Google and YouTube veterans are offering a new internet experience, launched this week by Howcast Media. Howcast.com features entertaining "how-to" videos and a director's portal for budding filmmakers.
A brief look at the content shows a wide variety of entertaining and well-produced "how to" videos with topics ranging from
yoga instruction to
pretending you are a real New Yorker to
de-boning a chicken. An
introductory video about how Howcast works is a great place to start.
According to the company's press information, "Howcast combines the personality of user-generated content with the quality of a professional video studio." The resulting videos are engaging for viewers, and are becoming a new attraction for internet advertisers.
"Online video is generally split into two worlds: user-generated content and professional studio content," said Jason Liebman, CEO and co-founder of Howcast. “We think there’s an opportunity to bridge these worlds, and instructional video is a perfect place to start. Our viewers can suggest topics and content for videos on any subject they’d like to learn about, no matter how unique. Through our Howcast studio and our directors program, filmmakers can take all of these great user ideas and turn them into high-quality, engaging videos."
Howcast's videos are divided into 25 categories, and a handy search feature helps users narrow down viewing choices to areas of interest. The layout of the site immediately invites you to expand your horizons and look into areas you might otherwise have missed. The video interface allows users a great amount of control of their "how-to" experience, including slow motion, zooming, ratings, and comments.
"Howcast represents the best potential of the much-discussed long tail of internet content -- part DIY Network, part Wikipedia, all wrapped up in an advertising-friendly environment," said Tracey Scheppach, Starcom USA senior vice president/video innovations director. "We welcome working with innovative media partners to find new ways to captivate consumers by providing them informative, useful content that they seek and value, and Howcast is a contact channel where helping and catering to consumers is inherent in the model."
The
Director's Program section of the web site offers "emerging filmmakers" an opportunity to produce content for the site:
The Howcast Directors Program offers emerging filmmakers an opportunity to gain experience, exposure, and income by creating how-to videos. Directors can apply to the program through the Howcast website and can make videos by downloading Howcast’s production elements which include subject topics, how-to text guides, graphics, music, voice-over tracks, and more. The program enables Howcast to grow its video library in a cost-effective and scalable manner while helping filmmakers build their reel, connect with other filmmakers, and get paid.
So, check out
Howcast.com and tell them
Digital Journal sent you. Maybe they'll put up a "How To Write for DJ" video real soon...
