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Kevin William David

Stardust — Friends and fans sharing video reactions to Movies & TV.

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Mobile social app dedicated solely to interactive video discussion of movies, TV, and trailers. Users follow each other and share authentic 3-30 second reactions to everything they've seen, including what's out now, new trailers, and their all time favorites.

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Ryan Hoover
While a bit different, this reminds me of @caseyneistat's new upcoming app, Beme Panels.
Jake Konner
Maker
@caseyneistat @rrhoover Wow, that's pretty awesome, thanks Ryan! Means a lot coming from you. Would love to know Casey's inspiration and if it's similar to ours. Obviously there's a belief here that shorter form content can be more impactful for both creator and consumer. Ryan, considering you're the PH founder, is there anything else this reminds you of? Also, are you a big movie/tv guy?
Sophie Ashley
@caseyneistat @rrhoover @jakestilekonner Love the concept of hearing about news from peers. The thing with something like Beme Panels and Stardust is that it allows humans to have an outlet and be heard no matter their status or level of credentials. Whether it be for worldly matters or your passion of movies, there's a place to connect with others who share the same views or interests as you.
Christine Holland
Maker
@caseyneistat @rrhoover That's a really fascinating idea, thanks for sharing Ryan! One of the things we really hope to capture with Stardust is the power of hearing a recommendation or opinion from a friend, or someone who you trust & value their ideas. This leads to really genuine and meaningful conversation around movies & tv--something more personal than reading a review from a movie critic. I think this concept is really innovative for so many different topics of conversation. Casey-- having something like this for discussing news is an awesome idea!
Derek Forbes
Maker
@caseyneistat @rrhoover I just checked out Beme... yes, there are definitely some similarities in terms of the short form video medium. Stardust is all about movies & TV!
Geoff Plitt
Maker
@caseyneistat @rrhoover Thanks Ryan! Sounds like we're onto something.
Geoff Plitt
Maker
Hey folks! I'm Geoff Plitt, Lead Engineer of Stardust. Feel free to ask questions about the technical foundations of our app/backend, and follow me as "geoffplitt" on the app. Dust on!
Brandyn Morelli
@geoff_plitt Digging the app. How are you planning to handle video at scale? Are you currently running into any issues compression and storage?
Zach Nolan
Maker
@brandynmorelli Thanks for the kind words! We are currently using Cloudinary for all video/image storage and transformations. It's working out well so far, but as the user base continues to grow, we'll keep evaluating other options.
Geoff Plitt
Maker
@brandynmorelli @zachnolan Right, luckily we're not re-inventing video storage, compression, transcoding, streaming, etc-- our video partner Cloudinary is amazing at that. There are costs involved, but luckily the videos themselves are not really a scaling problem for us. The interesting scaling challenges arise elsewhere, for example the algorithm we use to populate the home/feed, Discover, and watching chains of reactions, are actually quite complicated/optimized.
Alex Maxwell
This is amazing! Democratizing critiques and reaction vids is a great idea. It provides a platform specifically to give audiences a voice and collect them all in one place. Well done guys!
Jake Konner
Maker
@alex_maxwell Thanks Alex! Really appreciate that. Is there anything you'd like to see that isn't currently there?
Derek Forbes
Maker
@alex_maxwell Yes... there's some talk about how a Rotten Tomatoes score can make or break a movie's fortunes. But a lot of people I know - particularly younger people - don't really relate to the opinions of the critics that drive RT scores. We think (and so do our users!) that to know what your friends think about a movie, and even better to see and hear about it from them, is much more powerful and compelling.
Jake Konner
Maker
Hello world! Jake Konner here, head of User Acquisition for Stardust. I'm a New York native who moved to LA to help launch Stardust to the global community of TV & Film fanatics . So pumped to hear your thoughts on Stardust and connect with you in the app. I'm here to answer any and all of your non-engineering questions, including product and growth related topics. Follow me on the app @JakeStileKonner to see my reactions to everything I'm watching, including IT, Peaky Blinders, GOT and much more!
Xavier Thomas

Stardust is a fantastic app! I usually write my movie/tv reviews (follow me on XJTNetwork on Facebook) but it can become too time-consuming when it comes to multiple viewings and daily obligations so I love that I can just push record and talk about a movie or show in a quick 30-second span.

There are so many good films and shows that people don't know about and an app like Stardust can help the average watcher know if it's worth the time and/or money to give away. I think people would rather hear opinions from different perspectives: critics, fans, and everyday casual watchers.

I was introduced to Stardust 5 months ago and I can't put it down. I love that I'm building my own digital journal of movies and shows. There's definitely a community forming of people with a like-minded love for movies/tv but a different point of view and that's important for people that want to have a discussion or weigh the pros and negatives of a particular movie/show. There's something for everyone! Be sure to check out Stardust and FOLLOW me! username: xavierjthomas.

Pros:

Opinions from different perspectives, build your own digital journal, connect with other movie/tv lovers, and get movie/tv suggestions.

Cons:

No cons but I do have a suggestion. Stardust allows tagging but I think adding a comment section and DM would help expand communication.

