The Blog for Video 2.0

As had been speculated earlier in the month, News Corp. (NYSE: NWS) and its studio Twentieth Century Fox have signed a deal with Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) to allow users to rent the latest Fox DVD releases by downloading a digital copy from Apple’s iTunes platform for a limited time, reports FT, citing sources. No pricing info in the story, though an earlier report in June pegged it at around $2.99 per rental.

The new deal will likely be announced at the Macworld show on January 14, and FT portrays it as a deal that “has the potential to transform film distribution.” I am not so sure the consumer market is ready yet...also, download speeds and time, usually on the higher side for movie files, still matter. Also, the Disney movie downloads on iTunes haven’t burned the charts yet in any meaningful way.

One interesting twist that will help, though: Besides the online rental deal, a digital file protected by Apple’s DRM scheme FairPlay will be included in new Fox DVD releases, enabling film content to ripped to a PC and video iPod. DVD content can already be moved to an iPod but this requires a bit of an effort.

Labels: apple, ipod, movie downloads, movies

The HungryFlix Movie Trailers iPhone app has been listed in Apple's iPhone Web App Directory. You can find the link here HungryFlix iPhone Movies.

Users can use the app to view great indie film trailers directly on their iPhone. WiFi connection is recommended.

We are extremely proud to be listed in Apple's iPhone application list.

Labels: apple, hungryflix, iphone, movies

Any independent filmmaker or producer knows how difficult it is to acquire funding. Micro Filmmaker Magazine has published an article on "Fund-Raising For Your Micro-Budget Film.” The article is written by two filmmakers who have raised funds for three separate films one at $28k, one at $26k, and their last film around $10k.

The article gives details on a variety of film fundraising options: investors, credit cards, scrimping, grants, favors, and found money. This is a great read if you’ve never tried to get financing for a film before and can give you a good idea of what options are out there for you. You can check out the article Fund-Raising For Your Micro-Budget Film.

Labels: filmmaking, independent film, indie film, micro-cinema, movies, no budget film

Apple released the iPhone to much hype and fanfare. It billed the device as three devices in one. It was a revolutionary product for the cell phone industry. But the iPhone is having an effect outside of the mobile phone and computing industries. In fact, we belive that history will show the iPhone's release as one of the single biggest events in the history of independent filmmaking.

What, exactly, does the iPhone--a mobile phone/internet device/widescren iPod--have to do with indie film? Well, a lot. The movie download market must prepare for a great new phase as we look forward to more and more great devices capable of playing our content.

For independent content to survive and thrive, it must move to new delivery devices like Apple TV, iPod and now the iPhone. Support for these new devices will lead to growth in the audience for indie content. Many "mainstream" consumers will not view indie films at screenings, festivals or DVD. The films are too hard to find, often barried in video rental store shelves or playing in small art house theaters. This has been the case for the past few decades. Once every five years there is a breakout hit--a Clerks or Blair Witch--that gives the indie community something to rally around. The independent movie press declare, "We've arrived. This is the 'Year of the Indie'". Just as quickly as these hits arise, the excitement dies down and the great content made in the aftermath gets lost in the shuffle.

Now, for what may truely be the first time, consumers will have in their hands a great portable media device. You may argue that the iPod with video or the PSP have existed for a few years. But, these are devices that most people do not *have* to carry at all times. These are "luxury" devices that we carry when we want to. Cell phones are vastly different. Most Americans now carry their cell phone at all times--to the gym, on the bus, walking through the mall, at the ball game. We always have our phones with us. Now that Apple has delivered "the best iPod ever built" (Apple's words) and snuck it inside a phone, we now have a captive audience that will always have viewing capability.

This is, or has the potential to be, huge. Just look no farther than the iPhone's home screen. Right there on that gorgious 3.5" screen is a direct link to everyone's favorite dancing-cats-meet-dancing-teenagers clip sharing site, YouTube. Think about that. Apple put YouTube directly on the home screen of their revolutionary new device. Now, this could be entirely motivated by a new advertisting or search revenue deal Apple has struck with Google. But even if it is, the fact that YouTube is on the home screen of the iPhone can not be ignored.

Apple believes in mobile entertainment. They created the iPod so that we all could enjoy all our music at any time or place. Now, we are closer than ever to that dream for video. The iPhone's 3.5" screen has a resolution higher than many computer monitors. It displays MPEG4 H.264 video beautifully--better than any portable device ever has. These quality features combined with the simple fact that people will actually have the device with them, lead to great market opportunities.

Of course, the iPhone is, for now, a niche device. It's high price tag mean that it won't be found in the hands of many teens or college students in the near future. But just as with all technology, the price will drop over time. The iPhone will also force other handset makers and cell providers to design better devices. Devices that compete with the iPhone. When this happens, consumers win.

