Thanks for inviting the #webseries community to be a part of the International Academy of Web Television with the new membership policy.  Use of the word ‘community’ is a lot more appropriate with the new policy. Congrats.

I’m being told to join now if I want to be part of the solution, to build the web series industry, the community and some have seen my recent questioning of the IAWTV on Twitter as throwing stones from the sidelines. 

See, I’m busy and I don’t have a lot of money or time and to be a part of the IAWTV takes both.  Like a good indie producer, I question where I’m spending resources.

May I be direct? 

You have a branding problem.

I know there’s lots of good things you wish to do for the web series industry professionals but here’s how the recent history looks from the outside:

1) Streamy Award debacle.

2) Rebuild the trust.

3) Board of directors membership changes.

4) Open membership - $90, please.

I really need to know why I should join when I have yet to know what your plans are now, with the new membership policy.  I realize it’s difficult to communicate what a collective of membership states on a regular basis.  But when you open the doors to membership, I think you need to recognize what it might look like to someone on the outside.

It looks like a house built on a weak foundation and putting more people inside that house will add the labor to fix it, but it may be sinking the whole time.

I’ve described the web series community as being like a small town that got dropped on the entertainment industry.  I’ve met some of the coolest most grounded people in LA at web series screenings, meetups and parties.  I consider myself to be a part of that community.

But I think the IAWTV needs to do more to explain what it is right NOW and what it is going to be. Opening the doors brings in money, but what’s next?  The circular argument of join or be left out sounds like I’m being sold something.  My time is worth money.

There are the following words in the bylaws regarding the purpose of the organization: promote (twice), further, encourage, act, develop and foster (twice).  In the twenty-five page document that is your corporate bylaws, the word resource is not used once.  I think that needs to be a stated goal and one worth pursuing.

 I think there also needs to be a statement about the awards.  I realize that the IAWTV would not be attractive to members without awards, but that’s not enough to make an organization worth joining, IMHO.

Is Tubefilter part of the deal?  In what capacity?  How will the IAWTV be an autonomous body regarding the awards?   Are membership dues used to prop up a for-profit?  What are dues used to pay for?  If my dues are used as part of an awards program of any kind and Tubefilter is a for-profit organization, am I also investing in that company by joining in any way, perceived, actual or by default?

Because membership has been more of an obstacle course in the past, representing the organization to potential membership has never been an issue.   Now that the door is open and there’s a cover, you need to communicate what you are, IAWTV.

When I have a better understanding of your organization, then perhaps it will be one that I consider being a part of, but at the moment, I’ve got a lot of questions.

-Joe Wilson