Creating Content for the Web
Web series creators/producers Michael Ajakwe & Reggie Gaskins stopped by Inside Urban Hollywood to discuss the opportunities that lie ahead in “the new frontier”. Topics ranged from ways to join the Writer’s Guild by through web series to the challenges of writing for the web as opposed to TV and Film.
A new medium has emerged for aspiring filmmakers, especially those looking to get their foot inside the gate. Best of all, you don’t need the backing from a studio for distribution or financing. You don’t need to lure a big named talent just to shoot. All you need is a dream, a camera, and an internet connection.
As the convergence of online and TV draws closer, the web has surfaced as the new frontier to distribute content. Susan Boyle’s “I Dream a Dream” video from Britain’s Got Talent garnered over 100 million views on youtube. Imagine her revenue if she were paid $1 for each view. How about just 10 cents for each view? How about just one penny?
At this time, there’s more diversity on the web than there’s ever been on Television. Many filmmakers are grabbing their anonymous friend’s resources and becoming proactive with their aspirations, creating content for the web, more formerly known as webisodes. Successful TV shows that started out as web series include: Quarterlife, In the Motherhood, Secret Girlfriend, Undercover Brother, Little Bush, and I Wanna Work for Diddy.
There are many benefits to creating content for the web over its more long-form cousin. Since the final product won’t be put up on a big screen, viewers are a lot more forgiving of the production value. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to create your web series. Gaskins suggests no more than $10,000, at the most to create anywhere from 5 to 20 episodes. Both he and Ajakwe, sold subscriptions to their content for only $1. It’s a long process, but they’re slowly recouping their budget.
Listen to the entire interview:
