As we continue to innovate and come up with more ways to improve our modern and technologically fast-paced society, a new sensation has been born: the web series.
Comprised of “TV shorts,” web series are usually no more than ten minutes in length each and are available online only. These web series aren’t just your casual Youtuber’s that decided to make series either. Major networks are providing web series, such as a personal favorite of mine, NBC’s The Office Webisodes.
Web series give major networks and independents alike the chance to put their name out there in a cool and modern way. However, can independents compete with major networks in this era of TV? Comparing two web series episodes, the first Company in the web series Suite 7, hosted by My Lifetime network, and Neighborhood #1 of the web series Oh, Inverted World, hosted by New York independent company MovieFilm Productions, it seems like a tough challenge.
Don’t get me wrong, Neighborhood #1 isn’t so bad. It seems to be the beginning of a zombie and monster web series. Of course, since it is an independent web series, the make-up was bad, really bad more specifically. The screenwriting was awkward at times and the actors were clearly novices. But it was something about the raw edge of the episode that captured me and made me want to finish the episode. The entire series is in black and white, which ads to the eeriness of the series. The music was extremely nice and appropriate (I am a huge movie soundtrack fanatic). Even the transition from scene to scene was well made. However, with so-so acting and not so good writing, the series fails to deliver. One student, Sabrina Khan, says, “I thought it was boring. It didn’t lure me in enough.”
Company has an upper hand from the start—it stars actress Shannon Doherty. On top of that, it is obviously much better made and the acting is almost cruelly better. Company takes place in a hotel room, when a manager brings a guest (Doherty) an extra pillow requested and becomes a listening ear to her relationship problems. Yes, it’s a little sappy. But the episode was so enticing it made me want to see more.
Shannon Doherty in Company
Overall, rather it be independents or major networks, web series are making a mark on the web. They are giving a chance for novices to make a name for themselves and for major networks to give their viewers something more. I’d say I’m all for quick TV. What can I say, I’m an American, and I’m just as impatient as the stereotype claims.
I love your blog title, it’s a whole other story on it’s own.
Like, nowadays, with my busy schedule I just gave up on dramas I want to watch like “Mad Men” and “Dexter.” Even if I DVR most of my shows, I just have enough time and energy to devote to the short and sweet 30 minute comedies now–little to no emotional or time investment necessary =)
Sorry to say, web series are not Columbus’ discovery of a new world. They adapt to advances in technology. The story lines, clever or artful, simply rearrange older patterns. Having no cable, I prefer the series that come from our British cousins who are more ‘daring’ in the way they present a story. ‘MI-5’ readily comes to minds or ‘New Tricks’. Formulaic as they are, they offer us more salt in our beer and an arch view of the world.