This past October I attended ConvergeSouth, an annual blogging and tech conference in Greensboro, NC. This year’s conference saw the addition of a film festival capping the 2-day event. I was surprised to recognize Amani Channel, director of the short film Twins. His submission won first place in the non-fiction category. Perhaps more important, is Channel’s ability to garner a considerable number of views beyond the screening venue. Anyone not in attendance can watch the film at their leisure, because Twins and other videos in his portfolio are available online. Channel, who’s worked in television professionally since 1997, boasts a background in broadcast journalism, tv writing and production, as well as video production. My Urban Report is the name of his video podcast series, and the title of his multimedia blog that “explores urban news, media issues, and [his] personal experiences.”

The growth of the internet and web 2.0 tools has subsequently left some in the television, film and music industries reeling. Musical artists like Soulja Boy and Saul Williams have demonstrated they can be successful promoters of their own work. Artists are increasingly abandoning traditional corporate advertising and distribution practices. Grassroots marketing via personal weblogs and sites like Myspace, Facebook, Last.fm, and Blip.tv are proving effective for “ordinary” individuals, as well as big name talent. Amani Channel, and others taking advantage of new media tools, represent the personal media trend that’s sweeping the world. Channel appears to understand this notion of personal publishing and marketing. At a time when traditional media is being uprooted, he typifies the seamless convergence of old and new.