John Patterson of the amazingly successful Pixel Brothers and founder of the Chicago New Media Summit.
victory darwin
on 8/8/08
...we are almost at $400,000 raised, and all we had up to this point was a 3 minute movie trailer cobbled together using iMovie (by a life coach!!!)
DeBorah Beatty
on 8/8/08
My curiosity is piqued! This sounds like an awesome option for indie filmakers (which I know several of down in the San Diego Area)!
DeBorah Beatty
on 8/8/08
It's great for a fundraising idea, period!
Floyd Holcombe
on 9/8/08
This sounds Great
brent goodman
on 10/8/08
love to hear the debate on this. sounds like a successful way to finance a film.
brent goodman
on 10/8/08
how does the video game aspect fit in?
victory darwin
on 10/8/08
reply to above: watch www.LIFEINPERPETUALBETA.net 2nd video.
the coaches are optional/interactive content following the main storyline.
plus you can choose your own storyline as you go.
victory darwin
on 10/8/08
***************************************************************

Anyone who would like to join our panel, we MAY have one seat left (that also means a free ticket to SXSW!)

Also if you just have ideas for discussion, or people I should talk to, let me know... call 1.877.777.2469 11am-11pm PST 7days. thanks! ~V

***************************************************************
Joanne Victoria
on 11/8/08
What an idea, to integrate several aspects of marketing in one fell swoop. Beats plain old product placement.

Ken Jensen
on 12/8/08
This is like a good seminar in a way. For people to just sit and listen probably means a chunk of them aren't listening. Get them to interact with you and your message sticks. And in this case, causes action to take place. I think this idea is hot!
Simon G
on 12/8/08
we're making a film...

I want to know how you raised $400,000 without having anything more than a 3 minute trailer.

tell me how to do that and I'll give you 5 lousy stars! lol!

really though... yeah, we'll be there!
Keith Bray
on 13/8/08
You're blazing new ground to me! I follow with interest the things you are doing, and am thrilled you've raised $400.0! I only hope that "overload" doesn't dilute the intent. There are only so many hours available in a day, and people cranking out a poor product can cause overload and turn off!
luv
Stanlee Panelle
on 13/8/08
The ambition and determination of this project is stunning! I think the combined aspects of documentary and marketing bring a personalized experience to the subject and the interactive piece is the cherry on the cake. This style of promotion/advertising is obviously taking over in our world, and as such is crowded by those that will say and do anything to make a buck, hence it behooves those with honest intent to create a positive influence on the world to be very clean about what they do and the interactive piece, altho easily skewed by those of lesser character, can really uplevel the believability and authenticity of such an endeavor. I truly admire the intention and purpose behind this project and, all of what I have seen Victory put forth.
Melissa Pierce
on 14/8/08
I'd love to see some opposing viewpoints about this. I mean, can't art be art for art's sake anymore? This panel should be pretty interesting.
Simon G
on 14/8/08
back again.... forgot to give you the 5 stars last time! ;0
Garth Wyans
on 27/8/08
if it's a great movie, i'd watch it regardless. that's really the main thing. people will always be trying to sell you something somehow.
Garth Wyans
on 27/8/08
actually I have friends who make short documentaries and they would love to learn more about what you're doing, so i'll give you 5 stars too.
Victory Darwin
on 28/8/08
REMEMBER, you aren't voting on whether you agree with this, only whether you think this is an interesting topic for a discussion. SO, OBVIOUSLY YOU SHOULD VOTE 5 STARS ;)
rahul gupta
on 28/8/08
What an idea, to integrate several aspects of marketing in one fell swoop
Sachin Dhamanaskar
on 28/8/08
Creative People have always tried their best to carry on their work with minimal interference in their projects. And Documentary film makers are no different. Media is constantly evolving at a fast pace in this new age of mass communication and film makers have to adopt new ideas to strike a delicate balance between obtaining finance and getting their message through. Personally, I think there should be no strong objections unless principles are being grossly violated. Such an issue needs to be debated in depth to understand its ramifications in a better way.
rakesh kumar
on 28/8/08
This sounds like an awesome option for indie filmakers !! This panel should be pretty interesting.
rathika s
on 28/8/08
marketting is a good field. bringing the new ideas is good to see
Jill Beamon
on 28/8/08
I have no idea how the video games fit in?? Would be a great idea to blend video games with this but I don't see the video games in this idea.
Laura Kurr
on 28/8/08
This does sound like an excellent idea! I want to see how this pans out!! Keep me updated!
Lawrence Kurry
on 28/8/08
This is pretty interesting. . .I'm not exactly sure where the video games come in, but let me know!
Angela Patterson
on 28/8/08
Making the whole thing interactive is a great idea. Would love to hear this one seen through. I personally have no particular experience with this area but would love to see it go on.
Victory Darwin
on 29/8/08
*******REGARDING HOW THE VIDEO GAME FITS IN *************
thanks for the comment Jill, it needs some clarification: ****** this is a CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE documentary. you can use your DVD remote to select from interactive content that pops up during the main movie, so it's like a choose your path video game only in that sense... well, also it's playable on xbox etc and the B-roll has video game effects like ridiculous explosions and stuff.
*******************************
Roger Parminter
on 29/8/08
I don't think it's wrong to present positions carefully and with professional quality standards. As long as everyone is aware that a position is being advocated, who cares?
George Bradley
on 29/8/08
Honestly, I don't feel like this would be an interesting debate.
Tyra Lynn
on 29/8/08
I'm interested in hearing more.
Chris Martin
on 29/8/08
Making the whole thing interactive is a great idea. I want to see how this pans out!
Victory Darwin
on 29/8/08
***************** WHAT IS THE DEBATE? ******************
(I'm the moderator btw) I will have people representing both sides, so guaranteed to be some heated debate. I will EXPOSE how "The Secret" was funded! Did you know that most of the star experts actually PAID to be in it? I will tell you how much and provide proof! ******************
andy young
on 29/8/08
I think this is a sound business model both for the makers and the viewers provided that they are aware of what's going on.
Dan Leblanc
on 29/8/08
Product placement has been common place for movies and TV shows for many years. Video games is one of the new frontiers for this kind of advertising.
Angela Harris
on 29/8/08
Advertisement is fine as long as the ad sponsor does not have the influence to affect the information in the documentary.
Jared Goralnick
on 29/8/08
Definitely interested to see this panel!
Tara Carroll
on 29/8/08
I dont see a problem with this. I agree with Angela Harris, that its ok as long as it is not swaying the documentary one way or the other.
Victory Darwin
on 30/8/08
************** I WILL BE VISITING AS MANY FILM PANELS AS I CAN... and look forward to meeting all of you. ********** I will be hosting a brainstorm call (or several) for anyone who wants to get a head start on ways to create a great panel debate. just click my name to contact me. leave a comment on that page. thanks! ******************
sports betting
on 6/6/09
great info
Convert MTS Files
on 27/10/09
This would be a great asset to your programming schedule!
anti login
on 28/11/09
...This is how we cram 4 hours of content on the DVD, but an individual viewer may take only a 45 minute journey through the film depending on their path.
MTS Video Converter
on 29/11/09
Can't wait to hear about this topic!
cape deh
on 30/11/09
What an idea, to integrate several aspects of marketing in one fell swoop. Beats plain old product placement.
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