However, I think there are a number of legitimate film makers, or aspiring film makers who post on youtube in one form or another, and they deserve the opportunity to be rewarded.

I think the nature of the contest will weed out those “unworthy” of proper film making. I think those interested in such a prize would set to take on such a task and do it the best they can. Those that aren’t, won’t. Then, like normal film, it’s for the viewers to decide whose deserving of a prize.

Love-it or Hate-it, Youtube is a great way to gain exposure, and my impression is indie film makers need help in gaining all the exposure they can.

1. It’s the wrong reward for the Web video people who would be happy just to be minimally compensated for what they’re doing already, even if it just means being able to up their production values a notch.

2. It’s the wrong method to attract the aspiring industry/film school types who are unlikely to post their glossy short films on YouTube, particularly if they have hopes of further festival play, distribution, etc.

Finally, the required concept for the film sounds like somebody watched funnyordie.com’s “The Landlord” and reverse-engineered a contest rule that would yield more of the same. Lame…

I came from “old media”; working in Los Angeles on the typical crap..yadda yadda..

Now, my work is made exclusively for the web, paid for by web companies. I don’t have a need to get my work in festivals like Sundance. (though my work has appeared in festivals like Full Frame Doc Fest).

Creating for the web is a much different beast than creating for the big screen.

Plus, I won’t even get into the issues of posting on YouTube, with their crappy TOS…