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Web series

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A web series is a series of episodes released on the Internet or also by mobile or cellular phone, and part of the newly emerging medium called web television. A single instance of a web series program is called an episode (the term webisode has been largely deprecated).

While the popularity of web serials is continuing to rise, the concept itself isn't entirely new. Scott Zakarin created the first advertiser supported web series in 1995, The Spot. Homicide: Second Shift was a pioneering Internet web series that tied into the TV series Homicide: Life on the Street. The web series started in 1997 and was ultimately cancelled due to financial constraints and technological restrictions.

The rise in popularity of web series can be seen as a result of the increasing availability of broadband and the improved video streaming technology. This has allowed independent producers to create low budget series distributed on the Internet, but more recently major television production companies are using the Internet as a means of promoting their TV shows as well as developing specific media and shows for the Internet.

History

Main article: Web television

In 2004 to 2006, several independent web series began to achieve popularity, most notably Red Vs. Blue (created by Rooster Teeth). The series was distributed independently using online portals YouTube and Revver, as well as the Rooster Teeth website. The series acquired audiences in the millions, with Red Vs. Blue receiving over 100 Million views during its 1st run. Sam Has 7 Friends, which ran in the summer and fall of 2006, was nominated for an Emmy and temporarily removed from the Internet when it was acquired by Michael Eisner.[1]

Web television series have continued to gain in popularity and notoriety over the subsequent years. Some of the most notable web television series include Lonelygirl15, MySpace Road Tour, Prom Queen, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog,The Guild, The Legend of Neil, Dorm Life, This Day Sucks the series, and many more. In 2009, web television series received their first awards show, the Streamys.

Production and distribution

The rise in the popularity of the Internet and improvements in streaming video technology mean that producing and distributing a web series is relatively cheap by traditional standards and allows producers to reach a potentially global audience who can access the shows 24 hours a day.

The emerging potential for success in web video has caught the eye of some of the top entertainment executives in America, including former Disney executive and current head of the Tornante Company, Michael Eisner. Eisner's Vuguru subdivision of Tornante partnered with Canadian media conglomerate Rogers Media on October 26, 2009, securing plans to produce upwards of 30 new web shows a year. Rogers Media will help fund and distribute Vuguru's upcoming productions, thereby solidifying a direct connection between old and new media.[2]

The FMG TV and Radio Network was created in 2004 creating online web series in both audio and video. To date, FMG Network has helped to create over 150 web shows.

Web series can be distributed directly from the producers' websites or online video sites such as YouTube, Vimeo, or Blip.[3]

Awards

In 2008, the International Academy of Web Television was founded with the mission to organize and support the community of web television creators, actors, producers and executives. It administers the selection of winners for the Streamy Awards, the awards for web television and web series content.

In October, 2010 - FMG Network CEO Jody Colvard will launch the first annual Streaming Idol - in search for the next web star.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Eisner to take on the Internet". USA Today. 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2007-03-11.
  2. ^ http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118010383.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1&query=vuguru
  3. ^ http://issuu.com/diegodario/docs/webseries
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