Video production can be challenging to organize, it involves creative collaboration between script writers, actors, producers, and technical crew; so a Toronto-based startup wants to ease that burden by helping video producing teams collaborate.
Spidvid first launched last year, spinning out of the Incubes incubator program with the mandate to help users “make video together.” Since then, it has redesigned and launched a new user interface used to manage the creation of videos. The online platform helps those looking to create video projects connect with team members and manage their workflow. When the video is done, it can be uploaded to Spidvid and distributed across other online channels like YouTube and Vimeo.
Spidvid relaunched over this year after its chief technology officer departed the company, according to Jeremy Campbell, president of Socially Collaborative Media Inc., Spidvid’s parent firm. So a development team built the new user interface using a PHP framework.
“I had the UI designed by a couple guys who helped Evernote design their original UI,” he says. “Both my development and design team did an incredible job, and continue to as we constantly change and tweak features and functionality.”
Spidvid users can launch their projects either publically to recruit team members, or privately to work with a predetermined team. A large focus of the project organization is around location, and filmmakers can invite talent to bid on their projects. People who visit Spidvid must register before seeing available members and projects for bid.
The site has been used to create 378 videos so far, generating almost 3 million views, the home page claims. Campbell plans to seek outside funding later this year when Spidvid’s premium account services launch. Those pay-for accounts will feature an escrow payment system so members can send and receive payments for the projects they contribute too.
Spidvid’s introduction to its video collaboration service.
“I continue to bootstrap my company to get as far as possible before raising outside funding from angel investors and venture capitalists,” Campbell says. “So I can raise more funds at a better valuation.”
Spidvid is being used mostly to create entertainment videos, he adds. One of Campbell’s personal favourites is Siri in which Apple’s iPhone voice assistant seems to take personality cues from HAL and leads to disaster for one conniving businessman.
Brian Jackson is the Editor at ITBusiness.ca. E-mail him at [email protected], follow him on Twitter, connect on Google+, read his blog, and check out the IT Business Facebook Page. 
