It is a very exciting gathering due in large part to it’s open agenda. The flavor of this year’s talks have a thread of a social media backlash. Not so much as a negativity to it but rather a acceptance and how users should use it and get going. But we shall only see what really happens when the day unfolds.

I am going to do a primer/micro-workshop on using video and if the space is still open I’m going to host a talk on branded entertainment and paid versus free content.  I now have over  year of information on our Surfdonkey show to talk about to help other start their own shows and leverage on new models of branded entertainment.

For those who do not know about Podcamps, they are an open gatherings on the topic of all things web related. But the agenda is set by the attendees (this could even be you) to present a topic and engage an audience to develop a conversation on that topic. There are set time-slots available that anyone, ANYONE, can do a talk on anything web related (blogging, video streaming, design, e-commerce, Facebooking, Twitter how-tos, etc.). You can even host a topic on some you just want to learn more about by facilitating a conversation. Either way it is meant to be for the newbie and the heavy user alike.  I would like to see the proverbial pot stirred up a bit so antagonists please move to the front.

You should come too. What else is going on in the dead of January on a Sunday. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

See you there.

We are now a Charter Member of Nova Scotia Come to Life.  It is a fantastic organization that is exactly in-line with what I believe we can do here in this province.  I have always said, believed in and had it as a philosophy that we can do anything on a world-class level right from our own backyards.  The Nova Scotia Come to Life program recognizes this and waves that flag.

With my specialty for video on the web, this enables me to put that philosophy into action.  I no longer have only a local market but also a worldwide audience to access.  This translates into creating our own in-house productions as well as the marketing benefits for our clients that reach to every corner of the web.  It makes for a very exciting future while maintaining the things I value about Nova Scotia.

Look out for more to come.

SXSW, the mecca of creative and artistic innovation had a panel submission option recently and I put in my own called “DIY Digital Showrunning: How To Create An Online Video Show”.  It was accepted into the panel submission forum (with the other 2210 entries) and now is part of a voting process which will help the option of it being picked for official selection.

The great thing about what I’m doing with SurfDonkey and Bad Dad (and the other shows I have previously started or have in development) is that each one is an evolving case study.  It is constantly changing and I learn and modify with each release.  The other great thing is that it captures the creative spirt that was instilled in me from NSCAD.  Just get out and do it.  Make art. Make work!

So you can help.

Here’s how:

Register at the SXSW Panel Picker then go to my DIY Digital Showrunning panel topic and vote me a thumbs up.

I’ve learned a ton of things about online video and believe that with the right tools and direction others can find their own story and create their own show.  You can too. Just drop me a note by clicking this text and we can talk…after you vote me up of course.

Since we’re on the subject, here is one of our recent in-house productions from the Bad Dad series.

Okay, right off the bat, this is video was not made by me but I am in awe of how effective it has become. I’m in the fanboy category for sure. I talking about Dave Carroll’s video called “United Breaks Guitars” produced by Curve Productions here in Halifax, Nova Scotia. My back yard! Today (July 10, 2009) it cracked 1.2 million views on Youtube after only three days. He has been on CNN, Fox News, ABC News, the LA Times, CTV, CBC, The Huffington Post and on and on. It has crossed over from web to traditional media very quickly and thus driven it’s popularity even more. You couldn’t have planned it any better if you can really plan a viral campaign.

Am I a fan just because it was made locally? Yes. Am I also a fan because it again highlights the power of video on the web to connect, communicate, bring people together, drive a message and entertain and merge new and traditional media? Yep, that too.

Hands down this has become a new viral case study. A new internet meme. Did Dave and his production team expect it to get to this level? I’d say they hoped it would but with any type of viral campaign (and let it be know this is not a marketing campaign but a creative artist using his skill to react to a situation) you can plan and hope but no guarantees in “trying” to be viral. But this is his expertise, music writing and singing. Tied in with a slick and humorous video that resonates with not only people whom have suffered bad service by United Airlines but by anyone who has suffered bad customer service at the hands of a big corporation. He gets put in the David vs. Goliath situation, the underdog spot and people love getting behind that.

It’s also very effective because it is Dave himself with a great story. It adds authenticity far better longer than “Wigout” did. Not that it’s bulletproof but it’s his story through and through.

For me as a video creator, this is awesome to see the effect and (continual) rising popularity. I came across this at about 300 views via Twitter and thought it was just as great then too. This will only get bigger, gain more fame for Dave and definitely give him way more payback than the $1200 repair job to fix that Taylor.

YouTube posted these details about the amount of video being uploaded to their site.  If you don’t already know YouTube owns (or Pwn’s for you gamers out there) the online video marketshare at about 45%.  Their next competitor is at about 4% so if you want to post video on the web, pay attention and get in on their game…and when (not if) you want to start talking about making content to put there contact us.  That’s where we play and what we know best.

“Now, 20 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute, and it is a testament to the fact that you’ve made YouTube your online video home. We couldn’t have built this site without your commitment to sharing your thoughts, experiences, and creativity with each other. We have news clips and full-length shows and movies, music videos and how-to content, sports highlights and animation, short films, homegrown videos, and, yes, all the dogs on skateboards you can watch. There’s an audience for every type of content on YouTube, and we hope that with all this video, you can find whatever it is you’re interested in on the site.”

The full post is available here: “Zoinks!”

Now as I always have several things in the development can, it’s time to pull the top off another series.  Born out of stinky diapers and temper tantrums (our’s) and extrapolated  from our own lives a good friend Michael Amo (professional screen writer and director) and I have unleashed the pilot episode of Bad Dad. Think of it as Entourage, plus 20 years and add kids.

Nothing explains things like the thing itself so watch it, have many chuckles (we did) and pass it around.

Note this may not be office or kid appropriate but is definitely Dad approved.  

We also have a microsite at BadDad.tv to field comments, let us know your “Bad Dad” confession and a place to RSS link to for any news updates and episode releases.