Abstract:
A system for producing and distributing multimedia content. The inventive system includes a camera at a remote shooting location for generating a video feed, a first mechanism for distributing the video feed to a plurality of viewers, a second mechanism for receiving inputs regarding a content of the video feed from the viewers, and a third mechanism for creating the video feed in accordance with the viewer inputs. In an illustrative embodiment, the system includes a distribution server for transmitting the video feed and a web server adapted to receive the viewer inputs and in accordance therewith generate a control signal or message to create the desired content indicated by the viewer inputs. In a particular embodiment, the viewer inputs are used to control the camera filming the video feed, either automatically via electronic control signals or via a text message, web pop-up, or other notification to the camera operator.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to client-server network systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and distributing multimedia content. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Many people, including film students and amateur filmmakers, are interested in learning what happens behind the scenes during the production of a movie or other multimedia work. Film and television production is typically a complex and expensive process involving a large number of people including the cast, camera operators, lighting and sound crews, directors and assistant directors, etc. Learning the filmmaking trade can therefore be difficult and expensive. 
         [0005]    DVDs often include some behind the scenes footage, usually including commentary from the film director or various cast or production members. These videos give some insight into the filmmaking process but are generally limited to only a few aspects of film production and may not show everything a student or film enthusiast would like to see or learn about. 
         [0006]    The best way to learn about film or television production would be to actively participate in the production of a movie or television show, or to be present on an actual film/television set where one can observe the different aspects of production. However, film sets are usually closed to the public, and most people do not have access to either participate in or to just observe the production of an actual film. 
         [0007]    Hence, a need remains in the art for a system or method for enabling users to participate in the production of a multimedia work that is less expensive and more accessible than a conventional filmmaking process. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The need in the art is addressed by the system for producing and distributing multimedia content of the present invention. The inventive system includes a camera at a remote shooting location for generating a video feed, a first mechanism for distributing the video feed to a plurality of viewers, a second mechanism for receiving inputs regarding a content of the video feed from the viewers, and a third mechanism for creating the video feed in accordance with the viewer inputs. In an illustrative embodiment, the system includes a distribution server for transmitting the video feed to viewers over the interne and a web server running software adapted to receive the viewer inputs and in accordance therewith generate a control signal or message to create the desired content indicated by the viewer inputs. In a particular embodiment, the viewer inputs are used to control the camera filming the video feed, either automatically via electronic control signals or via a text message, web pop-up, or other notification to the camera operator. The viewer inputs may also be used to control aspects of film production. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of a multimedia production and distribution system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present teachings. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an example screenshot of a viewer web portal in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present teachings. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a simplified flow chart of the user-based content control in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present teachings. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention. 
         [0013]    While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility. 
         [0014]    The present invention provides a novel platform for producing and distributing multimedia content that enables viewers to participate in the creation of the content. In particular, the system allows users to control one or more cameras filming the content, either via a voting process or taking turns according to a time-share schedule. The system also includes two-way communication between viewers and the production staff, allowing viewers to ask questions or make requests (e.g., to the film director or camera operator). Optionally, the viewers may also contribute to other aspects of content production such as casting, lighting, etc. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of a multimedia production and distribution system  10  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present teachings. The system  10  includes a video streaming and distribution server  12  and a web server  20 . The video distribution server  12  receives one or more live video feeds from a remote shooting location and distributes the video feeds to a plurality of viewers via the internet. The web server  20  provides a web portal  24  for viewers to log in and view the video feeds from the video distribution server  12  on their personal computers  40 , and to provide inputs for steering the content of the live video feeds. The web server  20  receives the viewer inputs and generates control signals and/or messages that are transmitted to the remote shooting location to control the filmed content accordingly. 
