Engineering Web Series?

[EEVblog]

Some very serious money is on offer from Google for the creation of new web series:
https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news_and_events/2015/mr_150513_skipahead.aspx
http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/funding/tvdrama/special_initiative_SkipAhead.aspx

My channel is more than big enough to qualify to enter.
With that sort of money I could hire a production crew or something.

If I was to enter such a thing and produce a web series, what would you like me to do?

I had two ideas off the bat:
1) Go behind the scenes at various Australian hardware tech startups
2) Tour various companies and universities etc doing creative new research and/or leading edge engineering.

[tautech]

Sounds like its just up your alley Dave. 

Good ideas, we want to encourage the young, help them dream and demonstrate the career path and the rewards of innovative ideas.

[Mr.B]

1) Go behind the scenes at various Australian hardware tech startups

+1

[Fsck]

2) Tour various companies and universities etc doing creative new research and/or leading edge engineering.

looks like fun to me. not sure how long you could keep it up though.

[EEVblog]

There are several catches:

The project that is the subject of the application must:
comprise narrative content intended for upload to YouTube (performance-driven narrative video blogging would be eligible, for example, whereas genres such as ‘How to...’ and lifestyle are not considered narrative-based and would not be eligible).
not be advertorial or intended primarily as advertising or marketing material.

As part of your application, you must submit the additional materials specified on the application form checklist:
a  two-page pitch document that describes your proposal, details the audience development and social media strategies to promote the series to a wider audience than the creator’s existing subscribers, and a plan for how the creator might continue to grow the channel following the release of the Skip Ahead episodes

Funding decisions will be made against the following criteria:

the creative strength and distinctiveness of the proposal, including the concept and entertainment value (30%)
the potential of the project to expand the subscriber base of the applicant’s channel(s) and/or reach new audiences and opportunities for commercialisation (20%)
the viability of the proposal with respect to the budget and scale of the project (20%)
the track record of the key participants involved in the proposal and the likelihood that this program will demonstrably develop their skills in made- for-web content production (30%).

[EEVblog]

looks like fun to me. not sure how long you could keep it up though.

The winners last year only did like 5 or so videos for the web series, it doesn't have to be many.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUwbBsL4IR77xphqBgTGcfkaJrzNeMjRn

[EEVblog]

Another idea would be to pick a technology, say renewable energy, and go explore what's being done to research and innovate in the field. I think that sort of idea would have a more focused narrative, and be easier to sell to the committee. I also have popular videos to back that, both ways. e.g. Solar Roads mythbusting, and my solar energy videos.

All the idea seems to involve travel  (not easy for a family guy)

[rx8pilot]

I have been in the production business for 20+ years and have some solid customers and contacts in all habitated areas of Australia. Would love to see something come of this. To me, there are great stories to be told in technology. The story is not the tech itself or the ridiculous opening drone shot that can be distracting. I want to see, understand, and feel what the smart people in tech do to accomplish something big.

Dave, I think one of your most significant talents is engaging people and showing the concepts - not just hard technical data. If all you did is heave information it would never have become a community like this. FYI, I live in Los Angeles so if you ended up a the YouTube studio come and visit. I can probably get a visit to a few TV shows or movies which are a blast to break down the tech involved in that area.

Anyway, my particular interests are in energy. I believe there is a ton of mis-information alongside some truly great ideas. If mankind worked out putting people on the moon in 1969, it seems ridiculous that there has been minuscule advancements in generation and distribution of power. 

[EEVblog]

I have been in the production business for 20+ years and have some solid customers and contacts in all habitated areas of Australia.

Thanks.
Yes, if I got the nod and I put out the word I'm sure it wouldn't be had to find people and places to visit.

Anyway, my particular interests are in energy. I believe there is a ton of mis-information alongside some truly great ideas. If mankind worked out putting people on the moon in 1969, it seems ridiculous that there has been minuscule advancements in generation and distribution of power.

Totally.
I like the renewable energy angle, it's in my area of knowledge, and it's a big thing here in Australia with potential mass appeal. With quite a few leading edge research projects being done here.

[pickle9000]

Another idea would be to pick a technology, say renewable energy, and go explore what's being done to research and innovate in the field. I think that sort of idea would have a more focused narrative, and be easier to sell to the committee. I also have popular videos to back that, both ways. e.g. Solar Roads mythbusting, and my solar energy videos.

All the idea seems to involve travel  (not easy for a family guy)

This is a winner

[Stonent]

Another idea would be to pick a technology, say renewable energy, and go explore what's being done to research and innovate in the field. I think that sort of idea would have a more focused narrative, and be easier to sell to the committee. I also have popular videos to back that, both ways. e.g. Solar Roads mythbusting, and my solar energy videos.