HungryFlix.com is ready to help independent producers, filmmakers and musicians in this new distribution world. We believe that this new class of mobile devices will open the doors to great indie content. It is time to get onboard. There are hundreds of thousands of movie and music fans out there with new devices that are hungry for great content.

http://www.hungryflix.com

Brian Andrews is an independent filmmaker and producer and CEO of http://www.HungryFlix.com, an online film distributor focused on new media.

Labels: independent, indie film, indie movies, iphone, ipod, movies, short films

Apple Inc. has a media event entitled "The Beat Goes On", scheduled for 10am PST today. The rumor mill has been going full force, with the most popular suggestions being complete updates to the iPod line. The biggest rumor is that of an iPhone-without-the-Phone iPod, or commonly known as the "widescreen iPod."

HungryFlix.com has been waiting for this "true video iPod" for two years. We feel that Apple will finally deliver today and that music and movie fans across the globe will rejoice.

And of course, once you get your shiny new widescreen iPod be sure to stop by HungryFlix for some great movie downloads.

Labels: apple, iphone, ipod, movie downloads, movies, video downloads, video ipod, widescreen ipod

HungryFlix.com just received a great documentary, America's Chemical Angels

The problem of giving psychoactive drugs to millions of American children is rarely discussed in mainstream media. However, over the last three decades, there has been a continuing scholarly debate about the wisdom of putting millions of American schoolchildren on a lifetime prescription of psychoactive drugs to control behaviors and improve grades. Now, the federal government is bringing up the issue of dangerous side effects from those drugs.

Labels: documentary, drugs, movie downloads, movies, Ritalin, teens

HungryFlix.com is now holding an Apple TV Giveaway. Just visit the site and create an account to be registered to win a 40GB Apple TV.

We love watching great films in the comfort of the family room or den. We know that you will too. So join now and get your chance to win.

HungryFlix.com is the spot for independent film downloads All content is compatible with iPod, PSP and now Apple TV.

Labels: apple tv, contest, download, movies, win, youtube

Move over YouTube---you can now view HungryFlix trailers right on your iPhone.

We are proud to release a Beta version of the HungryFlix Trailer application for iPhone users.

Click on a thumbnail to view the trailer. You will see a QuickTime image with a blue play button. Click the blue play button. Bbe patient for the file to download.

http://www.hungryflix.com/iphone.php

Labels: apple, indie film, iphone, movies, trailers, video, youtube

HungryFlix.com is holding our first contest, an Apple TV giveaway. Just regsiter for an account between July 20 - Sep 30, 2007 and you will be entered for a chance to win.

HungryFlix is the home of indie movie downloads for iPhone, iPod, PSP and Apple TV.

We are extremely excited about Apple TV and the opportunities it will open up for independent filmmakers and producers.

Stop by, create an account and download some great indie films today.

For contest rules please click here.

Labels: apple tv, contest, free, giveaway, hungryflix, iphone, movie downloads, movies, win, youtube

We've been working hard to fix issues with the web site in order to make everything work well under the iPhone's Safari. Good news is that progress has been made. You can now view MPEG4 trailers right on your iPhone!

So for all you movie fans on the go, you can now view free trailers right on your iPhone. Move over YouTube--HungryFlix is coming.

We are thrilled with this development. To see some examples visit:

The Prisoner:
http://www.hungryflix.com/view_media_movie.php?mid=550

Wages of Sin:
http://www.hungryflix.com/view_media_movie.php?mid=488

The trailer window will appear with a small blue "Play" button in the lower right corner. Click that to activate the iPhone's built-in QuickTime player.

Labels: digital video, hungryflix, iphone, movies, trailers, video, youtube

Unless you've been living in a cave, under a rock, or on the Dark Side of the Moon you know that on Friday June 29th Apple's new iPhone finally hit store shelves. Thousands of Apple and mobile phone fans waited in hundreds of lines for hours just for the privledge of dropping $499-$599 on the shiny new mobile phone/internet device/widescreen iPod. Analysts and tech geeks hailed the iPhone's arrival as a momentus event in the cell phone industry. I'm here to tell you that history will show the iPhone's release as one of the single biggest events in the history of independent filmmaking.

Hun? What, exactly, does the iPhone--a mobile phone/internet device/widescren iPod--have to do with indie filmmaking? Well, a lot. The movie download market must prepare for a great new phase as we look forward to more and more great devices capable of playing our content.

For independent content to survive and thrive, it must move to new delivery devices like Apple TV, iPod and now the iPhone. Support for these new devices will lead to growth in the audience for indie content. Many "mainstream" consumers will not view indie films at screenings, festivals or DVD. The films are too hard to find, often barried in video rental store shelves or playing in small art house theaters. This has been the case for the past few decades. Once every five years there is a breakout hit--a Clerks or Blair Witch--that gives the indie community something to rally around. The independent movie press declare, "We've arrived. This is the 'Year of the Indie'". Just as quickly as these hits arise, the excitement dies down and the great content made in the aftermath gets lost in the shuffle.

