Screenshots of the Viddy app on iPhone.
With the proliferation of smart phones in people’s hands today, mobile applications have brought new ways to share our everyday lives. Whether through picture or video, a couple swipes of the finger can publish high-quality content to our social networks and online connections. Instagram, a photo-sharing app on the iOS platform, just passed 10 million users in less than a year. But if you want to bring your photos to life in live-action, I have just the tool for you: Viddy.
As the website states, Viddy is a simple way for anyone to capture, produce and share beautiful videos with the world. Record a moment of your life, give it that cinematic look with our production packs, and share it with those who matter most.
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There are two unique features that really attract me to Viddy: time and style. Like the former mobile video app, 12seconds, Viddy understands the fact that to be social and shareable, video needs to be short. In Viddy’s case, your video cannot exceed 15 seconds. Viddy also brings style to your videos, much like Instagram does to your photos. After you film your video, you can add “effects” like retro, black and white and 3D.
Viddy also allows you to cut up your clip, much like iMovie, and when your video is complete Viddy has quick and easy ways to post your video to connected social accounts.
Recently, I exchanged emails with Viddy’s chief marketing officer, Evan White (below, photo courtesy of Evan), my friend and a former iwearyourshirt T-shirt wearer.
Silicon Prairie News: Tell me about Viddy and what you do.
Evan White: Viddy is a social mobile application that makes it easy to capture, produce and share 15-second video clips, giving users the ability to share live action moments with their social media audiences – from anywhere – and in a cinematic, professional looking format. I’m the CMO.
SPN: When did Viddy launch and where did the idea come from to start Viddy?
EW: Launched to the public in April 2011 on iOS. To date, the app has been downloaded by 800,000 users. The idea came when JJ Aguhob, Viddy’s Founder, was looking to start a new business. As a serial entrepreneur, he wanted to tap into the mobile space and the growing industry of video. Five months later, he had built a community.
SPN: To me, Viddy seems kind of like the Instagram of video. How would you describe it?
EW: A lot of people have described Viddy as Instagram for video, including the tech writer for the New York Times, Paul Boutin. I like to think of Viddy as Video Twitter, with a hint of Instagram and a lot of iMovie. We help users without any editing chops at all create beautiful content then share it to any of their social networks.
SPN: In what ways have Viddy users been using the app thus far? Do you recommend an ideal use?
EW: Viddy users have done tons of things with the app. Panic at the Disco asked their fans to help create a crowdsourced Music Viddy. iJustine used Viddy to create a meme of #Mailboxing, where you put your head in a mailbox & shoot a Viddy. People spoof TV ads, create stop motion art, and Terrell Owens has been documenting his rehab.
SPN: If you can share, how many users do you have on Viddy?
EW: We have 800,000-plus Viddy users, but we’d love more!
SPN: Viddy is quite new, but what should we expect in the future as far as new features or growth?
EW: Viddy will be continuing to roll out new production packs in the coming months; we’re developing an iPad app and are working hard at making the overall experience for our current users as enjoyable as possible. In the last five months we have been trying to listen to our users, and bring them the features they’re looking for. Many more fun updates to come.
Here I am demonstarting Viddy (click the image below or visit viddy.com/video):