All the idea seems to involve travel  (not easy for a family guy)

Solar friggin roadways!

[tggzzz]

I like the renewable energy angle, it's in my area of knowledge, and it's a big thing here in Australia with potential mass appeal. With quite a few leading edge research projects being done here.

If you do, can I suggest you look at a book/website that has garnered serious praise from everybody, ranging from "Big Energy" to "Hardcore Ecowarriors". See http://withouthotair.com/endorsements.html

The author's objective is to replace adjectives with numbers. He normalises everything to the area of the UK "occupied" by one person, and points out that if they want to be self-sufficient then everything would have to come from that area. So, what energy do people use for what purposes, and what could be replaced from that area? He provides half-a-dozen future scenarios and states that he is disinterested in which solution is chosen, but he is very interested in ensuring the scenario is possible and numerate.

From the preface http://withouthotair.com/c0/preface.shtml :

What’s this book about?

I’m concerned about cutting UK emissions of twaddle – twaddle about sustainable energy. Everyone says getting off fossil fuels is important, and we’re all encouraged to “make a difference,” but many of the things that allegedly make a difference don’t add up.

Twaddle emissions are high at the moment because people get emotional (for example about wind farms or nuclear power) and no-one talks about numbers. Or if they do mention numbers, they select them to sound big, to make an impression, and to score points in arguments, rather than to aid thoughtful discussion.

This is a straight-talking book about the numbers. The aim is to guide the reader around the claptrap to actions that really make a difference and to policies that add up.

[LabSpokane]

Dave,

I think it would be great, just keep in mind that you'll need to tell a story. If you want to bring on some help, strongly consider bringing in some talent from an advertising agency.  (Yes, you read that correctly.)  A good advertiser is able to tell a story in 30 seconds.  You will need every bit of that person's skill to tell a compelling technical story in 5 to 7 minutes. 

I'd spend most of my time on finding that great storytelling consultant.  The filming / production people would be far behind in priority. 

[EEVblog]

I think it would be great, just keep in mind that you'll need to tell a story. If you want to bring on some help, strongly consider bringing in some talent from an advertising agency.  (Yes, you read that correctly.)  A good advertiser is able to tell a story in 30 seconds.  You will need every bit of that person's skill to tell a compelling technical story in 5 to 7 minutes. 

I think I can tell a compelling story in 5-7 minutes, I just (ironically) need time to do it properly and plan to do it in the first place. It would take weeks and weeks of work to plan and produce a nice polished 5 minute story.
I'd rather bring in a filmmaker and editor than some advertising person.

I'd spend most of my time on finding that great storytelling consultant.  The filming / production people would be far behind in priority.

Yes, the actual production is not much compared to the story and planning it all out.
Yes,

[EEVblog]

No one has any idea for topics? 

[miguelvp]

How about:

The rebirth of the electronic hobbyist, from computer clubs to hackerspaces, the transition from geeks to makers.

But might require travel.

Edit: you can add 35 year span, or how electronics are now more accessible than it ever was, etc.

[JackP]

How about:

The rebirth of the electronic hobbyist, from computer clubs to hackerspaces, the transition from geeks to makers.

But might require travel.

Edit: you can add 35 year span, or how electronics are now more accessible than it ever was, etc.

^ Talk about your PCLA (how the industry has developed, design processes...)

[rx8pilot]

How about:
The rebirth of the electronic hobbyist, from computer clubs to hackerspaces, the transition from geeks to makers.

I was thinking on similar lines. When I got my first Radio Shack AM radio kit for Christmas in 1981, learning about electronics was far slower. It was a hobby for me until a few years ago when I decided that I wanted a career change.

YouTube and THIS community has allowed me to go from ohms law to designing, building and selling commercial electronics as my sole living. I came from designing and CNC machining advanced mechanics and now I have mid-level circuit design and software skills. These are all skills I picked up on the internet. YouTube videos are good and bad, but the good ones deliver not only book knowledge, but the secret skills and tricks that experienced professionals spent decades learning.

This power that has blossomed over the past 20 years has harnessed the people with aptitude into people that make things and solve problems.

"The Impact of YouTube on Engineering our World"

[LabSpokane]

My suggestion: whatever you do, tell the story of a specific *person*.  It doesn't need to be a famous person, but compelling stories are always about people, not stuff.  The stuff is what you use to color in the story. 

So, find an Aussie with a compelling story and start there. 

[rx8pilot]

My suggestion: whatever you do, tell the story of a specific *person*.  It doesn't need to be a famous person, but compelling stories are always about people, not stuff.  The stuff is what you use to color in the story. 

So, find an Aussie with a compelling story and start there.

Yes.

