PBS announced plans for six original web series at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, CA. "I think the online space is a great area to experiment," PBS President and CEO Paula A. Kerger told reporters, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Kerger attributed the decision to the lower cost of producing and distributing projects online and the station's successful growth online and on social media. Indeed, the PBS Facebook page has nearly a million likes, over 900,000 followers on Twitter, and its YouTube channel is nearing 100,000 subscribers, despite its own video hub at PBS.org. PBS has been experimenting with original online series over the past years, but this week's announcement marks an unprecedented commitment to the medium. Last summer, PBS produced arts-focused original series Off Book, and collaborated with Annie Leonard (The Story of Stuff) and Wgbh to release a kid-oriented animated educational series Loop Scoops. Back...
- 1/5/2012
- by Drew Baldwin
- Tubefilter.com
Annie Leonard is a whiz at tackling tough topics (bottled water, the cosmetics industry) in viral video-sized spans of time. Her latest, The Story of Citizens United v. Fec, is no different. The video explores "the inordinate power that corporations exercise in our democracy," according to Leonard, and begins to explore some of the reasons why corporations can dodge the blame for mucking up the environment.
It's certainly a contentious video--one that is likely to peeve viewers who appreciate the major role that large companies play in democracy. It could be argued that some corporations even wield this outsized power for good (see this Treehugger post on how Walmart is becoming the new Epa). Check out Leonard's video below.
[youtube k5kHACjrdEY]
Follow Fast Company on Twitter. Ariel Schwartz can be reached by email.
It's certainly a contentious video--one that is likely to peeve viewers who appreciate the major role that large companies play in democracy. It could be argued that some corporations even wield this outsized power for good (see this Treehugger post on how Walmart is becoming the new Epa). Check out Leonard's video below.
[youtube k5kHACjrdEY]
Follow Fast Company on Twitter. Ariel Schwartz can be reached by email.
- 3/1/2011
- by Ariel Schwartz
- Fast Company
Annie Leonard has educated us about everything from the cosmetics supply chain to bottled water with her signature animated shorts. Now the filmmaker is back with one of her most important videos yet: The Story of Electronics.
The eight-minute video, produced in conjunction with the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, covers the entire electronics supply chain from manufacture to disposal. In between, Leonard loads the film with surprising facts: did you know that computer factory workers have 40% more miscarriages than the general population?
"This come at a time when our awareness has heightened. It's an excellent story," says Renee Blanchard, a campaigner with Greenpeace's Greener Electronics Team. "One thing [in the video] that stood out for me--if the CEO's, the designers, the electronics industry had to deal with recycling waste themselves, the story would be different."
In typical Leonard style, the Story of Electronics website doesn't just offer despair; it also provides a list of actions for inspired viewers.
The eight-minute video, produced in conjunction with the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, covers the entire electronics supply chain from manufacture to disposal. In between, Leonard loads the film with surprising facts: did you know that computer factory workers have 40% more miscarriages than the general population?
"This come at a time when our awareness has heightened. It's an excellent story," says Renee Blanchard, a campaigner with Greenpeace's Greener Electronics Team. "One thing [in the video] that stood out for me--if the CEO's, the designers, the electronics industry had to deal with recycling waste themselves, the story would be different."
In typical Leonard style, the Story of Electronics website doesn't just offer despair; it also provides a list of actions for inspired viewers.
- 11/9/2010
- by Ariel Schwartz
- Fast Company
The Bottled Water Association's YouTube vid, is, like, totally lame.
If you've seen Annie Leonard's Story of Bottled Water or read one of our posts on the subject, you know that there is much to dislike in the bottled water industry. But the nonsensical and vaguely unsettling videos being pumped out by Bottled Water Matters, the consumer arm of the International Bottled Water Association, really don't help the industry's case.
Among the more disturbing statistics about bottled water: One third of bottled water comes from the tap, and enough oil and energy to fuel a million cars is used to make bottled water in the U.S. every year. These facts are conveniently smoothed over in the YouTube shorts produced by Bwm.
The video below purports to tell the "True Story of Bottled Water" with help from a helium-voiced animated bottle of water that defends the industry with fun...
If you've seen Annie Leonard's Story of Bottled Water or read one of our posts on the subject, you know that there is much to dislike in the bottled water industry. But the nonsensical and vaguely unsettling videos being pumped out by Bottled Water Matters, the consumer arm of the International Bottled Water Association, really don't help the industry's case.
Among the more disturbing statistics about bottled water: One third of bottled water comes from the tap, and enough oil and energy to fuel a million cars is used to make bottled water in the U.S. every year. These facts are conveniently smoothed over in the YouTube shorts produced by Bwm.
The video below purports to tell the "True Story of Bottled Water" with help from a helium-voiced animated bottle of water that defends the industry with fun...
- 8/11/2010
- by Ariel Schwartz
- Fast Company
If you've seen filmmaker Annie Leonard's short videos--The Story of Stuff, The Story of Cap and Trade, and The Story of Bottled Water--you know that she has a knack for explaining environmental issues in a simple and entertaining manner. Leonard doesn't disappoint with her latest, The Story of Cosmetics. Produced as part of a partnership with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the 8-minute film explores the world of toxic beauty products--and demands that we take action. Check it out below.
[youtube pfq000AF1i8]
Ariel Schwartz can be reached on Twitter or by email.
[youtube pfq000AF1i8]
Ariel Schwartz can be reached on Twitter or by email.
- 7/22/2010
- by Ariel Schwartz
- Fast Company
Planet Green's Virginia Sole-Smith discusses "Greensumption" with Annie Leanard, former Greenpeace activist, founder of The Story of Stuff and reigning #92 on our 100 Most Creative People
To kick things off, we're talking about "greensumption," or when you buy organic produce, install a low-flow showerhead in your bathroom, bring reusable bags to the grocery store and think, "whew, let's call it a day!" I fully admit to being guilty as charged on this one. Here's why we can (and should) all do a little more — and the good news is, it won't cost you a thing.
