josh soskin

Current TV is a new cable television network, one of the first to involved its audience by airing viewer created content. We're kicking off a new video contest for our launch August 1. We have this whole 'online studio' where we are asking anybody, everybody, to jump in and make stuff for TV. Lots of examples on our website: www.current.tv You can make a promo, a 1-5 minute video, or even just send in 30 seconds of raw footage. LOTS more details here: http://current.tv/contest There are a couple of different prizes too -- check them out on our site. Beyond that there are extensive opportunities for commissions, acquisitions and freelance contributions, so don't hesitate to ask by emailing studio@current.tv. This really goes beyond prizes and money. We are starting the first network to be produced by its audience, and we want to share it w/ anybody who's looking for a place to showcase their work or tell their story

Hi. My name is Josh Soskin. I?m the Content Coordinator for the Current Studio at Current TV, (www.current.tv ) a new television network set to launch on August 1 into 20 million homes. We are going to be the only network ever to open themselves up to independent filmmakers as well as anyone with a camera, an interesting story and a desire to make television as opposed to just passively watching it. As one of our first projects we?re asking for 1-5 min non-fictional pieces for one of three topics (see below). The top five finalists will be posted on our site and voted on by the on-line community. The winner will get a Studio development deal of $3,000 to work with one of our producers to pitch and create three 3-5 minute pieces that will air on Current when we launch. Even if you don?t win, if we air any part of any of the submission, we will pay a minimum of 250 dollars and you?ll be a credited creator televised on our growing national network. If you have any questions feel free to email me at jsoskin@currentmedia.com If you want more info on Current, who we are, the contest, our community meet-ups, etc. go to our website, www.current.tv Here are the three prompts that you can also find on our site: Current Gigs Does your job redefine the 9-5? Do you have the most incredible, bizarre, or mindless gig in the world? Show us what you do for a living, or someone who has a great job that you wish you had. Current Soul Show us how you pray. Jesus or Allah, yoga or tantra, churching or surfing. Is Paul Okenfold or Bob Marley your high priest? What connects you to the divine? Current Fashion Got style? Turn the camera on yourself, a friend, or a fashionista walking by and show us what's in, or what should be out. Don?t forget to check out our site. It?s fun: www.current.tv

Thanks for your honesty Phil. I undesrtand your skepticism as the corporate world definately creates a lot of distrust, but I'm a 24 year old amateur filmmaker myself, not a corporate mogul and I actually thought people on this site would be happy to hear about this because we're trying to propose an answer to the mess of corporate conglomerate television. Yes I work for the company, but I'm totally transparent in my intentions. I just wanted to let you guys know about this, because frankly there's no where else for independent filmmakers to go right now and if you want to have your work seen and get paid for it (not pay FOR it like most film fests) then I thought you guys would like to know about what we're doing. If you have any questions I'd love to answer them and/or discuss other things related to film and television. it's really pre-mature to get a full sense about what we're doing but you should check out the site at least and let me know what you think. thanks again for the response--josh

Hi all-- My name is Josh. I work at INdTV, Al Gore and Joel Hyatt's new start-up TV Network (see www.indtv.tv). We're set to launch in August and we're going public on April 4 with a big street party(see takebacktv.com) here in SF. Part of what makes our programming unique is that apart from original programming, we are starting an open-source program that offers the opportunity for filmakers and basically anyone with a camera to create content and tell their stories to a national audience (we're launching with 20 million homes) and get paid for it. We just finished one short video contest and we're planning on starting another in April. We're looking for short form (1-5 minute) non-fictional content and I'm trying to figure out the best way to get the word out to the film community. I just joined this site and I love it so I don't want to step on any toes. What's the best way to let you guys know about this? Is sending out emails to those members who have their emails available an acceptable thing here? Are these forums the best place? Can you guys offer any other ideas or sites that might be another effective way to let people know about what we're doing? I think what we're doing will be trully awesome, democratizing and eventually changing television--otherwise I wouldn't be working here I guess. I'd love to get any of your feedback, suggestions or questions. feel free to post here or email me at jsoskin@indtvholdings. com. thanks--josh