Posting your demo reel on YouTube

[Ernest Burden III]

In another thread I posted part of YouTube's terms of use that suggests we cannot post material that primarily promote a business. But I saw a JetBlue video that seemed to do just that. So I emailed YouTube and here is the response:

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: "YouTube Support"

To:

Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 1:17 PM

Subject: Re: [#115377268] YouTube Support

 

 

> Hi there,

>

> Thanks for your email.

>

> Videos that do not provide specific ways of purchasing a product and are

> using the site for marketing tools are viable and not violating our terms

> of use.

>

> Hope this helps,

>

> Wynston

> The YouTube Team

>

> Original Message Follows:

> ------------------------

> From: eb3

> Subject: YouTube Support

> Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 09:02:06 -0800

>

> Recently I thought of posting an animation reel of my work on YouTube.

> But I read the term of use and found this:

>

> YouTube terms of use doc:

> C. In connection with User Submissions, you further agree that you will

> not: ... (iv) post advertisements or solicitations of business

>

> OK, I can't post my demo reel.

>

> But then today I saw news reports showing the President of JetBlue

> Airlines telling us how they are responding to recent problems. Not only

> does it seem like a solicitaion of business, in it he actually says "I ask

> for your business".

>

> Can I get a 'ruling' on whether this sort of video is acceptable, and

> whether an artist's demo reel (which shows their work and company name)

> would also be acceptable despite the fact that it is, at heart, an attempt

> to get business.

>

> Alternatively, if YouTube takes down the JetBlue video, it would be very

> instructive to your members as to the way they should read the Terms Of

> Use that they agree to when they post. And visitors would learn what they

> should expect, and not expect, when looking for content hosted on YouTube.

>

> Thank you,

> Ernest Burden

> Ossining, NY

 

 

Should we take that as an answer saying its OK to post an artist's reel on YouTube? I asked a specific question, didn't get a very specific answer. But the clear inference is that we CAN do that.

 

I would rather have my reel playing from my own site, but YouTube should be an option for people who don't have the bandwidth to host themselves, or are looking for wider exposure.

 

Well alright, then.

[gfa2]

Not that it makes it right or wrong, but I've seen quite a few demo reels on their site. I'd say you've gotten the thumbs up, but I'm no lawyer.

[Chad Warner]

Seems to me like you'd be in the clear. The worst thing that can happen if they don't like it is remove it from the site. And I too have seen a few demo reels on the site, so they probably don't mind.

[ikinman]

As part of over-all project marketing efforts for clients, we have posted animations and videos we made onto YouTube. We have never had any problems with that.

 

A key thing to do is to perfect the Divx encoding of your movie/animation before uploading to YouTube. Otherwise the video can look like mush.

[Tommy L]

As part of over-all project marketing efforts for clients, we have posted animations and videos we made onto YouTube. We have never had any problems with that.

 

A key thing to do is to perfect the Divx encoding of your movie/animation before uploading to YouTube. Otherwise the video can look like mush.

 

What settings do you use in divx encoder to optimize for youtube? I put it on the highest settings and it did indeed "look like mush" when it aired. Care to share a tip or two?