Google vs. Content Farms

Even though this topic is over a year old I still feel the need to talk about it because I experienced it first and still see that Google is working to fix this problem. Back in February 2011 Google went on to change their core ranking algorithm that would force content farms lower on search results.

Content farms are sites that create low quality content to appear higher on search rankings. Sites like this include About.com and Mahalo.com, which populate pages with basic information just to appear within search results. These sites base their revenue on ads and CPV they live and die via where they appear on searches.

The reason behind me talking about is because I was working for Mahalo when Google implemented their new core ranking algorithm. Now I really wouldn’t consider Mahalo a true content because a lot of the content was very information based. Now that information was mostly based around music, video games, photoshop and cooking.

Now Google’s head of web-spam prevention Matt Cutts said, “12 percent of Google’s search results saw some modification.” However, Mahalo felt the affects of that 12 percent results modification and had to deal with downsizing. The change did affect with how sites like About.com pay their writers and video editors who create the countless pages per day.

It’s interesting to see how Google goes about how it ranks sites, but it seems like they are trying to keep their search results ligament. That means forcing content farms and low quality sites below the fold. Of course, Google says that how a company operates is also included in how they rank.

Even though I saw first hand how this change could affect a company, I believe Google did the right thing. These sites can really clutter result pages and most of the time don’t have the correct information populating them. Also, by doing so Google is forcing sites to really work on creating quality content to help them raise their rank. 

The Power of Reddit

So you a blog post, video or image you want to share with the world because you feel it will take off. However, you are just some random person on the Internet and have no real powerful outlet to share your work. If only there was a place you could post the link to your work and let the Internet do its job. Well there is actually a site that could make or break your work and that is Reddit.

Reddit is “the front page of the Internet” and was founded in 2005 by Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian. The is a mix of social networking and message board that allows users to either upvote or downvote all the content shared. Users are able to set the kind of content they wish to view by subscribing to specific “subreddits” that relate to numerous topics. With 3.8billion monthly page views it is fair to say that Reddit could be your distribution gold mine.

Of course, you could hope that the views and shares you can get through simply tweeting and posting on Facebook will help spread your content. Only thing is you won’t the recognition you deserve. Reddit will help you expand on your content to only make your future work better. Plus, by taking advantage of Reddit you will be able to have people realize they saw the content first before people on Twitter and Facebook.

Another great thing is that if your content covers multiple areas you can greatly expand your views or sharing by taking advantage of those numerous subreddits. By doing so you will expand on the eyes that see your content and the amount of them that will copy that link and share it on the other social networking sites.

Now this isn’t a typical publishing or distribution idea, but if you are going from an all-digital standpoint then this is something you need to consider. Even if you aren’t and are looking for a way to help spread the word about your work. Sharing exclusive content or holding an Ask Me Anything you will connect with demographics you might have never been on their radar. Yeah that is more of a marketing tool, but in the long run certain areas between that and distribution combine into the same idea.  

Digital Distribution

With the rise of digital distribution certain questions begin to come to mind. Because the media is stored on a hard drive and no longer on physical media should the price reflect that? Since the media is stored digitally does the inclusion of Digital Rights Management (DRM) take away from the customers experience?

Honestly, these are all questions I have heard since digital distribution has gained more and more momentum. This is mostly because more and more companies are pushing for digital distribution. Only problem is most people have limited storage space available on their devices and moving towards digital distribution will be a problem.

First, let me get to the question of price. Currently, Xbox and Playstation customers are paying full price, $59.99, for digital copies of retail games. This has raised some eyebrows because with the lose of physically producing the disk, manual and box the cost of the game itself should be cheaper. Let alone the fact that you are using up your storage space to house the game instead of being able to change disks freely. Another factor to look at is that these systems only offer a specific amount storage and after time space is limited. Which means you will either be deleting a game or having to spend an unfair amount on additional storage.