Now, for what may truely be the first time, consumers will have in their hands a great portable media device. You may argue that the iPod with video or the PSP have existed for a few years. But, these are devices that most people do not *have* to carry at all times. These are "luxury" devices that we carry when we want to. Cell phones are vastly different. Most Americans now carry their cell phone at all times--to the gym, on the bus, walking through the mall, at the ball game. We always have our phones with us. Now that Apple has delivered "the best iPod ever built" (Apple's words) and snuck it inside a phone, we now have a captive audience that will always have viewing capability.

This is, or has the potential to be, huge. Just look no farther than the iPhone's home screen. Right there on that gorgious 3.5" screen is a direct link to everyone's favorite dancing-cats-meet-dancing-teenagers clip sharing site, YouTube. Think about that. Apple put YouTube directly on the home screen of their revolutionary new device. Now, this could be entirely motivated by a new advertisting or search revenue deal Apple has struck with Google. But even if it is, the fact that YouTube is on the home screen of the iPhone can not be ignored.

Apple believes in mobile entertainment. They created the iPod so that we all could enjoy all our music at any time or place. Now, we are closer than ever to that dream for video. The iPhone's 3.5" screen has a resolution higher than many computer monitors. It displays MPEG4 H.264 video beautifully--better than any portable device ever has. These quality features combined with the simple fact that people will actually have the device with them, lead to great market opportunities.

Of course, the iPhone is, for now, a niche device. It's high price tag mean that it won't be found in the hands of many teens or college students in the near future. But just as with all technology, the price will drop over time. The iPhone will also force other handset makers and cell providers to design better devices. Devices that compete with the iPhone. When this happens, consumers win.

HungryFlix.com is ready to help independent producers, filmmakers and musicians in this new distribution world. We believe that this new class of mobile devices will open the doors to great indie content. It is time to get onboard. There are hundreds of thousands of movie and music fans out there with new devices that are hungry for great content. Feed Your Portable!

Labels: hungryflix, iphone, ipod, iTunes, movie downloads, movies, online video, video download, youtube

After over a year of negotiations with Hollywood, the biggest name in piracy is going legit.

BitTorrent today is launching its digital content store, featuring movies, TV shows and videogames from partners including Fox, Lionsgate, Paramount, MGM, and MTV Networks.

It also has content from several indie distributors, such as First Look, Palm Pictures and Japanese company Kadokawa, as well as TryMedia, an online vidgame distributor with titles from Activision, Ubisoft and Vivendi Games.

BitTorrent software is a peer-to-peer protocol, which is free and used by tens of millions of people around the world, primarily for piracy.

As a result, Netco has the advantage of a very well-known brand name among online downloaders and a very popular Web site, but it will go up against powerful competitors already in the market such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon.com, and Wal-Mart.

Premium TV and movie content won't be well differentiated from other sites, as BitTorrent is offering the same usage rules and prices and is missing several partners, such as Disney, Universal and the big three broadcast nets, that are already working with others.

But BitTorrent has more indie partners and will try to stay true to its roots as a peer-to-peer application by including high-quality user-made videos alongside Hollywood content in its search results.

BitTorrent has been working aggressively to filter pirated content on its own site and will make users click a button to see search results from outside servers, which it doesn't control.

Movies will only be available for digital rental, not permanent downloads, based on company's observations of demand at other websites based on the DVD-equivalent prices studios offer.

"I just don't know who in marketing at the other stores thinks that $25 movie downloads are going to do it for consumers," said Navin.

This reinforces the business model of HungryFlix.com, which provides short films and video downloads at prices starting from just $0.99.

In addition to selling TV and game downloads and movie rentals, BitTorrent will start offering free ad-supported TV shows in the near future.

It's launching in the U.S. first, but company has international rights for most content and plans to hit foreign markets soon.

Labels: bittorrent, download, movies, online distribution, online video

Adams Media Research has released the results from their "Video on the Internet" management report. In the report they claim that the online video market will see significant growth in both ad-supported and paid download models.

AMR’s analysis claims that the advertising model will dominate in the early experimental period of 2007-2009. But as significant numbers of homes connect their TVs to the Internet, consumer spending on downloaded movies and TV shows should expand rapidly and exceed ad spending substantially by 2011.

The state that new devices that bring video into the family room will help push for more downloaded content. Users can download movies today from Apple's iTunes, HungryFlix.com, Google Video and other sites.

Labels: apple tv, download, iptv, movies, online distribution, online video

Are you making the next great action movie? Or maybe a Star Wars or Matrix fan film? Well, you are going to need some great special effects to help create the illusion of being in another world. Look no farther than these great effects packages to help you create your masterpiece.

If you are on no budget and just need some lightsaber effects here are two utilities to help.

