IAWTV: changes afoot. Meetings today and Thursday

Like many people, I've been waiting see what would happen at the next two IAWTV (International Academy of Web Television) meetings held in New York today, and LA on the 17th. After the May meeting in LA, Jenni Powell did an excellent summary, as did Liz Shannon Miller from NewTeeVee. Felicia Day, who is a member of the Board couldn't attend but wrote about her thoughts regarding the future of the IAWTV post-Streamys. The excellent podcast, New Mediacracy, also recorded a show straight after the May meeting, with Tony Valenzuela, Casey McKinnon, Barrett Garese, Brett Register, and Rudy Jahchan. This podcast is hosted by Zadi Diaz,  Steve Woolf and Chris McCaleb. I highly recommend listening because it touches on many of the pertinent matters related to the whole new media/web video community in a straightforward and personal way.

Earlier today Brady Brim-DeForest tweeted a link to an open note from him to the members of the IAWTV:

"...I am writing to inform you of my intention to resign my position as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Web Television, in concert with three of my fellow founders, Joshua Cohen, Marc Hustvedt, and Jamison Tilsner. Jamison and I will also be resigning our respective offices as Treasurer and Executive Director of the IAWTV..."

Mr Brim-Deforest and the other members will not be leaving the IAWTV but will remain members and still contribute as such. A letter from Elizabeth Flack dated May 26th, which was been posted on webseriesnetwork.com, said that this would happen and also outlined the new committees being set up. It also announced a new 'Director Emeritus' seat to be held by one of the six founding members of the IAWTV.

Real changes are afoot and it looks like the June meetings might bring about some positive plans for the future. I'm looking forward to seeing feedback from people who attend.

The Streamys: Rebuild the trust?

This is what the Streamys 2010 should be remembered for - excellence rewarded. Felica Day FTW

EDIT: Added link Derek Housman's tumblr post

These wounds are made for picking
The last two weeks have tested the mettle of many supporters of Web TV, webseries and web communities as a whole. After the events three weeks ago there have been claims and counter-claims across the web. And now there is a new movement afoot. Here are some recommended reads:

http://news.tubefilter.tv/2010/04/26/the-truth-about-the-streamy-awards-and-the-iawtv
A special Tubfilter Editoral from the creators of the Streamys Awards, Drew Baldwin, Brady Brim-DeForest, Joshua Cohen, Marc Hustvedt and Jamison Tilsner

http://rebuildthetrust.org/
The Manifesto from RebuildTheTrust

http://www.caseymckinnon.com/blog/personal/2010/04/26/the-elephant-in-the-room/
A rebuttal from Casey McKinnon, new media creator

http://rebuildthetrust.org/community/comments.php?DiscussionID=6&page=1#Item_2
@theonetruebix has asked for details about who does what at the IAWTV, Tubefilter and the Streamys

http://rebuildthetrust.org/community/comments.php?DiscussionID=7&page=1#Item_1
@Jeff_Koenig has asked for clarification on the 'takeover' section of the RebuildTheTrust manifesto

http://www.barrettgarese.com/post/551640683/my-total-speculation-on-what-the-truth-about-the
@SpyTap, Barret Garese, speculates on what it all might mean

http://kentnichols.com/2010/04/26/streamys-and-iawtv-there-can-be-only-one/
@kentnichols (AskANinja.com) looks at what might happen

http://derekhousman.tumblr.com/post/551571819/building-the-future
Derek Housman adds his take on the situation (thanks to Jeff_Koenig for commenting with this link)

The road to hell is paved with good intentions
My Gran was fond of that saying, usually applied when one or other of us had neglected to do homework, dishes or another decade of the Rosary but really meant to do it very soon.
Most people mean well but the gap between the intention and the result can be - well, very gappy indeed.

Confusion Reigns
I have no idea what is going on.
You have no idea what is going on.
We have no idea what is going on.

All I know is the following:

• I love me some webseries and have a lot of respect for the creators out there doing their thing
• I cannot shake the suspicion that money, influence and things unrelated to promoting new media/online entertainment are behind many of the issues being aired in public on both sides
• Transparency is a good thing as long as it works both ways
• Change is not always good, or bad

What I hoped the Streamys would be about:

• Celebrating achievements and efforts of the whole community of creators in the new media space.
• Promoting online entertainment as an industry to the world as a whole.
• Showing that creators can come from anywhere - that the quality of the product and the sincerity of the pursuit of the craft is more important than where you live, who you know and the funding you receive.

What I hoped the IAWTV would be about:

• Setting standards of propriety and openness that the rest of the new media/online entertainment industry could work towards.
• Building on the efforts of the creators to establish online entertainment as a vibrant and diverse community with common goals, standards and aspirations
• Organising, or at least setting standards for, outreach, learning and technical workshops for ALL the community

What happens next?
I have no clue. Letting the dust settle seems an appropriate response at this juncture because I have no idea what is really going on. The last three weeks have left me heartsore for all our community. There is more shock and disbelief today. People are trying to do the right thing. It's just a pity that there is no consesus on what that might be.