That brings me to the second question about DRM. Digital Rights Management is another term for a license that allows you to run the game on your system. It prevents users from installing the same game on other machines due to the CD key having already been used. Most publishers believe that DRM will protect their games from being pirated and force people to actually purchase the game. However, if you look closely the horror stories that surround DRM and it saying that the CD key for the game someone just bought has been used. Going through customer support is even worse because most of the time they will deny customers new CD keys because they don’t believe they actually bought the game even with proof.

One should also note the debate that took place betweenMartin Edmonson of Ubisoft and Gabe Newell of Valve. Both Ubisoft and Valve are two major video game developers and publishers. Ubisoft believes in protecting their content with DRM, while Valve distributes their games digitally through their own service called Steam. Gabe points out that customers aren’t pirating games to get them for free, but instead because of the customers needs.

I actually have to agree with Gabe because with the current state of some video games I feel that I wasted $59.99. Most companies are just pumping out titles to keep revenue streams up and not caring about the content of the game itself. This is why people pirate their games and feel that if I am using my own storage space for a digital copy I should be allowed to spend less. 

Interview: Brian Gottlock IFC tv Legal & Business Affairs at AMC Networks

I decided to talk with IFC TV Legal & Business Affairs attorney Brian Gottlock. Back in 2011 I had the opportunity to work with Brian while I was working at IFC and have been witness to his ability. The reasoning behind my choice of speaking with Brian is because I wanted to gain insight into how a network approaches negotiating and deal making.

Robert: Why did you choose to practice Entertainment Law?

BWG: I've always been passionate about the industry - whether film, TV, theater or music - and knew I wanted to work behind the scenes in some capacity. Since I also knew I'd be going to law school at a relatively young age (I got into a special law program in high school), I found a way to merge my interests. I've been fortunate enough to enjoy a career spanning many facets of the business: music law firm, talent agency, arts and media legal services organization, talent management, boutique entertainment firm, and ultimately in-house counsel at Comedy Central/MTV Networks and IFC/AMC Networks.

Robert: Describe your duties with IFC.

BWG: I am the sole lawyer dedicated exclusively to the channel, so I handle all matters of transactional legal across all departments, from programming and marketing to digital and acquisitions. We recently re-branded from a indie film-heavy network to a Nielsen-rated, ad-supported network with a focus on original comedy series, and the amount of agreements, negotiations and legal advice that go into programming the channel is intense. I draft and negotiate contracts that affect all business groups (with an emphasis on development, production and talent) and am always available to advise on all other IFC-related endeavors like marketing strategies, on-air promo rights and restrictions, licensing, new media initiatives and sponsorships.

Robert: What advice could you offer someone someone who is looking to pitch their material to any network?

BWG: Get a name talent agent or reputable entertainment lawyer. Not only will that open doors at a network versus someone coming in off of the street, you can learn from those representatives on how to best protect your material.

Robert: Can you see directors and writers using their success with online content as a bargaining chip in negations?

BWG: Absolutely. I've done deals with Rhett & Link (who got the series "Commercial Kings" based on their YouTube videos), The Onion, MyDamnChannel, Funny or Die and a host of other predominantly online properties. The success of online content, however, doesn't necessarily translate to TV success. But sophisticated talent with a demonstrable following can leverage that traffic (and those eyeballs) provided it's the "right" audience for the network.

Robert: What measures would you suggest to someone to protect their work and avoiding litigation?

BWG: Copyright copyright copyright. Protection is automatically vested within the creator once an idea is expressed (i.e., put in tangible form) and registration with the government is merely a "belt and suspenders" assurance, but once something is memorialized (whether it be a poem, a song, a script, a book, etc.) it should be registered - easily through copyright.gov for $35. Also, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) come in handy if material is highly confidential and runs the risk of dilution if exposed. And collaborations with creative partners need to have contracts behind them. Nothing ruins friendships/partnerships like success if there had been no formal agreement preceding it. 

I want to thank Brain for taking the time out of his schedule to answer these questions. Just as we’ve been going over in class copyright is a major factor in protecting your work. Also, as he stated a good talent agent or reputable entertainment lawyer can open more doors for you then someone off the street. Research is key into protecting and expanding your career. 

