Ctzn.tv

[NewsMan]

CTZN.TV is currently working on its prototype website. They asked to use my stuff for content, which is no problem for me. Basically, they took a two-hour documentary and have been breaking it up into five minute segments. You can see the most current one here: http://ctzn.tv/view/afghanistan-afghan-army-infantry-training/35SQHIBP

I know... VJ this and Rosenblum that. Regardless, check it out if interested.

DT

[Lensmith]

I'd be interested but...did you give it to them for free?

[NewsMan]

For the prototype... yes. From what I understand, they are working on the financial stuff, looking for partners, etc... The plan is to compensate for submissions.

It works well for me... The work of mine they use is in the can. All I needed to do was send in a DVD. They do the rest. So at this point, in the prototype stage, all is well. I'll keep y'all posted.

DT

[Nino]

CTZN.TV is currently working on its prototype website. They asked to use my stuff for content, which is no problem for me. Basically, they took a two-hour documentary and have been breaking it up into five minute segments. You can see the most current one here: http://ctzn.tv/view/afghanistan-afghan-army-infantry-training/35SQHIBP

I know... VJ this and Rosenblum that. Regardless, check it out if interested.

DT

WHAT!!!!! A year ago when he started Citizen Video Rosenblum was bragging that he had all kind of investors that put money into the site. According to him the site was supposed to be the Ebay of user’s generated contents. Buyer would go there and bit for videos, and now he is looking for partners promising to pay for videos?

What a fraud this guy is. We had a conversation on his blog a month ago on the same subject, (http://rosenblumtv.wordpress.com/2008/02/22/on-the-cutting-edge/)

and this is what Rosenblum said back then:

rosenblumtv // February 25, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Dear einstein, (referring to me)
The site is free! (Citizen Video)
We don’t sell videos.
We BUY them!
Maybe I should start you with My Weekly Reader instead, huh? (typical of MR puberty patronizing remarks)

When I asked how many video they bought and how much they pay for each video Rosenblum in his now famous trademark when he doesn't have an answer, he went silent. Now the truth comes out, they never paid for videos, this guy flat out lies on his own blog.

He said in writing that he is paying, get your money.

[Michaelrosenblum]

Dear Nino
I know that you are one of my biggest fans, and that you follow all my business ventures as though you were an investor (if only!!!)

I thought you might be interested in an article in today's Wall Street Journal (of all places) about another of my little ventures:

Enjoy

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120598375751051107.html

[cameradog]

I'd be interested but...did you give it to them for free?

Why not? Nobody else would buy it.

[Nino]

Dear Nino
I know that you are one of my biggest fans, and that you follow all my business ventures as though you were an investor (if only!!!)

Thanks but no thanks Michael, I gave at the office, plus I have too much self respect, I only do business with honest people.

While you are rolling your mouth, maybe you can tell us all what all this has to do with the subject in question, or this one is another of the famous Rosenblum diversionary tactics, it's getting old you know. So what about your lies on your own blog? You said that you are paying those who submit videos on your Citizen TV, how about a check for Newsman.

[Michaelrosenblum]

Jeez nino
Are you impuning that I am dishonest?
Its OK. I only do business with people who have money to invest.
best

[Nino]

Jeez nino
Are you impuning that I am dishonest?

If you lie you do, come clean or get labeled. So what about?

[Michaelrosenblum]

so what about?
This is not English.

[TexasDave]

The plan is to compensate for submissions.DT




some clips from cnetnews.com


July 12, 2007 1:49 PM PDT
Michael Rosenblum launches new initiative for citizen journalism

"If you visit ctzn.tv, you won't find anything beyond the company logo. But according to an e-mail I received from Ken Krushel, the president of CitizeNews, ctzn.tv will soon become a portal aggregating "the very best work of the very best video journalists in the world" while providing compensation for its content creators and developing itself as an agency for content distribution networks yet to be announced. Ctzn.tv expects to launch in August."

"Only time will determine if CitizeNews is able to cut out a niche in the crowded field of online video. If video producers are able to sustain themselves by working with the company then they will likely rise to the top of the pack since these promises of financial rewards are rarely able to deliver."

"For the time being, the company is solely looking to build up its video database and can't offer money to its participants."

[Chicago Dog]

so what about?
This is not English.

