Provo loves YouTube

PROVO -- What would it take to make Provo's Channel 17 studios a YouTube Space? That's what Mayor John Curtis had on his mind when he flew to Los Angeles for an afternoon of fact-finding and meeting with YouTube leaders.

LA is the flagship of YouTube Spaces and is known around the world. There are also large YouTube Spaces in London and Tokyo. Provo would be on the small side, but certainly not the least of YouTube Space users.

'Provo is a major player on YouTube,' Curtis said. 'We were sitting with groups of YouTube people and they said 'everything you hear is about Provo.''

Provo is about third in the world per capita for YouTube submissions, trailing behind LA and London, according to recent reports.

What Curtis found in LA was much bigger than he ever imagined. A full on production studio with pre- and post-production rooms, green screen capability, sound and recording rooms, meeting rooms and more. Even more important, it's free to the public if you have a YouTube channel.

'Once we got there we found they have a large scale production company,' Curtis said. 'We expected to find something less.'

With the entrepreneurial spirit that is here and the explosion of music, art, theater and film that is happening in Provo and along the Wasatch Front, Curtis feels a YouTube Space is just what the public needs.

Blake Romney, director of media services and Channel 17 said it would be really cool if something like a YouTube Space happened in Provo.

'We are in a unique position with a city station,' Romney said. 'With Google Fiber and a YouTube Space that would put Provo on the map.'

Romney said, 'We have a lot of the tools in this city already for a smooth transition. It would spark a lot of creativity.'

The space is small, but theoretically Channel 17 could already provide recording space, production space and a green wall. 'If someone wanted to do a talk show or still video we can accommodate some of that already,' Romney said.

Curtis would like to bring creative minds together to come up with something that would work by utilizing talents, keeping costs low, and showcasing what great things are going on in the area. Having two larger universities to draw from is also a plus. High tech industry and incubator start-up companies all can use something like a YouTube Space.

'People want to be communicated with in short clips,' Curtis said. 'We want to be able to give people information the way they like it.'

The theme of a YouTube Space is to Learn, Share and Create. Part of the learning in LA is the various workshops offered in producing and making your own film and programs. YouTube provides the opportunity to share and connect with other YouTube creators. The space is provided to bring it all together and create the next best video for YouTube.

'We are going to report what we've found,' Curtis said. 'Next is to discuss what's the best way to meet the objectives.'

Curtis said Channel 17 studios has just about everything at a much smaller scale. 'Our desire is to make sure we're maximizing the tools we have to communicate with residents.'

While the city hasn't thought of opening up Channel 17 studios to the public, that could be a part of the discussion, Curtis said.

A YouTube Space is still a way off for Provo, but don't be surprised to see it on one of the mayor's lists or see some committee formed to investigate the local potential.

'It would bring more people to Provo and spur economic growth,' Romney said.

'With the great music scene we have around here, we have the tools to share that with the world,' Curtis said.