Created, Produced, and Starred in by... Me: Amateur Video on the Web and Its Implications for Philippine Mainstream Television

Abstract

This paper explores the phenomenon of amateur video on the internet and the production process practiced by amateur videographers. Since the advent of Web 2.0, a virtual community of produsers -- all amateur content creators -- create video that was first shared on the web, and made the jump to mainstream television. This paper documents this intelligent environment that emerged on the web and how its members, making use of available tools and their own interests and enthusiasm for creation, are producing content that defies long-held standards of newsworthiness and professional production. By defying the norms, participative audience are given a medium all their own to use. In particular, web video case studies from the Philippines are tackled here, as well as the convergence movement in the broadcast industry in the Philippines.