Amazon Video Direct: Middleground Between Netflix and YouTube
After announced a few days ago the launch of their video streaming service, many jumped in to compare it with . Truth, users of the service offered by the Seattle-based online retailer will be able to upload their clips and watch videos at ease, but authors will also be able to decide whether they want their content to be available to everyone, to rent or own, offered through subscriptions or become part of the range under Amazon’s $99-a-year Prime paywall.
The pay-for-content model means that traditional advertisement might not be the service’s main source of revenue and it provides an interesting opportunity for creators on good material to be rewarded for their work. Another important difference, explained by thedrum.com is that “YouTube was built from the grassroots up while Amazon’s video proposition has always been top down, and based on commissioning quality content rather than user-generated content.”
in fact, the time and effort needed to upload content on Youtube is only a fraction of that required to do so with Amazon’s new service. This is perhaps a way to discurage “on-the-go” low-quality posts, and appeal to a more professional or dedicated range of content creators.
This includes content-driven brands such as Condé Nast and The Guardian, as well as those outside the entertainment business but with an interest of publishing engaging and original pieces, such as Matel. It is also a platform with huge potential for up-and-coming directors and audio visual artists, including those in the Web Series scene.
The step is a logical progression of what Amazon’s been doing recently, since they’ve already have launched video offerings with original content and quality productions as well as deals with providers such as HBO and Epix.
Not quite “the new Netflix” nor “the next YouTube”, Amazon Video Direct aims to make a place for itself by tackling content-savvy companies as well as that intermediate niche that is still too unknown or inexperienced to be featured in more mainstream media, but has a superior quality and level of dedication than most of what’s out there on the online video giant.
Dub Web Fest is the First Webseries Festival in Ireland. Established by French Filmmaker and Web Series Creator, Mikael Thiery and Videography Ireland Director, Erol Mustafov, The Dublin Web Fest (DubWebFest) unites digital media and tech worlds. We showcase screenings, host Youtube panels and welcome TV and Film production professionals to Dublin’s Filmbase over the course of three days.
Coming in November and receiving submissions until September 15.
Click here for more info.
