John De Mol (creator of great, original, mindblowing* tv-formats like Big Brother) launched a new website where people like you and me can post ideas for a reality show. John believes that ‘there are some ideas out there and we can make them happen’…

I guess we know who ran OUT of ideas, don’t we John?

Visit http://www.talpacreative.com/, the Online Community for Non-Scripted TV Series Development, for more info.

(*)

Interesting case about User Generated Content in Holland.

Dutch rapper Typhoon opened a YouTube channel where youngsters can send in a reaction on a video about their generation. In this video, people where asked what they think about ‘the youth’; lazy, crazy, alcoholics, … and so on!

Watch the video:

Now Typhoon offers ‘the youth’ a chance to respond on this ‘insulting’ video. They can post a youtube video where they can agree, or disagree with the reputation of their generation. Typhoon will create a new music video with the best (most original) responses.

Why this UGC thing can work:

• The original video is very one-sided. The people in it are extremely negative about the youth. This makes it easier to respond.
• Typhoon is an icon for youngsters, so they feel adressed.
• YouTube is a medium for young people. It’s very easy for them to create a video and post it.
• In the end; your video can appear in a real music video and can be aired on MTV. This is the prize you can win when you upload your video!

Some reactions:

More at the Weerwoord YouTube channel

In the newspaper today:

An American tourist was on a safari in Kruger Park, South Africa, where he filmed a fight between a bunch of buffalo’s, a group of lions and a crocodile. This cruel fight was an instant hit on YouTube (over 30 million hits) and now National Geographic Channel made a 60 minute documentary about this particular fight called ‘Caught on Safari, Battle at Kruger’.

I saw this video months ago. It was made 4 years(!) ago. Turning this youtube-movie into a documentary is a smart move by NGC. They say it’s “the most amazing footage of wild animals, ever…” (and it’s probably cheap), but I’m curious how NGC will make a 8 minute movie into a 60 minute documentary. They will probably show the images over and over again, perhaps in slow motion, and add some drama to it.

Watch the original video here

No more TV for me. I’d rather watch online! Today I was browsing YouTube and found the Lonely Planet Youtube channel. They publish all kind of short movies about different cities in different countries.

I must admit… I almost watched them all. They are really ‘down to earth’ and it looks like homemade holiday videos.

This is a perfect example of GREAT branded content!
Here are some examples:

More at: http://nl.youtube.com/user/LonelyPlanet
Your video on Lonely Planet: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/youtube/

What happens when you put two little brothers in front of the camera? Yes, indeed; you’ll get 9 million hits (9,240,800) !!! And then the video starts its own life!

The Video:

The UGC:

Way to go, Charlie, but I’m affraid your 15 million clicks of fame will be over in a week!

Merci, bnox (via Twitter)

A 26-year old man from Marocco who created a Facebook profile where he pretents to be the younger brother of King Mohammed VI of Marocco is now sent to jail for 3 years and has to pay over a 1000 Euros.

Carefull what who you are on the net, I say.

Link: HLN (Dutch), Truemors (English)

What happens when people, dressed all black (Ninjas or commandos), edit your billboards in the middle of the night? Well, you’ll get unwanted UGC. That sucks, because people will remember it… even better than the original message!

Although… sometimes it’s great fun:

• http://hangar99.blog.com/2746262

CNN and Citizen Journalism became friends in August 2006. The iReport initiative gathers nearly 100,000 news-related photos and videos from viewers, but only less than 10% actually appears on CNN.com on the TV channel.

But this is all about to change… Read more on mediaweek.com

My question: VTM, where you at now, huh? With you 4040 service…