Over the past few years the web has become a major entertainment
hub for both everyday people and major Hollywood studios. This is mostly due to
the low production costs and instant worldwide distribution. In a matter of
minutes your content can be viewed my millions of people and help launch or reestablish
a career.
First I want to take a look at those who have used the web
as a means of creating a career for themselves. Back on October 17, 2010 three
friends got together and filmed the first episode of what would become Epic Meal Time. They took an idea of
creating the most ridiculous food combinations and mixing in a little Canadian stereotype
and created a hit show. Each episode earns millions of views, merchandise options
like T-shirts, flavored maple syrup and bacon flavored spreads. The popularity
of their channel earned them appearances on late night TV and a live show tour
that typically sells out in minutes. Most recently Epic Meal Time moved its show from YouTube to the Internet TVstation Revision 3 who was actually just purchased by Discovery Communications.
Another great example is how Freddie Wong has taken
advantage of YouTube and how it has helped create his career. FreddieW uploads
videos showcasing his and partner Brandon Laatsch Visual Effects abilities.
Freddie and Brandon’s work has brought them opportunities to work with
companies like Microsoft, Electronic Arts and McDonald’s.
Of course, it wasn’t always fun and games for those who took
to the web as their means of sharing their content. For the longest time
Hollywood was scared of the web and didn’t know how to approach it. One of the
first real companies to do so was CBS with their webseries Clark and Michael.
It followed fictional versions of Michael Cera and Clark Duke trying to get
their TV series produced. This was a bold move for CBS especially since they
did it in 2007 when no one was really viewing the web as anything more than for
web searching and emailing.
Now days just about every company is the web to release
behind the scene videos, exclusive content and anything else they think people
want to watch. However, most of them aren’t taking full advantage of what the
web truly offers. Most recently Hulu and Netflix have been stepping their game
up with original series like Battleground and Lilyhammer.
Netflix is also taking advantage of their internet streaming
service and using it to bring shows like ArrestedDevelopment and Jericho back
to life. These shows didn’t have long lives on their respected networks, but
have such a strong fan base that bringing them back to life would be profitable
for Netflix. Plus, there are no network constraints or limitations.
Finally, I think the big thing that really has Hollywood
watching what is happening with the web is the award shows that have taken life
to honor those who release content on the web. The Streamy’s and Webby’s are
the two biggest awards for the Internet and over the past few years some big
Hollywood names have been nominated and won these awards. When your big players
are taking advantage of the web and you are really holding back because you don’t
know how to use it says something.
I know that when I begin my career I am going to be taking
advantage of the Internet any way I can to help promote my content and create
original content for it. It is a cheap and effective way to get an idea out
there and show people what you are capable of doing.
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