The Cost of Protecting Yourself and Your Ideas

These days it's harder and trickier to get your original content out there. No matter who you are someone is always looking to take advantage or exploit you and your material. From web videos to movies someone out there might have already thought of some aspect of your idea and feels they are entitled to something for that.

For me this can be tough because I know that I love running my ideas by people to gauge their reactions. This can make things tough because if they offer one piece of advice and I use it in someway they have a claim to my idea. Take Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman who recently settled a lawsuit with a former collaborator. Michael "Tony" Moore states that he grew up with Kirkman and worked on The Walking Dead and other projects. Moore goes on to state that he was "duped" by Kirkman and his agent to sign control of The Walking Dead over to Kirkman. The deal would grant Moore 60 percent of "comic publishing net proceeds," 20 percent of "motion picture net proceeds" and future finical interest other projects.

Even though both parties allegedly had a deal this is a prime example of how people can become greedy and risk the future of your work. This is why you need to make sure everything you agree to is in writing, especially when it comes to someone either offering their input or running an idea across. Or just make sure you don't talk about it over email, text or aim so there’s no written record of it (kidding).

Another problem these days is the Internet. In recent years more people have taken to the Internet to either post their short stories for feedback or as a means of just getting their material out there. They hope that someone somewhere will see it and that will lead them to a manager or publishing deal. By doing so they are making their material readily available for someone to pick it apart and use it for their own idea.

The recent Santa Pawslawsuit against Disney is an example of how you need to protect your material and be careful whom you give it to.  Ray Harter, Richard Kearney and Ed Corno are suing Disney because they feel that the movies Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws and The Search for Santa Paws are unauthorized copies of their short story and script, Santa Paws: The Story of Santa's Dog. The plaintiffs claimed they conceived of their Santa Paws in 1991. They also filed suit against former William Morris agents John Ferriterand Barry Jeffery allegedly shopped the project around to studios. U.S. district court judge Catherine Perry made judgment in favor of Disney, ruling that the short story Santa Paws is not substantially similar to Disney's Santa Paws.

The Santa Paws case kind of leads into my next point and that is about remaking content that has already been made. One of the things on my list that I want to accomplish is that I want to be able to create a true Resident Evil movie and not the films Paul W.S. Anderson has made. However, in order to do this I would either have to write my script on my own and then hope that Capcom and Sony Pictures like it or go about the way Mortal Kombat: Legacy was created and write and shot a short video and hope it get’s Capcom and Sony’s attention.

Of course, if I go about the Mortal Kombat: Legacy way then I have to worry about Capcom and Sony suing me for infringing on their copyrighted material. These days with more and more remakes and reimagining’s being made it can be hard to know who truly owns the rights to the project and everything associated with it. Kings Road Entertainment is currently suing their former head of production SvenEbeling over the rights to All of Me. Seems like Ebeling and West Coast Productions were working on a remake of All of Me with Dreamworks, but things fell through. Ebeling was fired, but not before he alleged gave the rights of All of Me to WCP.

So should I try to get my idea for a Resident Evil movie made, I will need to make sure I go about it the right way or I will be owing Capcom and Sony quite a bit of money.

Just by reading this it seems like the entertainment business isn’t as fun and glamorous as most people think. It is a business were you need to protect yourself and everything you create because the second someone else gets a hold of your idea it’s gone. Then you’ll be sitting there watching other people succeed on that one thing that could have launched your career. That is why research is so important to everything you do and also trusting the right people to handle your work because if they slip out you are out of an idea.

How I Got My First Taste of being an Artist Manager

Some people think that being an artist manager is a piece of cake. Their friend gets famous and they just ride their coat tails into fame and fortune. However, they get into the situation where they don’t want easy money to go away so instead of helping mold their friend’s career they become Yes people.

