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Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

azizansari.com

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Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#91

Post by iamscanner »

mikecane wrote: post #72
theorique wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Writers can do that. There's no requirement for a writer to submit content to Apple (iTunes store) or Amazon (Kindle store). A writer can format documents in .mobi, .epub and .pdf files and sell them through any digital storefront (either home brewed or something like leanpub among many others) If a writer wants the exposure from being on the Kindle Store or iTunes Store, that's another matter. But there's no require…

>>>There's no requirement for a writer to submit content to Apple (iTunes store) or Amazon (Kindle store). Maybe I wasn't clear. Sure, any writer can set up a site, but then you cannot give buyers the convenience they expect with automagic downloads to a Kindle, Nook, or Kobo device. (I exclude iPad. Apple made competing eBook apps download via browser. Which is not something eInk devices can do.)

That automagical download and convenience you're talking about is one of the things you pay that 30% for. It's your call whether you want to go through that channel or not - no one's forcing you.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#92

Post by Nrsolis »

blafro wrote: post #90
Nrsolis wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did stand-up comedy for a while. Allow me to offer my own experience about the entrepreneurial streak you're seeing from the comedy sector: 1. As a comedian, you have no choice BUT to get creative. Nobody is going to give you stage time as a no-name comic so your choices are either (booked) open mics or starting your own show. 2. There isn't an "agent" culture for comics like there is for bands or actors. You write…

"The money stinks as a comic" A classic case of oversupply perhaps. Far too people quitting their day jobs to do stand-up full-time because someone in the office laughed at their jokes.

I don't think its a question of oversupply. Getting up on stage is a terrifying experience for most people.

I think the biggest factor is the mechanics of the showbusiness industry. The top people earn most (90%) of the potential revenue. The rest get the remainder.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#93

Post by lukifer »

nachteilig wrote: post #49

Can anyone confirm the format? I'd like to toss him $5, but only if I can play it on my iPad.

Despite being named .mov and lacking any metadata whatsoever, the file is encoded as a native H.264+AAC in 720p, which syncs just fine via iTunes and plays on an iPhone 4, meaning it should play back on an iPad as well.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#94

Post by kin »

Everyone here keeps saying to turn this into a platform. Though I agree that developers can capitalize on this opportunity, there's a road we can go down that in my opinion may make things too crowded. Yes, it would be great to have a central hub where I can browse through popular comedian's trailer videos and then download my favorite one for $5 DRM free. But, I think that'll just create so much competition between the comedians that they won't see the level of traction that Louis C.K. saw. Then again, it's a tradeoff and you can't really have both can you?

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#95

Post by jrockway »

bira wrote: post #11
kwamenum86 wrote: post #8

Normally, I'm a huge Aziz detractor but I think this has a shot at being more successful than Louis CK's special. I think Aziz is more popular with children of the Internet.

Why are you a huge Aziz detractor? First time I heard of this Aziz guy. Watched the preview, enjoyed it.

I'm guessing he's confusing him for the character he plays on Parks and Recreation.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#97

Post by seanalltogether »

blafro wrote: post #90
Nrsolis wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did stand-up comedy for a while. Allow me to offer my own experience about the entrepreneurial streak you're seeing from the comedy sector: 1. As a comedian, you have no choice BUT to get creative. Nobody is going to give you stage time as a no-name comic so your choices are either (booked) open mics or starting your own show. 2. There isn't an "agent" culture for comics like there is for bands or actors. You write…

"The money stinks as a comic" A classic case of oversupply perhaps. Far too people quitting their day jobs to do stand-up full-time because someone in the office laughed at their jokes.

Everyone learns to perfect their craft through constant failure. Musicians/artists have the luxury of failing over and over while in the isolation of their bedroom. Comics have no choice but to fail repeatedly in front of a live audience, and nobody wants to pay you while you're learning to fail.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#98

Post by [deleted] »

michaelbuckbee wrote: post #61
cfinke wrote: post #42

From the confirmation e-mail: "OH SHIITTTT!!!! Thanks for buying my new comedy special!!! THAT $5 IS MINE SON. Just kidding, but seriously it is."

The profanity in the order form was refreshing as well: "Confirm email (Don't Fuck This Up)" I'm guessing they didn't AB Test profane and clean copy on the forms.

[deleted]

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#99

Post by rokhayakebe »

tdoggette wrote: post #13
rkudeshi wrote: post #2

I know Louis CK was successful in this model, but at the time I expressed hesitation about others following his lead. He made a good amount of money, but given Louis CK is probably the most popular working comedian today, it didn't seem like ENOUGH money to justify the entire business model (assuming no one else would make as much doing the same). But now Aziz Ansari is doing it. Jim Gaffigan has announced plans to d…

I liked Louis CK from before his $5 special. When he released it, I read all about what the deal was, bought it, and thought it was at least five bucks worth of funny. I also like Aziz Ansari, so when I saw this, I skipped the reading part-- I skimmed the copy on my way through the checkout process to make sure everything was cool (it was) and paid my money. I'll keep doing that as long as artists I like keep releasi…

Plus you have to like the "freemium" model he did with the preview.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#100

Post by jmduke »

empika wrote: post #75
liber8 wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you were wrong. Considering Jeff Foxworthy has sold over 15 million albums[1], recently had a primetime show in syndication, and managed to make three of his drinking buddies into 8-figure yearly draws, I would say Louis CK is not even close to the most popular working comedian around. He has a rabid base, yes, but I would argue he's not even a mainstream comic (ie I would bet 9/10 people off the street would…

Louis is the comedians comedian. He might not be the most popular, but he is the best at what he does right now. Ask any other comedian!

You may not be incorrect, but that's not what the commenter was saying. He was refuting the claim that 'Louis CK is probably the most popular working comedian today'.
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