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IS YOUTUBE THE NEW NETFLIX?

It might not premiere a dozen new original films every week, but YouTube is certainly dominating the world in watch hours. Officially ranked as the highest streamed site for video (yes, even more than Netflix), YouTube has the potential to become a powerful vehicle for filmmakers. In recent years, we’ve seen creators leverage their channels to crowdfund, produce, and distribute their films, like Yes Theory, Danny Gevirtz, and Art of Documentary. Today’s top article is about the most recent film to join those ranks.

While YouTube may not have the same pedigree as big streamers, we think it’s exciting for filmmakers to have a free method of distribution that has the potential to reach so many. The proof of concept has been established, and we think it’s only time before it becomes a new normal in the film industry; just like how the likes of Netflix and Apple TV+ became a regular contender in the Oscars. But we want to hear from you, too; click down to our Question of the Week and leave a vote for your take on the world of YouTube filmmaking.

With that, welcome to Mosaic 005 — dive in, get lost, and enjoy.

THE RUNDOWN:

1. IS YOUTUBE THE NEW NETFLIX?

2. DIRECT TO YOUTUBE

3. PULSE CHECK

4. OFF-SCRIPT

5. QUESTION OF THE WEEK

6. ONLY ONE LEFT*

DIRECT TO YOUTUBE

What started as a simple pitch to create a short YouTube video about the training of artist-turned-runner Joe Greer, evolved into a feature length documentary unpacking family trauma and the weight of forgiveness. Chicago-based filmmakers Eric Floberg, Steven Schultz, and Gene Yoon embarked on this project without knowing the destination; only that the story had to be told right.

Now, 2.5 years after the first day of production, the full 75-minute film is available for free on YouTube. Click the link below to check it out.

(Pssssst — the entire film happens to graded with Gamut LUTs, too. This feels like a proud parent moment.)

PULSE CHECK

2024 is almost over, but there’s still plenty of camera news to share. Here are some of the latest releases that we think you should know about.

• Sony’s new 28-70mm f/2 is a smaller, lighter, and slightly cheaper version of the infamous Canon lens; how does it hold up?

• Apple releases a new “entry-level computer king” with the $600 M4 Mac Mini.

• DJI unveils another set of wireless mics that are half the price and half the size of the Mic 2.

• Moment releases a 4L and 2L sling to round out their “Everything” bag line.

• A small, bi-color light with magnetic grid, diffusion, and tripod attachments for under $100? Yes, please.

• There is a new newsletter specifically for wedding photographers putting a—as we say—”pulse check” on the industry.

OFF-SCRIPT

Every now and then, it feels good to get lost down a few rabbit holes. Off-Script is our catch-all for exactly that; a random assortment of objects, products, music, videos, books, tools, and inspiration we’re finding in our day-to-day.

• A retro 3D-printed enclosure to house your Mac Studio and iPad Mini at the same time.

• This live session of Bleachers performing in a bus is one of the coolest things we’ve ever seen. (p.s. it’s been said Levi is a doppelgänger for Jack Antonoff)

• The autobiography of a restauranteur that provided loads of inspiration for everyone’s favorite Chicago-based show, “The Bear”

• Danny Gevirtz released a BTS look at his upcoming short film, “The Man in the Photo,” set to premiere on YouTube next week.

• We’re big fans of Severance here at Mosaic, so you can only imagine how exciting the trailer for Season 2 is for us.

• This is the coolest dock you’ve ever seen for an iPhone in StandBy mode.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

ONLY ONE LEFT*

*Until the end of 2024. It’s hard to believe that the year is almost over, but we’ve got projects a plenty keeping us occupied until the very end. We’ll be in touch once more before 2025, but in the mean time, if you liked Issue 005, please share it with a friend below.

We’ll see you soon.

Written & Directed by

Levi Tijerina & Steven Schultz