Growing up I’ve always had friends who wanted to either be in a famous band or become the next big actor. I would become friends with them because they were my way to get my ideas to the right people. As they would work on their craft I would always try to only give positive notes. I didn’t want my express lane to NYC or Hollywood to close due to negative feedback.

However, as the years passed I started to realize that I wasn’t going to get far by only feeding them positive feedback on stuff I thought was terrible. So I started to slowly truly express my thoughts and feedback to them.

It’s funny how people react when you tell them that the direction they are taking will only lead to them going no where. Examples of this are when I told my friend’s band that their new songs about pot would never make it past any A&R executive. This is coming after they won a major battle of the bands competition and performed at one of the huge yearly festivals on the East Coast. What happened two years later? They broke up because the band hit a wall and couldn’t find that spark to carry them to the next level. Many people in my town were surprised about it, but I knew it was coming because of the direction they took.

Most recently I had a friend who released her first single and music video. This is a girl who I have respected as an artist since I first met her. When I finally sat down to watch her music video I couldn’t even make it half way through. It was one of the worst things anyone could have recorded and released to start their career. I told her what I thought of it and that next time she faces decisions like this I am always available to help her.

As much as it stinks to have to be the one who puts a damper on someone dream, most of the time it’s for the better. Just like with Creedence Clearwater Revival people will jump at the second someone offers them a chance at their dream without knowing what they are getting themselves into. Having that outside party to help you out can never be a bad thing especially when it comes to your dreams. 

Is Eric From Entourage A Perfect Example of How to Become an Artist Manager?

The show Entourage gives an interesting look at the life of an artist manager from friend to professional. Now I know this is something you might read and wonder how I came to write this so let me explain.

When we are first introduced to the character of Eric (E) he has been Vince’s best friend since childhood. They grew up together and when Vince got his big break Eric unofficially because his manager. As the show continued throughout the seasons we witness Eric’s growth through his career choice. We also get to see how even being the artists best friend doesn’t mean you share the same career goals.

Through the first few seasons Eric is basically a bonafied Yes man. His job is to agree with whatever Vince’s agent says because he knows what’s best for Vince. This right here is a prime example of how managing either your best friends or a total strangers career can be a challenge. You have to prove to the artist and any other person involved in their career that you know what you are talking about and doing. This can be going out of your way to find the perfect project for them or making sure they are keeping their life in order.

As the seasons progressed so did Eric’s ambition and career goals. He started asking for advice from people he saw as mentors and taking a risk in opening his own management business. These were ricks that Eric needed to take in order to prove not only to himself that he can make it in this business. However, one of the biggest things Eric could have done was no longer be Vince’s Yes man. He would truly give his advice on projects because he didn’t just want to sit back and collect his commission.

Finally, Eric would prove that he has what it takes to take over one of the biggest management firms in Hollywood. Of course, you can say that this only happened because it was a TV show, but in reality it shows what hard work and having the “it” factor for finding projects can lead you. It shows that you need to have that personally connection to the artist and be willing to say no to them. Not everything they say or want to do is right and best for their career. They need to know that no one artist is the same and sometimes you need to forge your own path.

I think one of the main reasons I choose to write about is because when I first started watching Entourage I showed me what I wanted to do with my life. My friend was going to be Vince and I was going to be his Eric. Only thing is that my friend knew I wasn’t a yes man and would tell him if something was wrong or not fit for him. Another reason is because if you look at a lot of artist these days their family and friends play major roles. Brittney Spears and Kanye West are two major examples of how sometimes family and friends are the best management.

Now I’m not saying everyone should look at Entourage as a way to learn and understand the entertainment business. The show gives you an inside look, but it truly doesn’t show you the blood, sweat and tears that go into managing an artist. Yes, you might get to enjoy yourself here and there, but it isn’t always fun. You are on the job 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Most of your time will be spent on the phone depending how big your artist is. Oh and let’s not forget the late nights and ever changing schedule.

Those are things that I learned first had watching agents and managers work. Being constantly on the clock isn’t something most people can handle so along with the knowledge you also have to be ready to commit to yourself and the artist. Their life becomes your life.