10 Actions to Improve the IAWTV from Web to Watch
As IAWTV members, content creators and contributors to the web series community, we can do better. We can improve our organization to increase benefits for our members and create more recognition for our medium around the world.
So, here are 10 ideas that may not be revolutionary but they are things that we can do to improve the IAWTV right now.
1. Create local branches or chapters of the IAWTV around the world with a local member to run it. Each local group should have representation on the IAWTV Board. Branching out of the NY/LA bubble is important.
2. Create a “Content Calendar” on the IAWTV website where members can post when and where their series are airing. Also, the current calendar for events should be regularly updated and include all new media events (even ones that do not involve the IAWTV). Emails have gone out about meetings that are not currently included on the site’s calendar.
3. Create an equipment share/swap program amongst members who want to opt in. As someone who has loaned equipment to multiple other projects for free, I would be happy to spearhead this program. If we are not using our tools why not help each other out for kindness and/or for credit.
4. All IAWTV meetings should be LIVE STREAMING! With an online or twitter (#IAWTVmeeting) chat so that members everywhere can participate and communicate with each other.
5. Create an IAWTV screening series where members can show their work. These screenings can be locally organized by members around the world. And they must be open to the public.
6. Create an Outreach and Education Committee. Web Series are still relatively new to the general population and we should be educating them and making them aware of our medium. Get people beyond our community excited about Web Series. This is paramount to the success of our industry.
7. Create an IAWTV job board and recommendation board where members can post cast & crew calls and others can recommend people they’ve worked with. As I have learned on Twitter, members give great recommendations on everything from cast to crew to crafty to composers.
8. Create strategic partnerships with indie friendly equipment vendors, prop houses, theaters and other businesses to benefit the membership with discounts. Having done this for film festivals, I would start making calls right away if given permission by the Board. I am sure there are others with relationships that would do the same.
9. Create IAWTV content. We are in the web video business and yet there is no video content on the IAWTV website. It would be great to have monthly videos on topics ranging from crowd funding to acting in web series to producing web series and even a “what is a web series?” video. Members can share their experiences and educate those wanting to get into our medium and beyond. These videos should be available to the public and hosted on at least blip and YouTube. They should have ads so we could generate revenue to offset the production cost.
10. Go after IMDB. For years IMDB has claimed they would create a web series category. Last time was March of last year. As an organization we should be pushing them to do this faster. And when they do, they should allow web content creators to change their listings from TV Series, TV Movie, Short, or Video to Web Series. Being included for what we actually do on a site like IMDB is important for the profile of our medium.
Above are some of my ideas. They are specific actions rather than broad concepts so we can accomplish them. I really hope they encourage other members to share their ideas openly. I love web series and I want to do what I can for our community. I know a lot of us feel that way.
There are more members out there like me, who if they were better communicated with or felt like they had the power to get the ball rolling on things within the organization, they would. We are a growing organization and we can build our foundation faster with members who are excited and passionate about the IAWTV.
Lastly, before I wrap this post up, I want to thank James (tyghtrope) and Mark Gardner for inspiring me to put this out there. They kick ass.
Thanks for reading.
Tai
