What is a Web Series?

One of the discussions that will continue to occur on this blog, and many other places, is what constitutes a web series?   When does online get placed into the category of web series?

Here are a few ways to differentiate:

• Created specifically for the internet.  (Family Guy on Hulu is not a web series)
• Recurring/episodic

A short list, I know.

This creates a very large umbrella for content to fall under.  But if you think about it, so does the categorization “TV Show”.  And honestly, that is still one of the best comparisons.  There are reality shows, documentaries, scripted drama, DIY shows, sitcoms, and much more.  As long as it is on TV and recurs, it’s a TV show.  As long as it is online and recurs, it’s a web series.

Obviously there are smaller categories under this umbrella, but for our purposes this seems most applicable.  Feel free to debate me if you disagree.

On this point, I want to show something that some may not consider a web series, but by the above definition, it clearly is.  This is a great little show that aims to explain complex concepts in a manner in which people can clearly understand it.  It is a great series and incredibly educational.  It’s a DIY show, similar to anything seem on HGTV.  Therefore, Video Copilot‘s tutorials can also be considered a web series, or any tutorial series.

However, the video brings up a great point I will touch on in the near future.  How do web series and social media work together?  Is Youtube a network that broadcasts a series, or is at a form of advertising for a series?  This question is much more complex than it seems on the surface.

Prom Queen DVD Giveaway

Our first contest of many.

I have a brand new copy of Prom Queen’s DVD, courtesy of their marketing department, and want to give it away to a reader.  I want to make sure it winds up in good hands, so I think some trivia is in order.

What two actors from Prom Queen have also had roles in Big Fantastic’s latest project?

First one to leave a comment with the correct answer will win the DVD.

Coma

I actually came across it via youtube’s Web Series spotlight.  Another great tool for finding new content.  Starring Michael Madsen and hosted on Crackle (a Sony company). It is a very unique looking show.  Lots of style and grit.  If you subscribe to Wired, you may have received a Blu-Ray DVD with some Coma content on it.   I’ll have to go “acquire” that issue to see exactly what it is.  You can see more here. Not sure where the money is coming for this one, is it Sony themselves?  If anyone has more info about this show, please let me know.

Sanctuary for All

How many people watched Sci-Fi’s new series Sanctuary?

How many people knew that was originally a web-series?

I’ll admit that was news to me.  If one judges success in this medium as the ability to move into other traditional mediums, Sanctuary is by far the most successful web series to date.  Quarterlife is the only one that has crossed mediums in the same way, and it’s best not to discuss what happened there.  What is truly amazing is the production value of the original web series.  Something not seen very frequently.  Granted, it helps having a decent budget.  What this represents, in my opinion, is more important than the actual rating success of the show.  This demonstrates even further that the internet can be used as a farming system to grow creativity, shows and individuals.  I hope this is a trend that continues, but I also hope it is not the final destiny for this medium.  A farming system is only one facet of what is possible.

The Sci-Fi series remains very true to the original series, with a little restructing, reshooting, etc.

At this point, I’m still catching up on information regarding the show, so if you followed the series before it made the transition to Sci-Fi, let me know.  I’d love to hear from some original fans.

Here is the first chapter of the original web-series.  The channel has all kinds of Sanctuary goodies:

Prom Queen DVD

Big Fantastic released the DVD version of their web series Prom Queen earlier this week. The DVD contains Prom Queen and Prom Queen: Summer Heat.

It can be found at most online stores that sell DVDs and CDs.
Amazon always has good deals.

I’m interested to see the sales numbers.  DVDs are a very popular means for web series to make money on the back end.  However, when all the episodes are online for free or for download, how successful will DVD sales be?

Gemini Division

Is anyone still watching this show?

Private High School Musical

Redband Industries has put out a new web series with 60 Frames. Check it out:

What are your thoughts?

I’ll wait another couple episodes…err…periods…to formulate a full opinion and write a review.

Sn4tchbckl3r Auction Ended

Ebay Auction

$405.  Not too shabby.

This clearly demonstrates this show has a strong following who are willing to actively get involved, including monetarily  I’m interested to see what happens next.

Hooking Up

HBO decided that it would be a great idea to collect the major youtube stars and put them all in a web series, Hooking Up.  The first two episodes premiered today.  How did it turn out?  See for yourself:

I’ll give a full review as the show continues to come out. At this point though, if I had to pick a Jessica Rose web series to watch, it’d be the one that feels too fast, not too slow. And I’d rather see ads for H&M, then be constantly bombarded with lessons on how to use Facebook. But let’s not jump to conclusions just yet.

Sorority Forever

Big Fantastic‘s latest venture seems to be picking up momentum.

Sorority Forever

I am sure you recognize Jessica (don’t call me Lee) Rose as one of the leads.  Slowly but surely, she is becoming an iconic figure for this medium, starring in LG15, Sorority Forever and the upcoming shows Blood Cell and Hooking Up.  Love her or hate her, you can’t talk about this medium without discussing her.  History will always point to her as the original star.  Her talent can be seen in Sorority Forever and often times outshines her lesser known costars.

The show is pulling decent viwership on Myspace, 50-200k per episode.  The numbers from theWB.com are harder to determine, but I would not expect anything astronomical.  It is only the second show on theWB.com born from the medium (the other being Pink).

On Myspace, the show’s following is growing and is receiving decent reviews from its viewers.  many of them wishing the show to be a 30 minute television show.  Other reviews are not as positive.

In my opinion, the show often times feels like it is trying too hard.  it’s trying to be too dramatic, too edgy, too Prom Queen.  It is definitely eye-catching and entertaining.   It also has a lot of production value (the joy of having a studio and a named director attached).  The premise is solid, and one that Big Fantastic has had success with in the past.  Sometimes though, it feels like Gossip Girl on Adarol.  My other concern, is how often they are releasing new episodes.  Every weekday seems overly frequent.  Granted, each episode weighs in at a minor 3 minutes each.  Personally, I prefer longer episodes less frequently.  A weekly schedule, or twice a week at most.  Therefore, if a viewer goes on vacation or gets busy for a week, they have fewer episodes to catch up on.  It’s less overwhelming to have 3 ten minute episodes to catch up on then 10 three minute episodes.  It’s purely psychological.  If viewers feel they have fallen too far behind they will simply not tune in anymore.

What are your thoughts?

Although this show may not be perfection, it is clear that it is helping bring this medium to a larger audience who would not have seen it otherwise.  In my opinion, that is a very important detail not to be overlooked.  Warner Bros. involvement with web series is growing, and will hopefully continue to bring fresh and original content to the web.

Never underestimate the power of a giant.