Do you have an amazing short film, movie, or vlog? Well, Amazon is looking for YOU!
Are you looking for a job? Are you tired of going through the classifieds to find your next acting, modeling, or filmmaking job? If so, have you thought about working for Amazon?
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Amazon has unveiled their plans to create their own version of YouTube by creating their own user-generated video website called Amazon Video Direct. This service allows for filmmakers, content creators and vloggers to upload their own videos to Amazon’s Prime Video and generate royalties in the process based on the hours streamed.
What is Amazon Video Direct?
Creators have several ways to make money off of their videos, including making them available to rent or own, or they can make them free and ad-supported. The videos can be packaged together and offered as an add-on subscription to Amazon Prime Video (Add-on subscriptions will be available through the Streaming Partners Program and it is designed for larger-scale providers.)
According to reports, the new program is designed for content creators and helps to reach the “Tens of millions” of Prime members. Many of these customers are currently using Amazon Prime, the same way they use Netflix to watch Amazon’s free TV shows and movies.
In addition, Amazon says creators will be able to control where their videos can be streamed. That means you can stream your videos all over the world including U.S., Germany, Austria, United Kingdom and Japan. Also, the videos can be played back anywhere Amazon Video works, which includes mobile phones, desktops, game consoles and Fire TV.
How much are content creators on Amazon Video Direct?
According to Variety, Amazon will pay partners 50 percent of the retail price for digital purchases, rentals and subscription fees. If creators distribute on Prime Video, they will also earn royalties of 15 cents per hour streamed in the U.S. and 6 cents in other countries. (This is capped at $75,000 per year).
Along with Amazon Video Direct, Amazon is also launching Amazon Video Direct Stars. A promotion designed to kickstart this new video platform. The AVD Stars program will give “creators a share of $1 million per month based on customer engagement with their title.”
Amazon points out that they will pay a monthly bonus to creators from the $1 million monthly fund, based on the Top 100 AVD titles in Prime Video. This is on top of any other revenue earned. All filmmakers and content creators will automatically be enrolled.
When does Amazon Video Direct start?
The program launched this week and the $1 million monthly fund will make its first bonus distributions based on streaming activity next month.
Amazon will distribute a share of $1,000,000 per month as a bonus to the Top 100 titles included with Prime through Amazon Video Direct. This bonus—based on global customer engagement—is incremental to revenue earned from hours streamed, rentals, purchases, monthly subscriptions, and ad impressions. All of your titles included with Prime are automatically eligible. [Amazon]
Who is currently using Amazon Video Direct?
There are a ton of filmmakers using Amazon Video Direct including Conde Nast Entertainment, HowStuffWorks, Samuel Goldwyn Films, The Guardian, Mashable, Mattel, StyleHaul, Kin Community, Jash, Business Insider, Machinima, TYT Network, Baby Einstein, CJ Entertainment America, Xive TV, Synergetic Distribution, Kino Nation, Journeyman Pictures, and Pro Guitar Lessons, according to Tech Crunch.
Related: Looking for a Job? Google is Now Hiring Screenwriters
Why is Amazon doing this?
Amazon is trying to reach a larger audience and possibly a younger audience as millennials are choosing to go to YouTube than watch regular TV and movies. The launch also follows Amazon’s recent debut of standalone subscriptions, which target non-Prime members at a cost of $8.99 a month.
How do you sign up for Amazon Video Direct?
You can sign up for Amazon Video direct by clicking here.
