by John T. Unger

As the barriers of production and distribution continue to lower, the protection of individuals rights as a copyright holder become increasingly relevant. The voice and point of view of the individual have always truly been the only elements that mattered in art. But, in the evolution of our society, expression was often restricted or limited by various forces, some through ignorance and some through intent. We live in an unprecedented age of access. More people have the opportunity to disseminate their views to the world since, most likely, the development of civilization. To lose this rare and empowering moment to old systems built on parasitic philosophies would be an ultimate step backward for mankind. Rather than continue in the broadest terms, I encourage you to read the story of independent artist John T. Unger and consider how many of the constructs of our civilization are not prepared for the value and progress being offered by the voices of its participants.

Last night at the NYTVF Nick Armstrong won Best Director for his series Team A.P.O.C.A.L.Y.P.S.E. Aside from the award Nick received dozens of compliments about his 22-minute comedy pilot. But, they were not just about how funny the show was. There were lots of adulations about how well the characters were set-up and how it seemed like a series that had direction. As someone, who has put out his fair share of short, silly videos, Nick’s pilot makes me think. I was an actor and a consultant on Nick’s project and had a good seat for observing his process.

Process. A process is a functional mechanism for output that is purely unique to each artist. No two artists will have the same process or come to it by the same path. Some may be similar, but no two are exactly alike. What I like about Nick’s process on this project is that he did not allow technology to manipulate it. Rather he manipulated technology and made it fit into the natural course of his filmmaking.

Nick had not directed many things before and never anything this ambitious. He had decided from the get go that this project was going to be his film school. He was going to take the time he needed to learn while working. It took him two years to make his 22-minute pilot. But, now he knows. He knows how he works. He knows what type of people fit well with his filmmaking style. He knows which jobs he can do, which ones he can’t do and which ones he simply does not want to do. He knows how various emotions like fury, fear and despair manifest themselves in his work. But, most of all, he knows his process.

This is not a process that I believe he could have learned from making a three-minute video and throwing it up online. Nick took the time he needed to grow himself and prepare himself to produce his art, his way for a long time to come. This is bravery. This is ambition.

Our technology allows us so many shortcuts and quick tools for creating that it can be difficult to take the time to get to know ourselves and develop a process to best access and represent our creativity. Not everyone needs two years, but I think it is important to make sure that the artists point of view is being served first. The easier it gets to produce product the more important the individual becomes. Only those ambitious enough to grow a strong, clear, personal and distinct voice will stand out from the pack and create enduring content that can truly be called their art.

Why didn’t anyone tell me about this website earlier, I have so many questions to ask……. 

askaninja.com

Promoting a book isn’t easy. Not only do authors need to invest in a marketing plan specific to their location and audience, but they also have to be inventive and imaginative with their strategies.

Of course new authors want to sell books and make some extra cash, and yes, the traditional methods of hosting book signings, culling book reviews from relevant magazines and establishing an Internet presence work towards that end, but that’s not the whole marketing story.

As Gen Y fades into the background and makes way for the next generation of teenagers listening to kid-core and sporting the latest fashion trends, authors need to adapt to the times.

Think about it. Submitting your book to pop culture blogs and hip online magazines just starting out can be as simple as sending an editor a polite email with your ISBN.

Or how about starting a vlog (video blog) hosted by one of the characters in your book. Take Askaninja.com for instance. Though Douglas Sarine and Kent Nichols started their vlog years in advance of their recent book The Ninja Handbook, the benefits they’re reaping from the publicity of their episodes and their publication (not to mention their free audio book) is undoubtedly working to their advantage, both professionally and financially.

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Preview The Ninja Handbook here:

The Point: Maintain your traditional modes of book marketing, but don’t be afraid to branch out into unconventional areas of promotions as well as new, younger audiences. Twenty or 70 years old, you never know who will want your book!

Kent Nichols and Douglas Sarine (aka Ask A Ninja) gave a great session about their views on how to create a successful vlog. The session, called 45 minutes film school (a homage to Robert Rodriguez’s 10 minutes film school, a fact that made me an immediate fan of the guys behind the black uniform), took place in IDC’s blogference, earlier this week.

The Ninjas gave many tips, but here are the ones I found most important:

Organize your operation early – create a legal entity, and divide responsibilities in your team

List what you stop doing as soon as you have the money to do that (did anyone say editing?). This list will make you happier in rainy days

Clearly define your audience and resources. when you have a big idea, amazing concept, always keep in mind what are your real abilities – including time, technical resources, money and such.

Audio is more important than video. People will see a crappy video with great sound, but not the other way around.

Shoot quickly, as much as you can in one session

And, the most interesting thing for me, was their approach to their site. Ask A Ninja started early with their site, and drove as much traffic possible to their homepage. There is an opposite view, that you should push your video everywhere you can in order to get noticed. I wonder if the homepage centric strategy will work well with less viral content.

Thanks Ninjas for a great session! – A rare picture of a Ninja – A look that can kill – Future Ninjas?

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