FSW: You are also involved with video production. At the moment web video mostly repurpose existing video. How do you see web video in the future?

Hillman: I've always been into shooting, directing, and editing. I don't believe in repurposing anything for the web…it's disrespectful to both the medium and the audience. The web is unique and arguably the most powerful medium of our time…smart companies are aware of this and look for ways to communicate their message, and seek ways to better use this medium. I just started writing a new book that is all about this…it's clearly my focus - web video. Not broadcast, I haven't had a TV for 15 years and will never have one.

FSW: Flash Video gives you a whole new level of interactivity. How do you use these new possibilities?

Hillman: I think we did a good job controlling video and preloads of heavy video files in the sideshowcreative site and about two years ago I did a little video promo for my last book "MTIV" that is non-linear. I took the 9 cuts of a 45 second promo and exported each clip to a common folder, then scripted up a random player…the user can choose to watch the promo in it's linear form or hit the random button and have it play back in a very different order. The story is the same, for the most parts, but the way the user feels about that story changes depending on the playback order. I'm into non-linear film making of Lynch's Mullholland Drive and Soderhiems "The Limey"…which obviously aren't non-linear but point towards it. I also did a cool split screen interview for Rolling Stone of the band Girls Against Boys which was inspired by Mike Figgus' "Timecode". "Timecode" isn't really interactive, but merits a mention anyway. All of this will be in the new book.

FSW: You are working with high-profile clients, for instance Adobe, Yahoo! and AOL. Can you share with us their vision for delivering video over broadband lines?

Hillman: The situation is in a constant state of controlled chaos…as it should be. The big companies have internal think tanks of some of the smartest people out there and even they can't keep up. What I tell all of them is that you have to tap into the spirits of Jobs and Woz, cocky and brash and pounding away in a garage, or Frank Gehry who decided that buildings don't need to be square with pointy roofs, or Calatrava who's bridges and buildings shine with the undecorated beauty of pure function. All of these people have a blind spot that blocks out focus groups and to a certain extent blocks out the need to follow. They see the same trends that we all are aware of, but they respond differently to them. Ultimately, they all want to change the world. In boxing terms we'd say they're not afraid to throw the right. Which is the most powerful punch, but leaves you most vulnerable.
Big companies work counter to this. They cover up and counter punch. They see what the opponent is doing and react. My job is to remind them to throw the right. To tap into that same spirit of invention and inspiration that - in most cases - was responsible for their founding. Then make that spirit visual.