Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

nickp37 · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 94 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA

With the growth of microstock footage/video, I thought an independent forum (like those that cater to the photo community) would serve this community well. So, I'm working on creating one! It's still in very early development, but I have a basic framework in place (on a temporary server) and I'd love to get a few opinions.

A few questions first:

1. Is there such a forum already?
-I haven't found a site devoted to microstock videographers yet.

2. Is there any interest in such a forum?
- I hope so.

3. What would you like to see in a microvideo forum?
- I'm working on an idea for a monthly video contest with rewards like frontpage referral links, among other features.

4. Can anyone help?
- I am neither an expert videographer nor an expert web designer. I'm willing to put in a fair amount of time on this project, but I'm sure I can't do it alone. Any help would be greatly appreciated; from the odd tip or suggestion to a full fledged partner. Let me know if you're interested.

Anyway, please visit: http://piccillophoto.com/microstockvideogroup/index.php

Edit: Now you can use just http://www.microstockvideogroup.com

Feel free to register and post. It's still early, and probably very buggy, but there's only one way to get started, right?

I hope to see you there (and here as well, of course),
-Nick

mikeledray · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:19 am

hey nick
sounds good to me
im trying to figure out how to do this
ill be signing up
thanks mike
im also open to any suggestions and ideas to make these videos work so they sell well

nickp37 · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 94 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA

Thanks Mike, welcome aboard!

fa63yyc · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 812 Location: Calgary, Canada

Nick,

Interesting idea, though I'm not entirely sure how it would differ from what we already have here. Perhaps I can be enlightened.

Francois

nickp37 · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 94 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA

This is a wonderful forum, truly, and I wouldn't seek to replace it, but I do feel that there is a need for a neutral location for discussion.

I probably shouldn't say this, but I am very loyal to SS Footage right now, I can't bring myself to submit to other sites. My group, however, is a place for micro videographers from all sites, as well as those who are still deciding which way to go, to discuss, learn and share insights and ideas. A lofty goal perhaps, but the concept seems to have worked quite well on the photo side.

I also hope to implement features not available here, such as contests and searchable equipment reviews and tutorials.

varius · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:55 am

I'll take a look when I'm back - in about 10 days. :)

fa63yyc · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 812 Location: Calgary, Canada

Nick,

I too am loyal to SS. I haven't bothered nor do I see myself submitting material to any other sites. I like the idea, neutral or otherwise, frankly the staff at SS haven't been too bent outof shape over any subjects we've covered, and we have gotten into the pros/cons of submitting to other sites as a subject matter. I'll take a peek at the your sites just the same.

Varius, Look forward to hearing from you when you return, I'll stay in touch though I'll be in Ottawa in a week myself.

Francois

nickp37 · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 94 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA

Well, I don't want it to be the focus of the site, but you might be able to look at it as an opportunity to lure a few potential exclusives away from another site.

Ok, I really don't want it to devolve into that but think of it as an inter-site community.

barbarella · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 51 Location: canada

Are their any fees you charge or intend to charge for membership?

Barbarella

nickp37 · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 94 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA

barbarella · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 51 Location: canada

Please don't take this the wrong way, but what's in this for you?

Barbarella

nickp37 · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 94 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA

Thats a fair question.

Financially, there probably isn't much incentive. If I can make the site self-sustaining through generated referrals (which I am sharing with other members) and ads, I'll call it a success. If it grows into something larger, well, I don't expect it to, but that would be great.

I guess, I hope I can say this without sounding too self-righteous, it's my way of giving back to the community. Similar sites got me back into photography at a critical time in my life, so I know that they can be significant. And it really won't be too much effort, or all that much time, I hope, at least once things are up and running. I also hope to recruit a couple of moderators to help out with the day to day maintainance.

Finally, I like the challenge. As I said in an earlier post I don't really know too much about web design. I had one class a while back and am otherwise self-taught. I may be getting over my head, but it's a lot of fun for me.

Anyway, that's why I doing this. Most importantly, I want to create a fun learning community.
-Nick

barbarella · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 51 Location: canada

OK, thanks.

:) Barbarella

jppistu · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 774 Location: Puget Sound region

Sounds interesting, I signed up and also posted links to it on the Revver forums and on the My Vids Rock! forums to let more videographers know about it. I'll try to take a closer look this evening...

pixelgirl · Joined: 22 Nov 2006 Posts: 24

I like the idea Nick! I just signed up and posted my first post over there! I hope this works out well.