Wow, make fun of a guy whose first language is not english. That's very classy, Mikey. I hate to break it to you, but Nino's writing skills exceed yours. How many times have I suggested you take advantage of your NYU employment and the discount you'd probably receive for enrolling in some basic grammar classes?

Speaking of being dishonest, Mr. Messiah: why'd you incorrectly claim I'm anti-semitic? You apparently have proof. I've been asking you for a long time now.

I'm expecting more smoke and mirrors, as always, but figured I'd just throw that out there.

I must say, though: I'm amazed. It's been a while since I've seen you label anyone who disagrees with you a communist anti-semite.

[Aussie Shooter]

Wow. The REAL workers being ripped off. Who'd have thought THAT would ever happen?

:-)

[NewsMan]

Why not? Nobody else would buy it.

Hence the reason I spend so little time here anymore. Ranks are filled with smart-asses and know-it-alls. In fact, smart guy... my first 200 run of DVDs have sold out.

[NewsMan]

some clips from cnetnews.com


July 12, 2007 1:49 PM PDT
Michael Rosenblum launches new initiative for citizen journalism

"If you visit ctzn.tv, you won't find anything beyond the company logo. But according to an e-mail I received from Ken Krushel, the president of CitizeNews, ctzn.tv will soon become a portal aggregating "the very best work of the very best video journalists in the world" while providing compensation for its content creators and developing itself as an agency for content distribution networks yet to be announced. Ctzn.tv expects to launch in August."

"Only time will determine if CitizeNews is able to cut out a niche in the crowded field of online video. If video producers are able to sustain themselves by working with the company then they will likely rise to the top of the pack since these promises of financial rewards are rarely able to deliver."

"For the time being, the company is solely looking to build up its video database and can't offer money to its participants."

As I said... if and when the site gets partnered up, I expect to be paid for submissions. No one lied to me. It was all up front and I chose to participate in hopes the idea will launch.

[Nino]

so what about?
This is not English.
So this what the problem has been for the last five years and all the questions that I asked about the economic of your VJs, you did not comprehend the questions. That makes more sense that the answers you gave or those you didn't give.

[Nino]

Hence the reason I spend so little time here anymore. Ranks are filled with smart-asses and know-it-alls. In fact, smart guy... my first 200 run of DVDs have sold out.

One of these days this smart-ass and know-it-all will have to teach you guys how to turn this business into a business and how make a living out of your work because until you get a day of pay for a day of work your are nothing more than an amateur with big dreams, this is a business not a charity, especially not for somebody like Rosenblum, he is using you and like you did years ago you are still hoping to get some work out of him. I told you in the past man, have some pride, when you give your work away for nothing that's exactly what's worth, nothing. Rosenblum is using your work to make himself look pretty with investors and that's okay with you? How sad. MR quoted on his blog that he is paying for videos, meaning that he is paying for videos, he did not say he "will" pay for videos. What are you, second class citizen and you have to wait for investors while others get paid? Wake up and stop being a sucker.

9000 VJs that MR claims to have trained trained and he can't get enough decent work from them for his site? Again, how sad.

[Baltimore Shooter]

I told you in the past man, have some pride, when you give your work away for nothing that's exactly what's worth, nothing...Wake up and stop being a sucker..
That's the same thing I've been saying in the "The HD Price Point" and the "New Rates?" threads in the Freelance section. But Nino says it more eloquent than I.

Warren

[Nino]

That's the same thing I've been saying in the "The HD Price Point" and the "New Rates?" threads in the Freelance section. But Nino says it more eloquent than I.

Warren

Please Warren, don’t mix the two because now I’m the one getting offended. The basic dictionary definition of a professional is: “One who earns a living in a given or implied occupation.” The moment that one gets paid to perform a service based on a trained specialty he is indeed a professional, the key word here is getting paid. Good or bad, hi or low rates doesn’t make any difference, somebody out there are ready to pay you for your services, how much is up to your level of skills. The moment that you perform you work for nothing or give your work away for free means that nobody is willing to pay for your services and you fall off the ranks of professionals. If you work on speculation then you are an entrepreneur, you are basically opening a store and hope that what you have is good enough to attract people inside, you can only give away limited free samples before you go out of business, once you give away too many freebees people will expect it and will not want to buy them, why should they if its free. It a matter of simple and basic economic.