Andrew Purdy
As a movie lover and someone in the tech field, this kind of app has taken too long for someone to think up. Great job guys, what made you think of it?
Derek Forbes
Maker
@purdy34nghs To be honest, it started from being obsessed with Game of Thrones and wanting to talk about last night's episode with anyone that would listen. But we soon realized that aside from big event TV shows, movies is what people love to talk about even more.
Jake Konner
Maker
@purdy34nghs @derek_forbes Yeah those red wedding reaction videos on Youtube played a big part haha
Romain Violleau
Interesting app!
Jake Konner
Maker
@rviolleau Thanks so much Romain! Would love to hear your thoughts on the UX
Romain Violleau
@jakestilekonner Unfortunately, I'm an android guy so I can't try it but your video and the screens show a nice UX.
Jake Konner
Maker
@rviolleau We're actually on IOS and Android! But we're not available in all countries - where are you based?
Romain Violleau
@jakestilekonner I'm blind... I hadn't seen the android button ^^ I will try it and to answer your question, I'm french.
Jake Konner
Maker
@rviolleau haha no worries. Unfortunately we're not available in France yet :(
Bo Wang
Considering how popular some of the reaction youtube channels are. I am surprised there ain't many apps like this (or I have been missing out ..), good job guys!
Jake Konner
Maker
@bluemonk482 thanks Bo! You may find many of the popular Youtube channels you know actually on Stardust. Who are some of your favorites?
Matt Kerekes
Awesome concept. What's the community like?
Derek Forbes
Maker
@matt_kerekes So far, it's a lot of huge film fans as a result of a couple of big Youtube film reviewers spreading the word about Stardust. We're a little male-skewed right now, but working to address that by partnering with some female-oriented influencers and publishers.
Christine Holland
Maker
@matt_kerekes We've definitely got a lot of die-hard movie fans on the app-- it's fun to see what they have to say! We also were surprised to see a lot of former Viners come to our app. They really get creative with the reaction videos they share on the app--it's hilarious. We're excited to see how the community continues to grow, especially as we continue to role out new engagement-based features like @-mentions, comments & replies. We ultimately want Stardust to be the place where anyone and everyone can share what they're watching, what they think, and see what their friends have to say.
Hrant Arzumanyan
Good job @geoff_plitt ! I believe this tool is very innovative and fun.
Geoff Plitt
Maker
@hrantarzumanyan Thanks! Once you try it out, interested in your feedback or questons
Andrew Ertell
Interesting app! I like watching the reviews from the users.
Derek Forbes
Maker
@andrewertell There are some incredible gems out there. My favorite is when someone has literally just walked out of the cinema, and you see the raw emotion they're still experiencing. One guy posted a reaction to Logan, and his girlfriend was next to him in tears about the movie. Visceral stuff...
Christine Holland
Maker
Hey everyone! I'm Christine Holland, and I'm an Associate Product Manager for Stardust. This has been an exciting project to be a part of, and I'm eager to hear your thoughts about it! I'd be happy to answer any questions you have for us. Follow me on Stardust to see me cry about Disney movies: "christineh"
Dawn Erickson
I've been having so much fun with the app. I initially just joined to have a platform to get my movie opinions out there, but it's the community aspect that's really surprised me. I keep checking my feed all day to see who's talking about what and who's responding to what I've said. It's starting to become as much of an addiction as watching movies themselves...
Jake Konner
Maker
@expletivedleted Thanks Dawn! What do you think should be some of our next features?
Dawn Erickson
@jakestilekonner I'm def looking forward to video replies and comments to keep conversations going more easily. It'd also be great if the hashtags we used in the text overlays actually did categorize reactions in some way that's accessible. A bunch of us participate in WayBackWhensday every week or are doing a series of reactions (top 100, James Bond, Disney, etc). Having a way to see those reactions fit together would rock!
Christine Holland
Maker
@expletivedleted I love that idea!
Eric Zuckerman
I really dig the feature that allows you to have posters of your favorite movies in your profile. Makes it so easy to follow others with taste that intrigues you. Loving how this app is growing.
Christine Holland
Maker
@ericthezuck Glad to hear you like our Favorites feature! We've got big plans for this-- we can help connect you to other users with similar favorites, recommend new movies & shows (and reactions to watch!) based on your tastes--the possibilities are endless really :)
Jake Konner
Maker
@ericthezuck @christine_holland Eric - what do you currently have listed as your favorites?
Eric Zuckerman
@christine_holland @jakestilekonner Casablanca, Rear Window, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Tootsie are some of them. Check my page for more.
Cliff Wang
do you guys plan on adding captions to videos? Not the captions that go with the video post but actual captions of what the user in the video is saying? Would be nice to watch and hear these reactions while in a place where you can't have the volume up (like while at work haha).
Derek Forbes
Maker
@cliff_wang89 Maybe you should come work for Stardust... then you can watch reactions with the volume on all day long :-)
Candice Eckert

Stardust also organizes weekly contests where the best review wins a Fandango gift card, that's a really cool way to keep the community active !

Pros:

Love to see people's reaction to upcoming movies, the reviews are really useful and often funny.

Cons:

No cons, keep up the good work !

Dawn Erickson

I have a movie addiction, and I love that I have a place to talk about them where I can connect and converse with other people who share my addiction. It's really fun being creative and thinking about reactions and seeing the fun videos other users come up with!

Pros:

I love having a platform to talk about movies

Cons:

N/A. Nothing else like this right now

Leon Newnham
About time a reaction based app emerged, excited to see where this goes. Well done guys!
Jake Konner
Maker
@kangaroo99 Thanks Leon! Do you have any favorite reactions you've seen in the app? Link it here!
Cliff Wang
Love this app so much! If you're like me and you look towards reviews from friends, randoms, and whomever before deciding to watch a movie...this app is a must!
Christine Holland
Maker
@cliff_wang89 Happy to hear you're enjoying Stardust! That's what we hoped to capture with this app-- we believe hearing opinions from your friends on movies & tv is much more meaningful than a review from a movie critic. It's a lot more personal!
Kristina Onyschuk
Fantastic app
Jake Konner
Maker
@kristinaonyschuk Thanks so much Kristina! Would love to hear more of your thoughts, both good and bad!