         [0016]    The remote shooting location may be a studio sound stage or other film set for filming the multimedia content. A plurality of cameras  60  at the shooting location provides the live video feeds. In accordance with the present teachings, the multimedia system  10  includes a user-based camera control system  30  for steering at least one camera  60  on the set in accordance with inputs from the viewers. Camera control may be fully automated using mechanical controls, or the camera may be controlled by a human operator that receives instructions from the system  30 . 
         [0017]    Three cameras  60 A,  60 B, and  60 C are shown in the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 . A first camera  60 A is controlled by a human operator  62 A. The camera operator  62 A is notified of viewer instructions via a handheld device  64 , such as a cellular phone, PDA (personal digital assistant), or pager, or a laptop computer  70 . Alternatively, camera control may be fully automated. For example, in  FIG. 1 , a second camera  60 B is mounted on a mechanical gimbal and platform for rotating and moving the camera in response to electrical control signals from the user-based camera controller  30 . The user-based controller  30  may also generate control signals for adjusting camera settings such as focal length (zoom). The system  10  may also include one or more static cameras, such as the third camera  60 C, which have a fixed position. In an illustrative example, a plurality of wide angle fixed cameras are scattered throughout the set to provide live feeds of different parts of the set. Viewers can then use these static feeds to determine where to send a roving camera  60 A. 
         [0018]    The video outputs from each camera are transmitted to the video distribution server  12 . The video distribution server  12  may include software  14  for encoding the live feeds for transmission over the internet and, upon request from a viewer&#39;s computer, distributing the encoded feed thereto. Optionally, the video distribution server  12  may also receive and distribute a video or audio feed  16  containing live commentary from an expert (such as a professor or other expert commenting on various technical aspects of the film production). The live commentary feed may originate from the shooting location or from another remote location. 
         [0019]    In the illustrative embodiment, viewers participate in the content of the video feeds through the web server  20 . In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of viewers collectively steer the content through a voting process. For example, a production staff member may initiate a poll asking viewers what the roving camera  60 A should be filming, giving the viewers multiple selections to choose from such as follow the director, or a particular actor, or focus on a particular part of the set, etc. Alternatively, one viewer may be given direct content control during a particular time according to a “time share” schedule. 
         [0020]    The web server  20  includes software  22  for implementing the user-controlled content system. The server  20  includes a viewer web portal  24  that is accessible to viewers via a web browser  42  running on a personal computer, and an administrative portal  26  that is accessible to the production staff via a web browser  72  running on a computer  70  on the set. The server  20  includes polling software  28  for counting votes from the viewers and directing the results to a content control function  30 . The content control function  30  generates and transmits control signals or messages to the shooting location in response to the voting results. The content controller  30  may generate different types of signals/messages depending on what is being controlled. For example, the content controller  30  may generate control signals for automatically adjusting a mechanically controlled camera  60 B, or the content controller  30  may send a message describing the viewers&#39; request to the appropriate production staff member (such as the camera operator or the director) via, for example, an event notification pop-up  80  on the administrative web portal, or a page or text message to a mobile phone belonging to the staff member. In a preferred embodiment, the viewer requests are implemented in real-time, while the cameras  60  are streaming live feeds. 
         [0021]    In a preferred embodiment, the server  20  also includes chat software  32  for running a live chat session between the viewers and the production staff, allowing viewers to ask questions to the staff. The server  20  may also include software  34  for updating and displaying the current status of various production staff members (such as the camera operator) to the viewers based on input from the production staff. 
         [0022]    The administrative web portal  26  includes a user interface  74  for allowing a production staff member or other administrator to specify system parameters including poll parameters (such as what the poll is for, the selections viewers can choose from, when the poll should start, the duration of the poll, whom to notify with the poll results, etc.). The administrative web portal  26  may also include a live chat window  76  and an input form  78  for updating the status of certain production members. 