Rosenblum is smart, is seeking out and exploiting these people that can not sale their work by promising dreams that will never come true. He asks for free stuff but he doesn’t give any away, actually they will pay him very well so they can acquired the knowledge needed to create work so they can give back to him for free. This is absurd and these suckers are going for it. Rosenblum doesn’t want them to get better, if this would ever happen and these people start getting hired to perform their services, MR would lose his main source of supply, this would put him out of business, ignorance is his main tool.

The controversy here is that these guys (VJ,TJ or whatever J) have different needs and requirement that we “professionals” have. Our services have to be marketable, our concerns are clients first. We constantly modify and expand our skills to accommodate a variety of client’s needs as well as a variety of clients. We never know what the client will need next; our skills must be ready for everything. On top of all the technical skills that we are required to have, we must also be constantly creative and innovative, we must keep giving our clients something new and different with each assignment or we might lose that client. After we are done with all this we must put our businessmen cap on, we must never forget that we are running a business, we have to be concern with expenses, hiring other freelancers and make sure they perform to our clients needs and keep a constant eye on the bottom line to make sure that the ink stays black. We have to constantly keep an open eye and mind to new technology and make sure that financially we are ready when new investments become a necessity. They on the other hands are working within the limitations of their skills; they are producing work only within a framework of their limited knowledge and skills. They can never be employable, they will never be capable to take assignments unless those assignments are within that framework, and there’s no such need in the professional realm of this business. To survive today you have to be diversified, to succeed you must be the best of what you do, or at least set your goals and your training to achieve that goal.
Do you want to see something sad? Read the career goal that one of Rosenblum follower posted of RosenblumTV blog. These are the people that feed Rosenblum fortune.

From Michael Rosenblum Blog
“The people I interact with practice “Living Simply So Others May Simply Live” - myself included. That few hundred dollars you referred to becomes alot more in value due to a philosophical perspective of what is important. If you have a grandiose house, huge credit card debt, lots of gear, huge overhead, etc, then yes, it could appear being paid a few hundred dollars for your video work as not being much. Instead, I believe if you practice the less is more perspective, the agile nimbleness of the Solo VJ paradigm, using less to create more, including not complicating your life with excess material possessions, racking up huge personal/business debt, etc - then it becomes a worthwhile endeavor to make a living as a Solo Video Journalist.

[NewsMan]

One of these days this smart-ass and know-it-all will have to teach you guys how to turn this business into a business and how make a living out of your work because until you get a day of pay for a day of work your are nothing more than an amateur with big dreams.

Actually... the video in question earned me about 60%, in royalties, of what my daytime photog salary was in 2007. By the end of the year, it should be 100% or more. So I do ok.

[TexasDave]

I think the issue here is giving video for no pay. That's great that you already have made money off your video. How did you accomplish that? Was that a direct result of ctzn.tv? Or did you shoot it for a client? Or did you market it yourself?

The resentment you face on this site isn't because you did it OMB (am I correct here?), but the fact that you gave your work away. Look at craigslist. You'll see many jobs that promise payment down the road, once investors are in place. If our profession relied on these promises, we wouldn't be able to pay our bills.

I am curious how you profited off your work. That's great. We all want to be paid for what we do. But are you making money off MR's site? Or did you do something prior to that?

[NewsMan]

My primary mission is stock footage. I shoot for Getty Images. From these experiences, I make "chronicles in history", if you will. As Nino states, that portion of my career is "a dream". While I do want to eventually be paid for everything I do, it isn't the case right now.

I might add, I made it clear with CTZN that if money is being made, I expect to be a part of it. At this point, my understanding is no money is being made and no one is being paid. If that is not the case, I would be offended and most likely pull my video.

I look at CTZN as an avenue for more people to see my work, with the hopes of one day being approached by the right person who shares my vision. As it stands right now... I enjoy my life... so anything extra, like CTZN, is gravy. If it works, GREAT! IF not, no skin off my ass.

[jim sitton]

Has anyone made any money from Ctzn.tv?

[JTFC]

At this point, my understanding is no money is being made and no one is being paid.

You realize that with some creative accounting, this will be the fact for the next ten years.

[Chicago Dog]

Has anyone made any money from Ctzn.tv?

