We've seen a lot of speculation about how photographic content won't be worth much in the next few years and how it will be displaced by video content. This scenario has a certain amount of plausibility, given the continuing growth of hi-bandwidth and of the ever increasing feasibility of delivering HD quality via the net. But we've been experimenting with short-video production and marketing strategies, and there's a catch: we haven't been able to get around the fact that it's less costly (a LOT less costly) to produce quality still sets than it is to produce decent quality short videos.
Sure, you can set up to shoot the same tired soft fare (a model dances around, a model writhes on a bed, a model has a shower) with no dialog, no real script, minimal editing, just add music. That can be done for maybe twice the cost of a set of photos. But what's it worth? Is it worth twice as much as a photo set? Or does it just increase your cost of doing business?
Does anyone really think a site will sell if it's just these same vids over and over with different talent? That can work with photos because sheer volume makes it likely that customers will find enough stuff they like. Will it work with videos? We think not. But if you go beyound the standard fare you need more scripting, more shots per video, more editing... and everything quickly starts getting expensive, even for 3-6 minute videos.
We're very interested in everyone's comments, input, experience and opinions on this subject. Any insight will be appreciated, and I'll be glad to share what we've learned about cost, production processes and marketing.
- Amy
Sure, you can set up to shoot the same tired soft fare (a model dances around, a model writhes on a bed, a model has a shower) with no dialog, no real script, minimal editing, just add music. That can be done for maybe twice the cost of a set of photos. But what's it worth? Is it worth twice as much as a photo set? Or does it just increase your cost of doing business?
Does anyone really think a site will sell if it's just these same vids over and over with different talent? That can work with photos because sheer volume makes it likely that customers will find enough stuff they like. Will it work with videos? We think not. But if you go beyound the standard fare you need more scripting, more shots per video, more editing... and everything quickly starts getting expensive, even for 3-6 minute videos.
We're very interested in everyone's comments, input, experience and opinions on this subject. Any insight will be appreciated, and I'll be glad to share what we've learned about cost, production processes and marketing.
- Amy