First for the Mac is Naked Software's Crimson FX. Crimson FX is an effect generator for Quicktime movies and DV streams designed to make adding laser and light blade effects (and possibly other effects) as easy as possible. Crimson FX

For PC users, LSMaker will do the trick. This freeware app gives you tons of control over your lightsabers. The companion LSSound adds geniune sound effects. LSMaker & LSSound

Need lightsabers, gun muzzle flashes, explosions? FXHome.com has the software for you. EffectsLab creates stunning visual effects. Combine that with the fact that the package is both affordable and easy-to-use and you have a real winner. Check it out at EffectsLab

For the professional crowed, there is Adobe After Effects. AE is a wonderful package with tremendous third party and community support. But at $699-$999 make sure that you need the extra features before purchasing.

Once you have created your master piece be sure to sell it at the best movie downloads site on the web, HungryFlix.com.

Labels: effects, indie film, movies, software

Apple announced in a joint statement with Lionsgate that more than 150 movies from the studio would be added to the iTunes store by the end of the month.
“We’re delighted to offer these incredibly popular Lionsgate films on iTunes, and look forward to adding even more films in the future,” said Steve Beeks, president of Lionsgate. “iTunes lets users download these wonderful films to watch on their computer, TV or iPod, so movie fans can take their favorite Lionsgate films with them anywhere.”

iTunes customers will be able to purchase blockbuster Lionsgate films like “Terminator 2,” “LA Story,” “Basic Instinct,” “The Blair Witch Project” and “Dirty Dancing” and more than 150 titles coming to iTunes this month. Lionsgate joins Paramount and Disney, who just recently announced that it had sold over 1.3 million movies since it joined the store.

It appears that the release is limited to a portion of Lionsgate's catalog rather than new releases, similar to the current deal with Paramount.

This adds to the options available to customers in the US. Movie fans can also download movies from HungryFlix.com, which offers great independent content not available on iTunes.

Labels: apple, apple tv, ipod, iTunes, media, movies, online video, studios, video distribution

Convergence at it's best. Here are two big players joining forces. TiVO owners will be able to download movies from Amazon's Unbox service directly to their TiVo units.

TiVo really has an interesting role here. Amazon and TiVo are planning for the service to be available on 1.5 million TiVo boxes soon. That is a great installed base to begin with. This could also usher in a new era for TiVo where they could move from their high monthly subscription fees and into more paid downloads and advertising supported content.

Here at HungryFlix.com, we provide MPEG4 movie downloads that can be made compatible with TiVo. We hope TiVo will open their technology to other online distributors and allow our content to be pushed easily to the family room.

More info at http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070207/tc_nm/tivo_amazon_download_dc_4

Labels: convergence, download, movies, video distribution

Ready to make your movie? Here are a few simple tips to help you on your way. These are things I've learned from books, online resources and my own experience making short films. Enjoy...

1. It's the Story, Stupid....filmmaking is story telling. You need a good script. You need a story that you are passoniate about telling. When you don't have a budget, chances are you won't be blowing up buildings or having long chase scenes to entertain your viewers. Focus on the script. Get a tight, interesting script on paper before you shoot anything.

2. Use the equipment you have...or rent--don't buy. Is your only camera a $300 Handcam? So what. Use it. Even the cheapest consumer MiniDV camcorder can give good results when you use a tripod and you light properly. Don't feel that you need to rush out and buy an brand new HDV cam, or a new boom mic, or Final Cut Pro. Shoot with the equipment you alreay own. Learn your equipment and more importantly, learn the craft of filmmaking. Trust me, there will be many more things limiting you besides your equipment.

3. Plan, plan and then plan some more. After the script you need to prepare a shot list. This is a break down of every shot within every scene. List the location, actors, props, type of shot (Close Up, Wide, Medium), camera moves, etc. The shot list will allow you to play your day. If the first and last scenes of your movie take place in the same location with the same actors you can shoot them back to back. This limits your camera and lighting setups which is vital. In addition to the shot list you need to scout you locations, gather your equipment (cables, bulbs, batteries), have PAs to pickup actors and get food.

4. Get tons of coverage. You never have enough. You never have enough takes, enough angles, enough shots. Shot it again. Even if you think you got it, you probably didn't get it. If you planned your day well (see #3) then you should have enough time to get plenty of coverage.

5. Treat everyone with respect. Actors are interesting people. They are probably working on your film for free. Treat them with respect and kindness. You are the director not the dictator. Get opinions but make the final decisions yourself. Your crew is vital. Find a good crew and treat them well.

6. Keep making films. Make tons of shorts. You'll learn something every time. Try different things and keep growing. You'll never stop learning and you'll never stop having fun.

Watch some great films at http://www.hungryflix.com

Labels: camcorder, digital video, filmmaking, how to make a movie, movies, NLE, tips