Jim: that is, of course, this is the million dollar question. Don't expect a straightforward answer.

You realize that with some creative accounting, this will be the fact for the next ten years.

I cannot possibly fathom why -- after all the lies, smoke and mirrors, and incredible exploitation of ignorance Rosenblum often practices -- anyone would actually expect "honest" business out of him.

David: I've seen what you've done, and it's very interesting stuff. Unfortunately, giving Rosenblum your video means Rosenblum's going to sell it to prospective "students" for his "boot camps." You've provided him with a vehicle to sell his product. He didn't train you, but that's exactly the impression he's going to give suckers who will pay him $2,500 after seeing your work -- not his.

He doesn't say, "I've trained David." He says, "Pay me, and I'll teach you how to shoot like David." He does it. I've seen it. He's a snake and, like Nino appropriately points out, willingly exploits ignorance for the Almighty Dollar.

I understand perfectly well what your intentions were, but you're not going to see any money. How could you not have known better?

I look at CTZN as an avenue for more people to see my work, with the hopes of one day being approached by the right person who shares my vision. As it stands right now... I enjoy my life... so anything extra, like CTZN, is gravy. If it works, GREAT! IF not, no skin off my ass.

So, you're perfectly willing to let someone else (i.e., Rosenblum) make money off your work without giving you a dime?

In that case, can I have some of your footage? I can't pay you, but it'll look nice on my website.

[NewsMan]

So, you're perfectly willing to let someone else (i.e., Rosenblum) make money off your work without giving you a dime?



Again... I am told that at this time, no one is making money from this site. IF money is being made, I will be wanting my fair share.

[Chicago Dog]

Again... I am told that at this time, no one is making money from this site.

You're dealing with Rosenblum. I don't know how much more clear I can be about this: he's using your video to pitch his product. He's doing it right now with the Travel Channel Academy.

IF money is being made, I will be wanting my fair share.

I really hope you signed something -- and had a lawyer review it before doing so.

[Michaelrosenblum]

I am running a Travel Channel Academy right now in Chicago.
I am not using any of the CTZN clips for the course.
You, however, are skating dangerously close to slander, and if you had the courage to identify yourself by name (or have the courage to come over to the Downtown Sheraton and identify yourself) I will be more than happy to test the law.
You will find me on the 4th floor.

[Chicago Dog]

You, however, are skating dangerously close to slander, and if you had the courage to identify yourself by name (or have the courage to come over to the Downtown Sheraton and identify yourself) I will be more than happy to test the law.

Actually, professor, it's "skating dangerously close to libel." Why do I have to correct a supposed professor in the field of journalism?

Speaking of libel, do these three nuggets of your wisdom over at Medialine happen to ring any bells?

Author: Rosenblum
Topic: "blackberry"
February 15th, 2007 10:09 AM
just for your own education (if that is possible) Blackberry is NOT, contrary to what you think, a flavor of SKOL. I still remember your stinking anti semitic comments from b-roll. Author: Rosenblum
Topic: "up yours"
February 17th, 2007 09:59 AM
get back to your trailer park you illiterate anti semite. Author: Rosenblum
Topic: "here"
February 23rd, 2007 05:32 AM
Jew Watch - Zionist Occupied Governments - United Kingdom - Jewish ... He is assisted by hisfriend Michael Rosenblum, who has been described by the ... As with the broadcasting media, the "British" film industryincludes a ...

If you have the courage to finally answer such a simple question, Mr. Messiah, I'd love to hear it: why did you incorrectly and libelously (that is, defamation by written or printed words) accuse me of being anti-semitic?

What a hypocritical coward you are, Michael.

[Latin Lens]

Boys, boys......is there any chance of this calming down?

[Michaelrosenblum]

Downtown Sheraton
630 N. Rush Street
Chicago
I am here until Sunday.

Those comments were PMs, not posted on a public site, as you have posted your accusations. Identify yourself if you believe in what you say so strongly and I am more than happy to take you to court - libel or slander.



Actually, professor, it's "skating dangerously close to libel." Why do I have to correct a supposed professor in the field of journalism?

Speaking of libel, do these three nuggets of your wisdom over at Medialine happen to ring any bells?



