Runway Gen-2: The Future of Video Creation?

The world of content creation is about to change, and it's all thanks to the latest A.I. technology from Runway. I personally discovered Runway Gen-1 back in October of 2022, and in no time, there have been massive updates! We now have the pleasure of discussing Runway Gen-2, a web-based program with tons of features new to the world of video creation!

• Generate custom portraits from text

• Remove or remix background from video (super cool)

• Transform things from within an image, using text

• Generate an image from scratch, using text

• Expand an image, like the opposite of cropping, creating what may not have been photographed

• Generate 3D textures from text (for AR experiences)

Conversations like this are hard to write about, as the evolution and possibilities are so exciting. Creators are already creating magnificent videos that traditionally would have taken years of experience or tens of thousands of dollars to produce. However this tech says the days of being limited by time, money, and resources are behind us. Whether you're a storyteller, a filmmaker or just someone who wants to share their experiences with the world, Runway Gen-2 is a tool you may want to try out!

Access to Runway Gen-2 is currently limited. You'll need to sign up to join a waitlist for the program, and broad access will be provided in the coming weeks. It's a tool that promises to revolutionize the way we create and share videos, and it's a sign of what's to come in the world of AI and content creation, don't pass up on it!

It is our pleasure to announce this week's Digital Hustlers of the Week: Imani Ellis and Clifford Taylor IV! These two incredible individuals are making waves in the creative economy and sports industry, respectively, and inspiring millions along the way.

First up, we have the CEO and Founder of the Creative Collective NYC, Imani Ellis. She is a true force to be reckoned with in the creative world. She has dedicated herself to empowering and uplifting creatives, especially those from underrepresented communities. CultureCon has been a huge success, a conference attracting big names such as Issa Rae, Spike Lee, Stacy Abrams and Lena Waithe. She has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Essence, and Black Enterprise. Imani's impact extends far beyond the success of CultureCon, as she is a champion for the creative community and has done so while working as the Vice President of Communications at NCUniversal. Her dedication to empowering creatives is truly inspiring and makes her a true digital hustler.

Next, we have Clifford, a digital hustler who has made a name for himself in the sports and social media world. His journey began when he walked onto the Florida Gators football team as a tight end in the Summer of 2019. Upon graduation, he won a Super Bowl as the design specialist with the LA Rams. It was an emotional celebration last week as the voice behind the viral sound "A Win is a Win" crossed over 1 million followers on TikTok and 44.3 million total likes. Represented by Raymond Representation, he has performed well in the creator economy with big brands like GLD Jewelry, Adidas, Gatorade, EA Sports & more! Clifford is a true digital hustler, always finding new ways to make an impact and elevate those around him. He has recently begun uploading on YouTube, so be sure to subscribe and follow his journey!

Again, we congratulate Imani and Clifford for being this week's Digital Hustlers of the Week. Their stories remind us that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Be sure to follow their journeys and continue to be inspired by their work.

YouTube continues to fight for Creator's Content

Podcasts have become a rapidly growing format that allows creators to share their message and connect with their audience in new ways. In lue of the rising demand for this long-form content style, YouTube has recently opened a dedicated hub for users to browse strictly podcasts and will also allow creators to upload as a podcast, instead of as a traditional video.

That makes a huge difference, as previously YouTube's algorithm did not properly distinguish between the style difference, which would reflect how often that video would be served and to who. With there being thousands of videos being uploaded daily, getting your video onto someone's 'suggested page' is like winning the lottery. This differentiation, however, will breed its own algorithm to better help support creators build their brand without having to build a separate channel from scratch dedicated to the podcast, which is what most creators were beginning to do.

1. Open Youtube Studio and click “Create" in the top right hand corner

2. Select "New Podcast"

3. Decide if you are uploading brand new content (skip step 4) or converting an old playlist into a 'podcast' on the platform

4. If converting, hover over the playlist, select the 3 dots, and select "Set as Podcast"

5. Fill out the available fields, upload a thumbnail and select create

Podcast playlists are eligible for new features such as podcast badges, official search cards and being featured on the homepage of YouTube Podcasts. Podcasts will also be available in the YouTube Music app as well. Do you have a podcast? Will you be looking to convert over to YouTube?

Duolingo embeds A.I. to help us learn a new language

The largest language learning application Duolingo, has taken a big step forward in helping language learners achieve their goals with the introduction of Duolingo Max, a new subscription tier that includes two brand-new features powered by the latest and most powerful generative AI technology from OpenAI, GPT-4.

The creator economy has made it possible for content creators to reach audiences all over the world, regardless of language barriers. Platforms like YouTube even allow you to dub your videos in other languages, making it easier for them to connect with a global audience. With this borderless nature of technology, learning a language is more important than ever, and Duolingo Max provides a fun and effective way to do so with 2 new features: Explain my Answer and Roleplay.

Explain My Answer offers learners the chance to get explanations as to why their answers were right or wrong. Often when you get questions right on quizzes you move on, this will provide more detail to ensure true comprehension. Taking it a step further than the question itself, you'll be able to ask for further examples which will be produced on demand! This feature is truly why we wanted to write about this feature in the newsletter! This integration is going to change the way applications provide service for several years to come!

Roleplay allows learners to practice real-world conversational skills with in-app characters in different scenarios such as ordering food, asking for directions and discussing future plans. This is extremely powerful and one of the beauties of 'conversational AI'. We often try our hand with flashcards or a program, but to then have a regional accurate conversation in your own privacy is remarkable.

Duolingo Max is available in Spanish and French for English speakers on iOS, with plans to expand to more languages and platforms in the future. The AI-powered features are evaluated and reviewed by Duolingo's team of curriculum experts and designers to ensure accuracy and effectiveness. This feature is slowly rolling out over time, so be sure to make an account and check the shop tab to see if you're eligible to upgrade!

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