Student technology startup to support independent filmmakers

Scott Starr

Will Low, nursing junior, and Brandon Silver, computer science junior work on developing the application for the Pinecone LLC online video platform. The collaboration includes students from OU, Oklahoma State University, University of Central Oklahoma and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Pinecone website will be a forum for independent filmmakers to display their work.

Students from OU, Oklahoma State University, the University of Central Oklahoma and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are working together to build a platform for independent, television and film producers to get noticed.

The new technology startup Pinecone LLC sprouted up just south of Edmond’s University of Central Oklahoma campus, and the idea for it started in high school. Co-founder Greg Stamm said he met the Pinecone project manager in Key Club at Edmond North High School. Stamm and Jacob Bennett came up with the idea of starting a technology company. Thus, Pinecone was born.

The creative team at Pinecone is developing an online application for upcoming filmmakers and producers to place their work before an audience. The web application will be similar in set up to YouTube, with the major difference being Pinecone’s content, said William Low, chief marketing officer and nursing junior.

“It’s an application focused on the promotion of up-and-coming filmmakers and creative teams,” Low said.

Independent filmmakers will be able to upload their films to the Pinecone website for viewing. Viewers would be able to select what they want to watch from a wide variety as the site gains notoriety and use, Low said.

“Videos will be voted on by the Pinecone users to choose which ones will be aired during prime time so that the ‘best’ films will receive the attention they deserve,” Low said.

The prime time slot will be streamed live on Pinecone’s channel as a featured work, he said.

While oriented around promotion for independent film producers and writers, Pinecone also will have innovative opportunities for actors, Low said. Each individual will have an account that potentially can include a résumé and other personal information about past experience and work history. Pinecone will function as a collaborative community promoting producers, writers and performers throughout the industry, allowing them to communicate and view posted works, Low said.

Pinecone is intended to launch at the end of the month, Stamm said.

Colby Frederick

Colby is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Life & Arts Reporter.