If you have the courage to finally answer such a simple question, Mr. Messiah, I'd love to hear it: why did you incorrectly and libelously (that is, defamation by written or printed words) accuse me of being anti-semitic?

What a hypocritical coward you are, Michael.

[Xchroma]

Actually, professor, it's "skating dangerously close to libel." Why do I have to correct a supposed professor in the field of journalism?



LOL! This is hilarious! (but not surprising!) BTW doesn't a libelous statement have to be a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an UNJUSTLY unfavorable impression?

[Hank Scorpio]

I just checked Hotwire and I can get a $150 flight from Minneapolis to Chicago. Hold off on the punches until I get there!!!

I want to shoot this Rush Street Rumble and post it here.

PS Stay out of the Billy Goat Tavern it's incredibly filthy.

[Chicago Dog]

Oooo! Lawyer stuff! Courts! Mikey's angry! I can't understand why! It's not like it's the first time someone's called him a liar. Hell -- he's a proven liar. We've all seen it. I bet Mr. Messiah's lawyers don't come cheap, either.

So, Mikey. Are you saying you've never used someone else's videos or abilities to sell your ideas?

And, now that we've got you finally admitting you incorrectly accused me of being anti-semitic, would you care to "man up" and offer an apology?

You won't, but it's fun to watch you squirm.

Coward.

[Michaelrosenblum]

Dear Chicago Jellyfish
I am hardly squirming.
I am here in Chicago waiting to see you.

PS. Everyone here wants to see your work. As we are in Chicago, please advise where and when we can tune in to see it. Thanks.

[Hank Scorpio]

Dear Chicago Jellyfish


ZING!!!

You really got him there, Rosie!

[eb]

Take this to court. The whole anti-semetic thing....doesn't belong here.

Besides, it's Easter.
Happy Easter.

But perhaps the whole "forgiveness" thing .... won't help this Jewish and Anti-Semite fued?

It's not too late... Easter is tomorrow. Both of you head to sunrise service...and head this whole thing off before spending money on lawyers.

Judge Judy, ...where are you? Judge Whapner? Springer? Jesus? Save us from this.

[Chicago Dog]

Blah, blah, dodge, blah, smoke, blah, blah...

My questions were not confusing. Since you haven't answered either in a straightforward fashion, it's safe to assume the answers:

1. You are not willing to apologize for your incorrect anti-semitic accusation towards me, once again proving to be nothing more than a coward.

2. You use other peoples' hard work and abilities -- which have nothing to do with your "training" -- to promote your own product.

There's nothing libelous about giving you a chance to retort against a supposedly incorrect statement. You were offered a chance to answer, and you didn't. Your dodging, once again, speaks volumes. But, hey: feel free to threaten someone on an internet message board with the courts instead of coming out and just answering a couple relatively straightforward questions.

Coward.

[A Step Above Productions]

WOW!!! Thats all I can say!

[JTFC]

http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1974_eating_popcorn.gif

[eb]

The one thing we learn as news photographers....is to never BECOME the story.

[Nino]

Anyway, getting back to the originals subject. When Michael started CtznTV last August we had extensive conversations on the purpose of having such site. Back then two similar sites, Backfence and A&P just folded and those were well established venues but could not make any money. Michael refused to even address those issues and went on with CtznTV claiming that he had investors and they surely knew more that I did about business, so much for that because apparently those investors were nothing more than another of his fantasies. All he could talk back then was to turn the site into a junior Youtube but with higher end work, although he did not mention directly what the final purpose was about CtznTV, all he could talk was about giants like Google or Yahoo history of buying similar sites for incredible sums; this is what would attract investors interests. Why else would you think that investor would put any money into this venture knowing well than better ones went out of business? Now tell me something, if you were an investor would you put money in CtznTV? And why? What will Michael do with the investor capital? How this influx of money will generate revenue? Did you see the traffic ranking or report on the site? Look it up because there are none. Do you think that investors will just hand over money without having any sale record or any traffic report or ranking? Did you ask if he has a business plan? Did you see it? After all, you like it or not by handing over your work you have become a partner in his operation, your venture participation is Michael’s inventory, he did not buy the video from you, he has promised a share of the pie and that’s a business definition of a partnership.

