Once just a revenue and career gamble, the world of web series creation is now becoming a vital life force all its own for emerging filmmakers, actors, producers and writers. Not only are careers getting started both in front of and behind the camera, but established celebrity participation and corporate endorsement of web series creation is on the rise.
Are you still resisting understanding the vast exposure the internet can provide your film career?
Yes, there is a big web entertainment world out there… but let’s set the stage for all of you filmmakers, producers, writers and actors looking for a start in the entertainment industry:
Here’s a little fact sheet to consider about today’s Web Entertainment industry:
The web entertainment industry includes original programming of every conceivable genre and classification (and a few yet to be defined) known to the established mainstream industry. Action, animation, cult, documentary, drama, experimental, exploitation, fantasy, horror, informational, LGBT, musical, noir, reality, sci-fi and talk original series can all be found on the internet. And then there are the comedies - situation, sketch, screwball, stand-up, sex, satire, parody and some really twisted blends!
Corporations as diverse as Ikea, Lexus, Altoids and Spherion are all getting involved in the creation of “branded” web series. Jaguar, Kodak, Verizon Wireless and Mountain Dew are coming to the playing field with financial support via “product integration.”
And who’s contributing content exclusively to the web?
Academy Award-nominees like Michael Lerner (BARTON FINK) and Robert Forster (JACKIE BROWN); Emmy Award-winners/nominees like Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”), Megan Mullally (“Will & Grace”), Ed Begley, Jr. (“St. Elsewhere”) and Illeana Douglas (“Six Feet Under”); television beloveds Justine Bateman (“Family Ties”), Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”), Neil Patrick Harris (“Doogie Howser, M.D.); cult/horror superstars like Robert Englund, comedians like Will Ferrell and today’s hottest established talent like Zach Galifianakis (THE HANGOVER), Rosario Dawson (SIN CITY, SEVEN POUNDS); a host of the coolest and brightest new stars (Brendan Bradley, Dingani Beza, Nathan Fillion, Mark Gantt, Rachael Hip-Flores, Nicole Pacent); acclaimed Hollywood film directors like David Lynch (BLUE VELVET) and Robert Townsend (HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE), impressive new animators, and the list goes on and on…
The mainstream, broadcast world has warmed up to buying and adapting web original series for the more traditional form of exhibition they offer. Catch Lisa Kudrow’s former web series original, WEB THERAPY, on Showtime!
The coveted “Best Short Film” prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival did not go to an independently- or film school- made short film. A web-designed short took top honors.
The Television Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2009 recognized web series DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-A-LONG BLOG with a “Prime Time” Emmy Award (Dr. Horrible beat out the likes of “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Daily Show,” “30 Rock” and Bruce Springsteen for the honor!)
The world has found its first American “webberty” in actor Felicia Day of the web series THE GUILD.
Whether you are a budding filmmaker looking for a place to start, a smart producer looking for an arena to play in, an actor looking for a career start and a way to get in front of thousands of viewers or if you are just interested in learning more about the best web series out there, our June 21st Web Entertainment seminar is going to be completely invaluable to you!
It is high time to turn a brighter light on an end of the entertainment industry that all too frequently escapes the attention it deserves.
Ticket Prices: $12 Member, $15 Student/Senior, $20 General. Advance tickets are available on www.fandango.com