Verizon V CAST to Present Film Festival

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Verizon Wireless will distribute via its V CAST mobile-video service six short films from the upcoming Great Sketch Experiment contest.

As part of the promotion, Verizon will allow its wireless subscribers to access V CAST on a daily basis for $3, eliminating the need to sign up for the $15 V CAST Vpack monthly subscription (www.multichannel.com/article/CA6383029.html).

The six short films, directed by comedy-film director John Landis, were the best entries from the Great Sketch Experiment, a video-comedy competition that initially brought together 50 comedy troupes from across the country.

Viewers can vote for their favorite sketch on comedy Web site JibJab (www.jibjab.com), which is also distributing the shorts. The film with the most votes by Nov. 16 will receive a $10,000 development deal with JibJab, according to Verizon and the online company.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.