Socialmediaworx

As the marketplace is still lurching towards a more democratized platform of content distribution, we have yet to fully experience the full power of collaboratively-created content. Massify.com seeks to tap the strength of social networks to create films. While not the first to embark on crowdsourcing film making, the New York Times explains that:

Massify members (membership is free and anyone can join) are offered a platform to promote themselves and whatever current projects they are involved in, and are also eligible to vote on other users’ film ideas through online competitions in which members vie for financing and distribution from Massify and its partners.

And after granting money to winners of its online competitions, determined by popular user vote, the investors in Massify will maintain a financial interest in the films that originated there, and help produce and bring them to market.

Brett Icahn, Massify’s other founder, said: “Online networks should apply a democratic process to the creation of content, not just the distribution of it,” he said. “The Massify community crowdsources the best ideas, and elects the best actors. It’s more a production network than a social network, because it’s driven by a creative purpose.”

While Massify will face a lot of challenges unique to the film industry, I’d love to see them succeed. Building a community dedicated to creating a wonderful product through a collaborative experience is a powerful tool, and its a model I think more brands and organizations will soon adopt, especially as more tools come into place to better empower audiences.