Dave,

I think it would be great, just keep in mind that you'll need to tell a story. If you want to bring on some help, strongly consider bringing in some talent from an advertising agency.  (Yes, you read that correctly.)  A good advertiser is able to tell a story in 30 seconds.  You will need every bit of that person's skill to tell a compelling technical story in 5 to 7 minutes. 

I'd spend most of my time on finding that great storytelling consultant.  The filming / production people would be far behind in priority. 

After doing hundreds of commercials with ad agencies, I would never have them near a project that need to tell a compelling story. There are some talented documentary filmakers that can capture a story and mold the presentation in an organic way. Advertising types plan the project to a near death experience and then waste a ton of money during the actual production.

I really agree that focusing on a person should be the repeating motif for the series. Variations on how they design, make, or learn could be the episode topic.

[LabSpokane]

After doing hundreds of commercials with ad agencies, I would never have them near a project that need to tell a compelling story. There are some talented documentary filmakers that can capture a story and mold the presentation in an organic way. Advertising types plan the project to a near death experience and then waste a ton of money during the actual production.

I suggested an advertising person because of the 5-7 minute timeframe.  I think Dave is fully capable of doing it, but I think there's some expertise that is far better hired than acquired given the need to condense the story.  The perfect person would be someone who works in Public Broadcasting and does a weekly 1/2 show with two to three feature segments.  I just don't know how available that person is. I really think this short format could be quite challenging.  I don't think it's possible to get into any type of "deep technology" with this, but it is a great way to make the general public familiar with icons of whom they could know little or be totally unaware. 

With a $200K budget, I wouldn't discount the possibility of a trip to Hong Kong and Shenzhen.  Bunnie Huang has to know some great people there to talk to. 

[EEVblog]

With a $200K budget, I wouldn't discount the possibility of a trip to Hong Kong and Shenzhen.  Bunnie Huang has to know some great people there to talk to.

The grant  is "up to $100K".
And I don't know what they mean by the "up to" part.

[pickle9000]

Maybe you should do a few quick, run and gun videos. You could post the on the "other channel" and see where it leads do it in your normal style but only 5 minutes.

- Find a person to interview, anyone. Possibly a person that works in a cal lab, designs mics or is a world traveler and a little dicky.
- Do a comparison between hydro power and an AA battery or solar, maybe show the real costs over time. That could include environmental damage and so on. You have solar on the roof do an intro there.
- Pick a basic product that is made locally show designers, pcb line, case manufacturer,  and maybe a sm resistor and explain evey part had gone through a massive build system from raw material to finished product.

[Galenbo]

Another idea would be to pick a technology, say renewable energy, and go ...

Please not that. It's completely polarised between the 98% dilettantes and the 2% that know ohm's law, it's been completely overexposured in the media, and too much politicians are stuck between budget cuts and easy media attention. And they're scared about everything due to being "generalist"

I made the decision to stop talking to outsiders about renewable, drones and 3d printers, because after 3 sentences all I hear is some false representation of what was falsely stated on the news.
It's not the degree of stupidness that embarrases me, it's the 'volume' of stupidness. Before, I politely endured their words, carefully trying to send it to another topic, but everytime it ended up like suddenly everybody at the table had to say their words about it.

You did debunk the solaroads story in a great specific and detailed way, no need for more. The greenbelievers will keep on disliking or blocking your video, the people in the sector knew the thruth before 2004.

No one has any idea for topics? 

One thing I would like to see, is a series of videos that show the huge difference between a hobby project and a product realisation.
As you showed before, you quickly run up to EMC and machine, electrical, safety regulations but there must be a way to illustrate both paths.

Many are stuck at the 'blinking led' level, but also at the breadboard or prototype level.
There's also a big difference between making something for yourself and make it work for others too.

Maybe coach people with a prototype to realise their product selling?

No one has any idea for topics? 

Where's the Dave that said: Don't fucking tell me what to do.
If you have an idea, do it yourself... Wgroahr.
:-) :-) :-)

[EEVblog]

One thing I would like to see, is a series of videos that show the huge difference between a hobby project and a product realisation.
As you showed before, you quickly run up to EMC and machine, electrical, safety regulations but there must be a way to illustrate both paths.

Many are stuck at the 'blinking led' level, but also at the breadboard or prototype level.
There's also a big difference between making something for yourself and make it work for others too.

Maybe coach people with a prototype to realise their product selling?

That's not what this thing is about.
Again, the things they want to see:

Skip Ahead is a joint initiative of Screen Australia and Google to help a new generation of online storytellers to expand their vision and the ambition of the content they create for online audiences.

The program aims to cultivate original Australian narrative-based content made specifically for global online audiences.

"the potential of the project to expand the subscriber base of the applicant’s channel(s) and/or reach new audiences and opportunities for commercialisation (20%)"

This can't be my regular technical type videos that appeal to just my regular audience.