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Four Reasons to Produce Your Own Web Series
When I set out to write and produce MY BITCHY WITCHY PARIS VACATION, everyone asked why I wanted to launch a web series. My initial response was, “Because I can!” Producing a web series is relatively inexpensive and accessible, and I knew it would stretch my creativity. Instead of waiting around for something to happen with my scripts, I could jump in and start having some fun! However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized I had many reasons. All of them fell under four main categories:
1. Empowerment: From the moment I decided to create Bitchy Witchy, I stopped waiting. I didn’t need someone to OK my script, hire me, or otherwise give me a break. Producing a web series is a lot of work. But because I got to set the goal, I also got to ensure that my efforts were in alignment with my goal. I discovered I love producing. I also love owning and controlling my own material, not to mention the feeling of controlling my own destiny.
2. Growth: When I embarked on Bitchy Witchy, I underwent a steep learning curve. My director Kartik Singh and my cinematographer Nicolas Bilder helped guide me through the steps of pre-production, production, and post-production. Without them, I could not have made the web series I did. But suppose you’re more experienced than I was. In that case, a web series could give you a chance to try something you’ve never done before. If you’re an actor, you could direct. If you’re a writer, you could edit the series. A web series gives you freedom to experiment. As Nicolas Bilder put it, “If it works, great! If it doesn’t, we won’t release it.”
3. Exposure: As an American filmmaker living in Paris, I found the promise of the Internet’s global reach most attractive. Bitchy Witchy showcases my work to potential partners in the US, France, and elsewhere. From the earliest fundraising efforts through post-production, I kept reaching out. Bitchy Witchy may be the first web series to have a production team that literally circles the globe. Composer Rob Gokee and consulting producers Angelo Bell and Philippa Burgess are in Los Angeles. Our editor, Dale Trott, is in Melbourne, Australia. Our actors and the rest of our crew are scattered throughout the US, Switzerland, Austria, and France. Our special preview premiere and cast party—possibly another first!—will happen online on www.reelgrok.com.
4. Profit: In order to move ahead and actually get the web series done and seen, I let go of the idea of making money. I reasoned that creating the content and building the audience would eventually lead to indirect financial compensation. It’s working out that way. A handful of distributors and producers have reached out to me, testing the waters for possible sponsorship opportunities. In addition, I keep receiving invitations to teach, give interviews, and speak at events, and I’ve seen an increase in inquiries about my writing services. Of course, having been through the experience once now and having learned how to do it, my next web series will include a profit motive.
(For an interesting take on how one web series producer found a sponsor, read this recent New York Times article.)
What about you? If you have a web series or are considering making one, please add your reasons for jumping into the fray in the comments section below. Don’t forget to include your role in the web series!
12 Comments
Reader Comments (12)
Fascinating story, Alexis!
I love what you said in Reason #4 about letting go of the notion of making money. You're the epitome of being directed and motivated by passion versus your purse! Like a great many solo professionals have discovered -- if you follow your passion, the money will follow.
Melanie
31DBBB participant
Thanks, Melanie! That's what I'm betting on -- passion first, followed by money.
wow - learned something else new so early in the morning!
I like your thoughts on empowerment. Just like starting my own business when I finally got fed up with working for others and waiting for rejection letters. :-)
Wow - I learned something here! I don't know anything about script writing, so I'm finding your posts quite interesting. And I will admit to being a bit *jealous* of you living in Paris. That's a dream of mine.
I like how you just went for what you wanted, trusting the process. That can be a hard thing to do, but it's working out as you'd planned. Congrats!
Great job on the list post, by the way. :)
Great idea and very interesting list post! You know, I just recently saw a brief clip from Jaleel White (Urkel from Family Matters) about this same thing.
He said he didn't have to wait for someone to produce his idea, he could just do it himself on the web.
Jeanine
Thanks for the comments everyone!
Inspiring post. Thanks for putting another thing on my "to do" list. I look forward to learning more from you.
Best, Leisa
31DBB Challenge cohort
@itsleisa and @littlewordgods - twitter
I ditto Melanie's comments! So many people think the writing is what makes the money and it *might* but it's not where the bulk of it usually comes from.
Deb / 31DBBB
I've scored (and am scoring) so many different webseries not because of the money, because right now there isn't any, but the for potential the medium has in the way we watch and create. Television is my medium of choice, and webseries are "independent television" in the same way that "independent film" helps filmmakers break into features. It's exciting to watch characters grow and change over the course of a series, because I try to do the same thing musically. Great post, Alexis.
I should disclose that I'm Alexis' composer for "Bitchy-Witchy," so I might be a little biased toward her writing and showrunning abilities;)
I agree Rob. The medium is exciting and challenging, and it's definitely changing the way we watch and create. Thanks for stopping by. But now get back to work! You've got some scoring to do! (CAN'T WAIT, CAN'T WAIT, CAN'T WAIT!)
For anyone wanting a preview of Rob's work, you can hear it on the
BITCHY WITCHY TRAILER
Or on his latest project, SOLO THE SERIES.
Yep, versatile and talented are two words that spring to my mind, too!
Thanks for an inspiring post. I have had this idea on the brain for awhile. Now I feel pushed a little further to make this happen. You make it sound creative, fruitful and exciting with opportunities. I needed a push! So thanks!
Hi IntuitiveJamie,
Glad the post was helpful to you! Good luck in your own creative endeavors and thanks for commenting.
Alexis