Is it just me, or is YouTube consistently one step behind in web video trends? That is painfully puzzling considering they pretty much founded web video. Their newest feature, YouTube Rentals (Beta), may not be the first of its kind, but it could be something good for indie filmmakers. Essentially, the service allows you to sell views of your films.
YouTube Rentals is a new feature and still in the Beta stages but you can apply for use. Their landing page boasts the ability to “create the optimal rental experience” and “grow audience and revenue.” The future of film distribution is online so it’s worthwhile to explore these options as they begin to sprout up.