Michael dare me to put some of my work on that site, do you know what my answer was? "$1450 daily for standard def and $2400 for high def." Needless to say I'm not on that site and you will never see my work on any of these sites, unless I got already paid to do the work. I worked too hard to get where I am, we all did, and handing over your work for nothing so somebody else can make money is plain foolish. By giving your work away for free you are cheapening the profession and ultimately you are shooting yourself in the foot. Michael is opening a store, Citizen TV is a store, is a business venture and getting into a business requires capital, particularly to purchase inventory. However Michael wants to open the store with no money and you are giving him the inventory for free so he can have the opportunity to make money, not by selling your video but by using your hard work to attract investors without even giving you a guarantee of any pay whatsoever, he is not taking any risk, you are. If the site fails do you seriously think that he will take the blame? He has a list of failure a mile long but if you listen to him those were carefully planned and with a purpose. You can be sure that he will blame failures on the type or quality of the work submitted that it did not attract any interest, and you are it my friend.

[A Step Above Productions]

Michael - I would... we would all like to hear your response to Nino.

[Michaelrosenblum]

I am cautious about being dragged into yet another endless and pointless conversation which leads nowhere, but since you ask, I will keep this as simple as possible.

Along with two other partners, we started Ctzn.tv a bit more than a year ago, I think. The idea was to build an online platform for journalists where they might benefit directly from their own work. This is hardly original - many other have tried it. The idea was not to sell the pieces directly, but rather to build a site where the pieces would aggregate - most popular to least popular. Having done that, advertisers would, then in theory, buy ad space (or pre rolls) attached to the most popular pieces, ignoring the least popular ones. We could then aggregate submissions by their popularity, and then reverse aggregate advertising revenue - the best journalists thus gaining the most income, and the least popular journalists aggregating none. A kind of EBay for journalism. Because of the transparency possible and the ability to track users so directly, the journalists could then be paid almost directly by the advertisers, with ctzn taking a percentage fee for the posting.

These things are not easy to get started - it takes some money. A first round of investors told us that no one would invest in just a concept, video on the web was already too far along. That having been said, there was some interest if we could build something to show them. The site you see now is the result of that first build out. This cost real money that the original partners put up. We initially paid for the first pieces even if only a few hundred dollars, but after a few months, that also ran out. As you can see from the site, there are no ads, yet we keep it going in the belief that it is inherently a good concept. I am not sure that this is a viable business, nor am I sure that someone, or anyone will invest in it any further. The web is littered with such valiant efforts. The movement of newspapers and magazines who deal in serious journalism (and you can see from the pieces that this is where we are trying to go) makes me thing that there may be a market for serious work, but only time will tell.

Are the people who post here being 'ripped off'? I don't think so. They keep all rights to all the work that they do. They are offered a showcase (no different than Youtube, except perhaps as a kind of niche youtube) for journalism. In any event, they are all aware of the terms when they post. No one has objected.

The objections, curiously, come from a few angry voices here. I understand why they don't like the VJ concept as it applies to the local stations. I understand that they feel threatened. Or if they don't feel threatened, I cannot understand the constant character assassinations - (let's not get started on this one again).

Nino accuses me of 'using other people's work', in his mind, to raise investor millions. In making these accusations it is clear to me he has never been involved in any kind of venture capital business. If only it were so easy. It is not. And only a tiny percentage of start ups ever become successful, despite years of hard work. And, investors almost never put money into a venture unless the founders have already put a substantial amount up themselves. One thing these people are not, and that is stupid. Nino clearly understands very little, if anything, of the way this world works.

In so far as his contributing work, it is clear that he is not the right person to participate in this either. He is a 'work for hire' guy - not a freelance journalist creating his own vision and trying to find a market for it. He is hired to shoot other people's ideas - which is fine, but not what ctzn was built for.


In any event, that is Ctzn.tv.

Personally, as several potential investors have told us, good idea, too late however, or 'no one is really interested in news'.

I suppose so.

If you would like to see something similar, (and quite well done), you might look at www.mediastorm.org

This is Brian Storm's website. He was ahead of us with pretty much the same concept. I like Brian, and we have talked a lot. I think he got to most of the investor dollars before we did, and did a nice job of it.

I think it is fairly easy for some here to bitch, but at least I am out here trying to do different stuff. I hear a lot of complaining by some, but I don't see a whole lot of work.