         [0023]    On the viewer side, the viewer web portal  24  displays one or more of the live video feeds (using a video player plug-in  54  running on the viewer&#39;s computer  40 ). In a preferred embodiment, several video feeds are transmitted from the video distribution server  12 , and the web portal  24  includes a user interface  52  for allowing the viewer to select which feed or feeds to view. Optionally, the video player  54  may include a “picture in picture” function allowing more than one feed to be displayed simultaneously. The viewer web portal  24  may also include a display  56  for viewing the expert commentary, which may be another video feed, an audio feed, or just text. 
         [0024]    The viewer web portal  24  also includes a user interface  50  for voting on content or otherwise providing inputs for controlling the content of the live feeds. The viewer web portal  24  may also include a live chat window  46  for interacting with other viewers and/or the production staff and a display  48  for displaying the current status of various production members. See  FIG. 2 , which shows an example screenshot of a viewer web portal  24  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present teachings. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a simplified flow chart of the user-based content control  100  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present teachings. In operation, first at Step  102 , a viewer logs into the system via a web browser, which displays the viewer web portal. 
         [0026]    At Step  104 , the viewer selects which camera(s) to display, and at Step  106 , the live video feed(s) from the selected camera(s) is displayed by the video player embedded in the viewer web portal. The viewer can switch cameras at any time. 
         [0027]    At Step  108 , a poll is initiated or scheduled by the production staff (via the administrative web portal). At Step  110 , the poll is displayed to the viewer, showing the voting options and the duration of the vote. 
         [0028]    At Step  112 , the viewer submits a vote. At Step  114 , the web server receives the viewer&#39;s vote and computes the poll results. Optionally, the results of the voting may be displayed to the viewer. 
         [0029]    At Step  116 , after the voting ends (based on the poll duration specified by the production staff at Step  108 ), the server sends the final results of the poll to the user-based content controller, which determines how to implement the poll results (as specified by the production staff at Step  108 ). In the illustrative embodiment, at Step  118 , the user-based content controller generates control signals for an automated system (such as for a mechanically controlled camera), or at Step  120 , the content controller sends the poll results to the appropriate production staff (such as the camera operator) via a text message or pop-up web notification. 
         [0030]    At Step  122 , the mechanically controlled camera moves in response to the control signals generated in Step  118 , or at Step  124 , the production staff member that was notified of the poll results in Step  120  implements the poll results (for example, the camera operator moves the camera in accordance with the poll results). Thus, the content of the live video feed is changed in accordance with the viewers&#39; inputs. 
         [0031]    This process then repeats for the next polls, until the viewer logs out of the system at Step  126 . 
         [0032]    In a first illustrative embodiment, the novel multimedia production and distribution system of the present invention is used in an educational application to film behind the scenes content of a movie shoot. In this embodiment, two sets of cameras are present at the shooting location: a first set of cameras for recording the actual movie footage (these cameras are not controlled by the viewers, but their feeds may optionally be streamed through the same distribution system) and a second set of cameras for shooting the behind the scenes footage (these cameras are controllable by the viewers). In a preferred embodiment, a production member (who may be the roving camera operator) continually monitors the administrative web site for requests from the viewers and implements those requests (such as changing the shot of the roving camera and/or asking questions of various production members). 
         [0033]    In a second illustrative embodiment, the inventive system is used to enable viewers to participate in the production of the actual movie. In this embodiment, viewers can control the position and settings of the cameras shooting the film footage. The viewers may also be allowed to control lighting and wardrobe choices, issue acting directions, vote on casting or script versions, select from different takes of a scene, etc. Optionally, the system may offer different tiers of service to the viewers, allowing them access to different parts of the system (e.g., different voting privileges) depending on the service tier purchased. 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, the system may be used as part of a course in an online film school, with participants receiving college credit and being graded on their participation and/or the final product (e.g., the film created by the participants using the inventive system). 
         [0035]    Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof. For example, while the illustrative embodiments have been described with reference to a movie production, the inventive system may also be used for other types of multimedia works such as television, video, commercials, etc. 
         [0036]    It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0037]    Accordingly,