PG: A key message in The Story of Stuff is that we have to get away from "greensumption." Why has the green movement gotten so used to pointing to "10 easy things" or "buy organic" as the way to solve our problems, and why won't that work? (Or will it work a little bit?)
Annie Says: Of course,...
To kick things off, we're talking about "greensumption," or when you buy organic produce, install a low-flow showerhead in your bathroom, bring reusable bags to the grocery store and think, "whew, let's call it a day!" I fully admit to being guilty as charged on this one. Here's why we can (and should) all do a little more — and the good news is, it won't cost you a thing.
PG: A key message in The Story of Stuff is that we have to get away from "greensumption." Why has the green movement gotten so used to pointing to "10 easy things" or "buy organic" as the way to solve our problems, and why won't that work? (Or will it work a little bit?)
Annie Says: Of course,...
- 6/2/2010
- Fast Company
Earlier this week, we took a look at The Story of Bottled Water, Annie Leonard's short animated film about the bottled water industry. Apparently, the film hasn't gone over too well with bottled water industry types, who have fought back with one of the worst examples of greenwashing we've seen in a long time.
[youtube iExU-nt-RlA]
The video above, sent out by the International Bottled Water Association, offers up plenty of pretty pictures of nature, along with some fun facts (the industry plants trees to restore forests!) and questionable statistics. The video claims, for example, that water bottles have a 30.9% recycling rate. But Annie Leonard's video says that 80% of plastic bottles either end up in landfills or are incinerated. Even if the Ibwa's statistic is correct, that's still a whole lot of plastic landing in the dump.
In a press release accompanying its video, the Ibwa also claims that Leonard's...
[youtube iExU-nt-RlA]
The video above, sent out by the International Bottled Water Association, offers up plenty of pretty pictures of nature, along with some fun facts (the industry plants trees to restore forests!) and questionable statistics. The video claims, for example, that water bottles have a 30.9% recycling rate. But Annie Leonard's video says that 80% of plastic bottles either end up in landfills or are incinerated. Even if the Ibwa's statistic is correct, that's still a whole lot of plastic landing in the dump.
In a press release accompanying its video, the Ibwa also claims that Leonard's...
- 3/26/2010
- by Ariel Schwartz
- Fast Company
Annie Leonard, the mastermind behind The Story of Stuff and The Story of Cap and Trade, has released the latest in her series of animations about environmental issues, just in time for World Water Day. The Story of Bottled Water breaks down the problems with our beloved water in signature Annie Leonard form, with juicy tidbits like: one third of bottled water comes from the tap! And enough oil and energy to fuel a million cars is used to make bottled water in the U.S. each year! Okay, so tap water enthusiasts might already know most of what Leonard discusses in the video, but it's worth it to gather your bottled water-loving friends around the computer for 8 minutes to teach them in an easily digestible animation just why their Fiji and Dasani is so unnecessary.
[youtube Se12y9hSOM0]...
[youtube Se12y9hSOM0]...
- 3/22/2010
- by Ariel Schwartz
- Fast Company
Last weekend, I attended the 2009 Opportunity Green conference. There were some inspiring speakers with great messages. Len Sauers from P&G got me thinking about small changes across product lines that can make a big difference in the amount of resources consumed. Annie Leonard, who wrote The Story of Stuff, gave a jolting reminder of the waste built into our materials economy.
In light of all this, another of my takeaways was weighing heavily on my conscience, and my shoulder--the Swag Bag.
Looking through my five-pound bag, I encountered piles of cardboard, paper, and plastic wrapping--double-packaged disposable cardboard speakers, various logoed notebooks and pens, and a stack of brochures and magazines. Some of the swag had good intentions. We were encouraged to use our new set of bamboo dinnerware in lieu of plastic utensils and a reusable water bottle and hand towel instead of their disposable counterparts. But how many materials were used,...
In light of all this, another of my takeaways was weighing heavily on my conscience, and my shoulder--the Swag Bag.
Looking through my five-pound bag, I encountered piles of cardboard, paper, and plastic wrapping--double-packaged disposable cardboard speakers, various logoed notebooks and pens, and a stack of brochures and magazines. Some of the swag had good intentions. We were encouraged to use our new set of bamboo dinnerware in lieu of plastic utensils and a reusable water bottle and hand towel instead of their disposable counterparts. But how many materials were used,...
- 11/18/2009
- by Stuart Karten
- Fast Company
The business and sustainability conference Opportunity Green, held this past weekend in L.A., was an amazing experience. As we watched the various films and presentations, my wife and I moved from fear (How will the world survive?) to guilt (Look how we've polluted our planet!) to the hope that we can all work together, connected by the belief and passion that we will find a better way.
One of the presentations that struck me most was when sustainability expert Annie Leonard shared her film, "The Story of Stuff." The animated work takes a hard (yet humorous) look at the pitfalls of our consumer society. It has developed quite a following, with more than 7 million views to date. After watching it, you come away wondering if it's possible to have a consumer-based economy and achieve true sustainability.
This is something that both industrial designers and their clients have to consider.
One of the presentations that struck me most was when sustainability expert Annie Leonard shared her film, "The Story of Stuff." The animated work takes a hard (yet humorous) look at the pitfalls of our consumer society. It has developed quite a following, with more than 7 million views to date. After watching it, you come away wondering if it's possible to have a consumer-based economy and achieve true sustainability.
This is something that both industrial designers and their clients have to consider.
- 11/12/2009
- by Ravi Sawhney
- Fast Company
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