The Content Producers Program was done to express community on HabboHut Radio, one of the factors in the explosion of sound on HabboHotel, a product of Sulake, Inc., where I am employed.
Content Producer Program FAQ
Why are you doing this?
Great communities make art. Given what has already been submitted, I think HabboHut is ready to create and give skilled and motivated participants an opportunity to educate themselves, both in production skills and working in groups with kids from all over the world.
What is the difference between a Content Producer and a Premium Content Producer?
Content Producers have sent in 6 or fewer sound files of themselves saying stuff, screenshots, altered photos -- in other words, puzzle pieces.
Premium Content Producers use sound editing, animation, and video production skills to put the puzzle pieces together and make a song, music video, or animation. Premium Content Producers can also be sound file folks who have sent in 7 or more thoughtful and/or entertaining sound files, which have been played on the air.
What is your logic in this?
As not everyone has access to sophisticated production software, we are providing a sound-file-quantity requirement to allow anyone who wants the title of Premium Content Producer to be able to earn it.
Cross-platform sound editing programs like Audacity can be gotten on the web for free.
Are Premium Content Producers valued more than Content Producers?
No. You can't put a puzzle together without the pieces. Both levels just use different skills.
How do I become a Content Producer and/or Premium Content Producer?
Please refer to the application forms in this section. Send your application to hhfmcontact@yahoo.com. Please include your habbo name, home hotel, answers to all the questions on the form, and an attachment of your work. Those who have been accepted will be welcomed on the homepage.
If I send in 10 sound files of myself saying, "watermelon," can I become a Premium Content Producer?
No. ;-P
What part of HabboHut am I joining?
You are joining the News Department. Although original sound compositions get played on air, we don't stream video or animation. The only showcase we have for those art forms is the homepage news. That is why video and animation artists have the opportunity to do a skype conversation when their work goes up for download. It means that every Premium Content Producer can go on a radio show.
Am I Staff?
To a certain extent, yes, in that you influence a large part of what we play on air and display on-site. You won't be given any kind of authority or influence over the organisation, though. However, premium content producers stand a better chance of being offered an organisational position as we know you better and already have samples of your work.
Can I premiere my work on any radio show I want?
Pick the show you want. Ask me. I ask the DJ, and the DJ makes the decision about whether he/she wants to do it or not. If yes, I will make the arrangements, which will avoid any kid having to exchange personal information with another kid. If the answer is no, pick another show.
What is HabboHutSkype?
It is a special skype account, which will be available to adult employees of Sulake, who are also HabboHut Managers / DJs. It was set up to allow adult DJs to interview Premium Content Producers about their work on their shows. At this time, skype conversations for content producers are limited to this address, only. However, a premiere, with habbo party and DJ talking about someone's work (no skype, no direct exchange of personal info between kids), can be held by any DJ on any show.
What HabboHut Staff Contact will I have?
All content producers can communicate with me via email at hhfmcontent@yahoo.com. Premium Content Producers will start with me on their AIM lists. In the private board forum and Idea Lab class, you can meet others in the group. As you develop within our staff, you'll find people you like working with, and who wish to work with you.
If I become a Premium Content Producer, does that mean I can become a DJ?
No. the two applications are entirely seperate. A DJ is a performer; a Premium Content Producer is a production artist. Some people can do both. Some people are fantastic at one or the other. Everyone is beautiful, talented, and brilliant in their own way. :-) .
If I become a Premium Content Producer, how much time will I have to spend doing this?
Your call. Besides coming to the Idea Lab class once a month, it's really an independent study. The best way to work is not to offer more than you're comfortable with, and do what you'll say you'll do. I figure if your work is premiering, you'll want to come to that show, but most of the stuff I'm listing are things HabboHut will do for you.
Where will my work be shown?
After the link to new work is taken off the homepage, it will go in the library.
What about copyright laws?
We expect that Premium Content Producers will incorporate video and sound clips from public sources, which they didn't create themselves with their own cameras or in their own recording studios. If you are using a clip to create something for an educational purpose, and no profit is being made, it falls under fair use. Here is an excerpt from US Government Copyright Law.
"Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include -
"The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors."
What if I want to incorporate the unsolicited work of another HabboHut member into my project?
Ask permission. Material from another HabboHut member would be considered a private source. If permission is granted by the other HabboHut member, include that permission letter in your email to me.
If you are inspired...
Although most of you are in high school, and some are starting university, perhaps circumstances in your life will bring you to love new media enough to want to make it a career. If so, you might want to check out the masters degree program I went to: ITP. It's called the Interactive Telecommunications Program, and it's at New York University. People dream, work hard, and make cool stuff there.
Thank you
Thank you for reading our FAQ. I am looking forward to all the wonderful things we are going to create.