Do It. Submit a video to the Guggenheim's YouTube Play.

There's no doubt about it--YouTube has changed the world. It's changed the way we use the internet, the way we interact visually, the way we live our lives. In the simplest terms, it's done all this by having given everyone the ability to be a filmmaker, for better or worse.

But the Guggenheim Museum is thinking for the better. Inspired by the fact that YouTube allows for creativity and creation regardless of budget, background, experience, etc., the museum is presenting "YouTube Play," a global online initiative in search of the most innovative and original videos out there. They're looking for what's next in the online video world, and what kinds of creative opportunities the rise of YouTube has brought to this generation.

So let's show them what you've got! Got a creative video from the past two years? Be it a music video, narrative work, animation, documentary--anything original--you can submit it now to youtube.com/play. From there, 200 videos will be selected to go up for judging by a select group of experts, then pared down to 20 to be shown at a special event in October. But hurry--you've only got until July 31st to submit your video. Can't wait to see the submissions!

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. Animal Collective's "ODDSAC" at the Arclight.

Animal Collective's "Merriweather Post Pavilion" was nearly unanimously chosen as the top record of 2009 by music critics and fans everywhere, but the experimental rock band isn't taking a break for 2010. Not only were they recently invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NYC's Guggenheim Museum with two site-specific live performances, but now they'll be touring the U.S. with director Danny Perez for their unique visual album, ODDSAC.

ODDSAC is, well, as odd as it sounds. At least, that's what we can gather from this trailer:

Knowing Animal Collective, it's sure to be daring and creative, to say in the least, and probably filled with mind-blowing tunes. And in any case, the band and Perez will all be on hand at the two screenings at the Arclight Hollywood (in the Dome!) on March 22nd, so you can try asking them to decipher it for you. One screening will be at 7pm, the other at 9pm, and tickets are only $15. Definitely a one-of-a-kind experience, and likely to sell out.

And if you don't think you can handle taking on this film/visual album in the theater, the DVD with extras will be released on June 29.

-- Chau Tu