Screen Australia contributes to $400,000 YouTube content fund
Screen Australia and YouTube are to give $400,000 to help the channel’s most popular local content makers develop their work.
The funds, along with production resources will be available to those have an as yet undisclosed minimum number of subscribers and create original content.
A growing number of local YouTube contributors are making a significant income fro their work, based on YouTube’s owner Google sharing a slice of the advertising which appears with their videos. A handful are reportedly bringing in six figure sums.
In a statement launching the Skip Ahead initiative, Screen Australia’s chief operating officer Fiona Cameron said: ““Australian YouTube channels, such as communitychannel, Janoskians, and mychonny, are incredibly popular with global audiences. The breadth of talent on these channels is indicative of Australia’s creative force.
“Screen Australia and YouTube aim to provide this talent pool with the resources to develop episodic storylines,” she said.
According to the announcement: “Additionally, selected artists will receive access to production resources and a trip to work at the YouTube Space in Los Angeles in 2014.
“Australian artists who have built a following on YouTube, with a minimum subscriber base, and are consistently creating new original content will be eligible to apply.
Further details will be made available in ten days time.
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Is this an edited press release??
“Skip Ahead is open to Australian artists who have built a following on YouTube with a minimum subscriber base, probably around 100,000, and are consistently creating original content. Funding guidelines will be available on Screen Australia’s website from November 11.”
ie, this fund is for creators who’ve already monetized their YouTube channels.
Slow clap Screen Australia…
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Hi Wow,
I think you’re quoting from the story in Inside Film. The 100,000 number was not included in the announcement, so I don’t know their source on that.
But yes, I do get the sense that the help would appear to be aimed at those who have already broken through. At which point it will of course be starting to monetise for them.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
Yup, got that figure from IF.
It’s funny they wish to support the likes of communitychannel etc, TubeMogul reports she already receives $100k annually from rev share, in addition to spruiking branded content (eg. Lonely Planet). As for The Janoskians, I wonder if Fiona Cameron has actually watched any of their highly maligned crap… amazing
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They like helping the best, most successful operators. It creates powerful barriers to entry. The State doesn’t like competition.
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“Communitychannel, Janoskians and Mychonny” … Is Fiona Cameron listening to herself? There are Australian YouTube creators out there who care about production values and storytelling and aren’t just appealing to teens and the none-too-bright. This fund won’t support any of them – instead propping up people who already make more than enough from their channels, regardless of the artistic merit of their output.
Does Screen Oz just want to encourage more bonehead comedy based on broad stereotypes and tween vloggers with haircuts and nothing to say? Is this what we want to aspire to now? Our funding bodies don’t fund culturally bereft ratings hits like commercial TV reality shows (and rightly so), so why should they fund the online equivalent?
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You are right Charlie. How dare these youtubers make money and be popular. Far better for Screen Australia to continue financing movies that for the vast majority few people see. If you are going to indulge in art, go for it, but use your own money.
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Really, the issue is whether it’s reasonable to use tax payers’ money (which IS your own money, as you put it) to support already financially successful channels. The channels mentioned are popular with a narrow demographic and the content is of dubious quality and repute. Comparing YouTubeThis is about Google using government money to promote content creators so they can serve more ads, not about creating popular content for its own sake, or that of ‘art’.
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@Really. Way to miss the point. The fact is that these content creators are already earning handsome salaries from their monetised accounts with 100,000+ subscribers. And that’s fine. While I’m personally not keen on the named content creators, they have their audience, and that audience already funds their careers through monetised content and sponsorship etc. If Janoskians can make a successful living out of being obnoxious and inane, good luck to them. They don’t need public funding. Cat videos are wildly popular too. Should our funding bodies throw cash at those?
I don’t think anyone’s suggesting we should fund people to “indulge in art” online. Whoever is supported should of course be able to demonstrate that they can reach an audience. It’d just be nice to see this assistance going to people who are making outstanding content, you know, with actual stories, in order to help them break through the noise and grow their viewership. We’re never going to see Netflix-standard online storytelling in Australia while this is the type of online content we’re supporting and aspiring to.
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