Does that answer your question.

[JTFC]

Well said - thanks.

[Nino]

Michael, I know you get a great deal of personal gratification and probably an enormous feeling of power by offending and trying to put others down. If it makes you feel like a big man and help your self esteem go for it man, I don’t mind it, I got thick skin, fire away, anything to make you feel good buddy.

But just keep in minds that this guy that doesn’t know how the world work was the one that last year predicted what the investors reaction would be to your site, and your reply was exactly the same as it is now, that I knew nothing about business, well guess what…..I told you so. If you would had listen to this emigrant with broken English you would had no eggs in your face right now. And guess what else, this guy that doesn’t know anything how web sites work or about the business of web sites, one hour ago just passed the 1000 subscribers to EFPlighting.com, these are actually people that pay very little to learn a lot, rather that pay you a lot to learn very little. And guess what else, no investors, just my experience and knowledge. Not too shabby for somebody who doesn’t know how the world works.

[dw438]

Especially the comments section.
http://www.lostremote.com/2008/03/20/cable-iptv-companies-get-hyperlocal/
A revealing comment or two.

[Chicago Dog]

Especially the comments section.
http://www.lostremote.com/2008/03/20/cable-iptv-companies-get-hyperlocal/
A revealing comment or two.

I'm stunned he's still claiming WKRN, KRON, and KGTV are success stories, just because they're still using OMBs/VJs.

Richard Zednik's doctor didn't hand him a band aid.

WKRN just recently axed their last blogger. KGTV and KRON are not only dropping employees -- both are cutting more and more newscasts out of their daily grind. KRON's up on the block, and Young Broadcasting can't wait to get rid of it. At least they know a mercy killing when they see one.

[AB]

Richard Zednik's doctor didn't hand him a band aid.



Wow! An analogy using an NHL reference.

I'm not alone after all. There are other hockey fans out there!

[Buck]

I'm stunned he's still claiming WKRN, KRON, and KGTV are success stories, .


They are success stories. All of his checks cleared.

[Learning on the go]

Obviously I am jumping in this whole mess a little late, but I just found the thread and read the Wall Street Journal article, and it sounded familiar. I can't happen to come across the article the WSJ wrote about the Hyperlocal project last year, but it seems to be pretty similar. Are you still highlighting stories that were done a year ago?

[Michaelrosenblum]

Here is a link to the Journal article.
http://rosenblumtv.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/verizon-is-1-year-old/
(I think its subscription based, so there's the reprint).

They did an article a year ago when we launched and they also referred to the 'blind mechanic' piece. Probably the reporter just lifted that line again. I have no idea, as I did not write the piece. The VJs all produce original stories every day, and 5 of them have been doing this for a year, so there was plenty to look at.

[shootercub]

have you seen the garbage most vj's are putting out there?

(training turtles to fetch and heel, speed dating, broken jesus statues...)

this isn't revolutionary.. it's teaching wide-eyed yahoo's to shoot the softest features around..

GO HYPER-LOCAL (i.e. hyper-boring)

TV news is here to stay

[Lensmith]

The VJs all produce original stories every day, and 5 of them have been doing this for a year, so there was plenty to look at.

I finally went to the CTZN.TVsite and looked. For five VJs working for a year, every day, the amount of stories in the CTZN.TV archives don't seem to match up. Either that or what they produce is not posted on the site.

I did have one question. I noticed you encourage people to be credentialed by CTZN.TV.

http://ctzn.tv/about/become-credentialed

Why is that? What is the advantage of being credentialed by CTZN.TV? If one is credentialed does that mean getting a paycheck? Or just a T-shirt, hat or i.d. card? ;)

[Hank Scorpio]

I did have one question. I noticed you encourage people to be credentialed by CTZN.TV.

http://ctzn.tv/about/become-credentialed

Why is that? What is the advantage of being credentialed by CTZN.TV? If one is credentialed does that mean getting a paycheck? Or just a T-shirt, hat or i.d. card? ;)


OH SNAP!!!!!!!

[Michaelrosenblum]

You are confusing two projects: verizon's hyperlocal news channel in dc and ctzn.tv. Two separate things.

[Nino]

In view to what looks like Michael’s next in the long list of failures, CtznTV, I felt that it
was appropriate to post what Michael told me about one year ago.

