Filmmaker's Dream Blog

When it comes to self-distributing your films online many filmmakers turn to YouTube or Vimeo to post their films. Both video hosting sites are great to use, but have different attributes. We will cover the pros and cons of both websites to market and your distribute your films better.
YouTube
YouTube was created by 3 former employees from Paypal in 2005. YouTube has truly changed so much media by allowing for anyone to upload and broadcast any videos or themselves on the internet. Only a year later, Google purchased the website for $1.6 billion dollars. Later in 2008, YouTube signed an agreement contract with MGM, CBS, and Lionsgate, to build competition with the website Hulu which broadcasts TV shows online. Now that you know some history on YouTube let's review the pros and cons.

• Pros
• Formats to upload: .AV .MKV, .MOV, .MP4, DivX, .FLV, and .ogg and .ogv.
• Upload time: 15 minutes. ( the video is measured by the time not the space which is great, because you may be able to upload a better quality video, but shorter.
• 3D and HD videos are enabled. Users can upload 3D videos!
• Receives over 4 billion views per DAY! (Limer, 2012)
• More people use YouTube, so it is easier to direct people to your films on YouTube.
• Revenue! - You have the possibility of receiving money for your work.
• Cons
• Not an artsy exclusive website. YouTube is more of free range for ANY type of video to be broadcasted on the internet.
• Harder to stand out, amongst the viral videos.

Vimeo
Vimeo was created in November 2004 by Jake Lodwick. Interactive Corp purchased Vimeo in August 2006. The word 'Vimeo' comes from rearranging the word 'movie' but putting it in an order so the word 'me' is also used. Vimeo is strictly a community for indie filmmakers to share their work and films amongst each other. Now that you know some history on Vimeo, let's review the pros and cons.

• Pros
• Extra storage! Vimeo allows you to post a minimum of 500MB a week, but if you upgrade to Vimeo Plus for $60 a year, 5GB a week is the limit you can post. 
• Network.. When you use Vimeo you're amongst all other filmmakers and sharing your work, becoming inspired, and collaborating with others now becomes easier. (Staff TIME, 2010)
• Better Quality.. Vimeo strongly supports HD footage, which if you have the basic package, you're able to upload 1 HD video a week.
• Groups- Vimeo offers different groups and allows you to create your own groups, which helps inspiration and networking.
• Cons
• Less traffic.... Vimeo ranks as #116 on the Alexa ranking site, whereas YouTube ranks as #3.
• No Revenue...Google owns YouTube as well as Adsense so gaining revenue for YouTube videos became an option, but Vimeo has yet to receive that option.
• Less awareness.. Not as many regular viewers that aren't indie filmmakers have heard of Vimeo, so be sure to give them the correct link to your work.

It's a tough decision to choose between both video hosting sites, but it depends on your objective as a filmmaker. If you're looking to build and develop as a filmmaker, the go to website is Vimeo, but if you're looking to gain recognition and get your film seen by anyone, YouTube is the sure option. My recommendation  is to choose both!! Neither website owns exclusivity rights to your work, so you have the option to go with both sites to get the best of both worlds.
*FilmFestival Awareness*- YouTube will be holding a huge film fesitval called, 'YourFilmFestival' as part of the Venice Film festival in Italy. Of course, the film I produced, 'Luv.Net' was entered and the 50 semi-finalists will be announced on June 12 @ 4pm. The audience will get the chance to vote on the top 10 finalists which get to go to Italy all expenses paid!! Stay tuned for further details.

References:
Limer, E. (2012, January 23). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.geekosystem.com/youtube-4-billion-pageviews/
Staff, T. (2010, August 25). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2012721_2012728_2012746,00.html