Animated Debate

If you can type, you can make movies -- or so says the new text-to-video start-up xtra normal, which has created a way for anyone to quickly (and cheaply) create an animated video to promote a particular cause or point-of-view. [Think Wordpress meets South Park.] The video animation templates offered by the start-up are the latest entry into the fast-growing, short-form video space -- and hold promise for nonprofits and other cause groups that are cash-strapped and video-challenged.

Here's one example, referred to us via DoSomething.org. Made on the xtra normal platform, it urges a more peaceful debate around the construction of a proposed mosque and spiritual center in lower Manhattan:

Of course, as soon as this was made, other (longer, bolder and alternative) versions were released, as well. Here's one of them:

How does it work? Upload your script and choose your actor from a range of English-speaking animals, John Doe types and Sarah Palin look-alikes; the templates do the rest.

What to say? The fight for Good v. Evil is getting animated, indeed. (wince)

Let us know what you think.

-- Marcia Stepanek