As a respect to Michael, please refrain from laughing hysterically.

rosenblumtv // May 28, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Nino
The cost of gear continues to drop, both for cameras and for editing gear, and will continue to do so, while at the same time the demand for video content continues to skyrocket, particularly as the web goes to video. As that happens, however, there is a fractionalization of the audience and so also the advertising base. More demand, less money per hour. Conventional production methods will not survive.
Had you listened to me then, five years ago, and started your own production company using laptops and small cameras, my guess is you would be doing quite well. You would have gotten in early and would have a nice chunk of the market.
Instead you cling to your high end ‘professional’ niche, which is fine. It is not going away, but it certainly is not going to get any bigger.On the contrary. Many of the people who started with me have gone on to found their own production companies and make very nice livings, and also produce some of the programs you probably watch, without even realizing it.

So Michael can you name some of these people and some of these programs?

Nino clearly understands very little, if anything, of the way this world works. In so far as his contributing work, it is clear that he is not the right person to participate in this either. He is a 'work for hire' guy - not a freelance journalist creating his own vision and trying to find a market for it. He is hired to shoot other people's ideas - which is fine, but not what ctzn was built for.

Michael, one of these days you'll learn what it is that we do for a living, and until then you better hope and pray that this guy that doesn’t know how the world works stays as busy as he is and doesn’t decide to slow down and start teaching television journalism, like hundreds have been asking me to do, because if I do you’ll become history in a heartbeat and the world, particularly to those who have been listening to you will realize how awful and damaging your teaching and you knowledge of marketing this business really is.

[Baltimore Shooter]

MR and others say TV programming will be dead and that everything will move to the internet and cell phones. However Mark Cuban, former owner of broadcast.com which he sold to Yahoo and now owner of HDNet says 'the internet is dead".

From the CTAM Smartbrief:
RIP: The Internet
HDNet founder Mark Cuban said Wednesday that the Internet was dead as an entertainment source and that cable companies had the best potential to offer high-definition and interactive-viewing experiences in the future. "You guys have the future right here, and you just don't know it," Cuban said at a conference staged by CTAM's Texas branch. "The Internet is dead. It's had its time; say goodbye."
---------

Warren

[Stoney]

My primary mission is stock footage. I shoot for Getty Images. From these experiences, I make "chronicles in history", if you will. As Nino states, that portion of my career is "a dream". While I do want to eventually be paid for everything I do, it isn't the case right now.

I might add, I made it clear with CTZN that if money is being made, I expect to be a part of it. At this point, my understanding is no money is being made and no one is being paid. If that is not the case, I would be offended and most likely pull my video.

I look at CTZN as an avenue for more people to see my work, with the hopes of one day being approached by the right person who shares my vision. As it stands right now... I enjoy my life... so anything extra, like CTZN, is gravy. If it works, GREAT! IF not, no skin off my ass.

The problem is that you are providing free material for Rosenblum to make his business venture a reality. He may buy your stuff eventually, he may not, he may just show it as part of a company reel to investors, he may post it on the website. What you have done, in essence, is provide him a loan. It isn't money but it is definitely worth something.

He is using your stuff RIGHT NOW! Are you getting paid for that? Hell no. If you want to be an investor, go right ahead. But look at his track record... you have a better chance of making money off of Bear Stearns than CTZN.tv!!!

This is the same problem I have with Current. They take your stuff, post it on the web, and it competes to get votes. If it doesn't win, which the one submission I shot for a producer friend, did not... it just becomes free web material for them to use without costing them a dime. I never got paid a cent. F-that.

I realized right away that it has nothing to do with paying freelancers and everything to do with these companies amassing as much video as they can, for as long as they can, without having to pay for it. Brilliant for them, but a bad business call for ANY freelancer. I think it is shameful for professional freelancers to lower the standards of our business. Until you get a check, upfront for the work you do, you are lowering the bar of the industry at your peril.

[Chicago Dog]

Why is that? What is the advantage of being credentialed by CTZN.TV? If one is credentialed does that mean getting a paycheck? Or just a T-shirt, hat or i.d. card? ;)

You'll notice he never answered.
;)

[NewsMan]

A new video story is up as well as a new photo slideshow... fyi.

http://www.battlefieldtourist.com