The Mobile Age of Video

It was only a matter of time, but it seems we are now getting closer to the time where professional video production aimed squarely at users of mobile devices is upon us.

The latest news story suggesting this is the case was the announcement by Michael Eisner, ex-CEO of Disney, of a new studio called Vuguru, which will be dedicated towards developing professionally-made programming for portable media and cell phone devices. What is unique is the format -- short episodes of approximately one minute for the current production of Prom Queen. Later projects might see programs where episodes last for five minutes or more. Viewers will download the latest episodes to watch while they are on the go.

It is a concept that has gained steam thanks to what we've learned from the YouTube phenomenon, which is that people enjoy short bursts of entertainment, particularly if they are on a short break at work, standing in line at the bank, or commuting to work.

The Internet is, once again, the foundation for a new way to approach media development. Network television has long dictated that a standard TV show last for approximately 22 or 44 minutes (allowing for commercials), so that viewers may know that they can turn on their TVs at the top or the bottom of the hour and begin watching a new program. But that's the way people thought about media in the 20th century. Increasingly, we are demanding the right to watch media on our own terms. We use a Tivo or some other form of PVR (personal video recorder) to allow ourselves the choice of when to watch programs. We use iPods, cell phones, or other PMPs (portable media players) to watch programs wherever we happen to be. And thanks to the Internet, individuals have been able to lead the revolution in programming -- thanks, again, to sites like YouTube plus personal computer software.

So now, someone like Eisner has decided to bring studio-level production to the format. Which begs the question: is there a viable market for this? Can money be made from it, because you know Eisner is looking at this as a profit venture.

Well, again, we need only look at the Internet and online stores such as iTunes to know that many people are willing to pay for content when it means having the right to watch that content on their own terms. As well, the major networks are already placing regular TV programs -- with commercials -- on their websites so that people can watch them later if they missed the original air date. Perhaps money will be made from cleverly-placed ads, or maybe these mini-programs will link to other services as a way of cross-promotion.

In any event, I found myself intrigued by the idea of Vuguru. As someone who is about to enter the film and TV industry through my studies at Vancouver Film School starting in April, I will be looking for all kinds of outlets for my creative ideas. As anyone who has read this blog from the beginning knows, I am deeply interested in the possibilities for mobile devices. Two years ago, I looked at cell phones and iPods as portable educational media delivery systems. Now I'm more interested in the creative arts as a whole. I'll be following this development closely over the next year.