THE CONVERSATION: NEW FORMS OF STORYTELLING

Oct 20 | Author: Roger Erik Tinch

Moderator:

Speakers:

Gregg Spiridellis, CEO Guy, JibJab Media
Evan Spiridellis, Head Art Guy, JibJab Media
Michael Ferris Gibson, Director, 24 Hours on Craigslist & Producer,Truth in Numbers: The Wikipedia Story

Notes:

JibJab Media

Went through 20 different business models since it’s inception in 1999
Most viral and successful video “This Land!” reached 3.5 million hits, but only generated $47,000 in revenue
Length is a critical factor (15 secs – 2 min sweetspot) and it’s gotta have density, the longer the video the more visual gags and jokes must be packed into each minute
Idea for e-cards came about two years ago, social programming for expression
Sendables: Starring You are the most popular, ability for audiences to inject their own relevance
They have a smaller base of followers, but it’s much easier to tailor to
Comedy works because it’s social, you want to share it
Good content always rises to the top

Michael Ferris Gibson

After success of 24 Hours on Craigslist, is now working on Truth in Numbers: The Wikipedia Story which was created by allowing people to contribute to a wiki for film ideas and funding contacts – $60,000 raised so far
Interested in improvisational, people powered projects
Noam Chomsky who appears in the film hated the “thuggery” of Wikipedia, but used it all the time
Filmmaking using the internet is heading towards the idea of self organizing systems