Become a YouTube star

Ever considered shooting a video for YouTube and then dumped the plan because the process seems too cumbersome? A new city-based service now intends to help you in your pursuit of becoming a video star. Called the YouTube Content Creators Network (YTCCN), the facility provides Internet enthusiasts — professionals and amateurs — with a production house-like set-up to shoot, edit and publish videos on the self-broadcasting website.

"There's a lot of talent that hasn't been capitalised by Bollywood or television; those are the kind of people we are targeting," says Pinakin Thakkar, 29, founder of Nirvana Digital that recently launched the network. "Many people have the expertise on various subjects, the idea is to get them into the studio and give them the infrastructure to express themselves. We'll upload the videos for them and drive traffic to their links with the help of our already-established 50-odd online channels."

The network promises to provide the facilities to content creators for free. "Sixty per cent of the returns that will be generated will be forwarded to the creators and we will keep 40 per cent. But each deal differs," says Thakkar, confident of the initiative. "This has never been done in India before."

When asked whether a selection process will streamline the number of entries they will receive, Thakkar explains, "I'd call it curating. It's not like we're going to say 'no' to ideas that we may not immediately see value in. We will give them some direction and take it
from there."

Of all their channels, some like Bolly2Box and KidRhymes have already received over 28 million views each. The company has also recently launched new channels, including one called The Mike Pandey Channel. "The point is to expand, and eventually have studios in many cities. Right now, we're in Juhu. We're starting here, and will soon take it to Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, among other locations," he says.

How it works
* Contact the YouTube Content Creators Network with a presentation.
* Discuss the idea.
* Make an episode break down and create a detailed plan.
* Help add value to the video.
* Shoot, edit and publish.