Web Series Video Production:
3 Things to Know
by Adam Krell
They’re hilarious, touching — and they get people talking. Tracking the popularity of exclusively online shows such as “House of Cards,” Quartz reports greater Internet buzz for Web series than premium cable shows. Living in New York, New Jersey or Philadelphia, you have access to some of the most talented actors in the country, many of whom are eager for work. However, it’s not a simple matter of pointing a camera and uploading a video. There is a lot of competition among Web series; if yours is going to succeed, you need to prepare accordingly.
Video Quality Matters
Just because anyone can upload a video to sites such as YouTube, don’t think you can get away with using a small handheld camera, amateur lighting and set dressing. The most popular Web series look like they could air on TV. Regardless of the quality of the acting or story, a poorly shot video immediately decreases the likelihood of your series being taken seriously.
Work with a New York video production company to create a quality video. Whether you hire them to shoot the video or to come in post-production to give the episodes much-needed original music composition, editing and effects, your series will have a greater chance of success when you work with professionals.
Focus on Your Script
Even the most beautiful videos won’t encourage viewers to subscribe to your series without a compelling story. Pay for a professional scriptwriter to develop your idea into an engaging series that can sustain your plot for a number of episodes. Web series tend to work great as “miniseries” with a beginning, middle and end, and with the potential for future seasons if the series proves successful. The company you hire to shoot your series will also provide you with a director who will work with you and a scriptwriter to translate an idea into must-see online TV.
Take Your Time With Casting
Sometimes, it feels like there are more actors looking for work in the NYC area than there are pigeons in Manhattan. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can quickly hire an actor and pay her next to nothing for the role. There are desperate actors in the city, and you probably will find someone with that attitude. It’s important for the success of your series that you put aside the budget to pay for quality acting and give the casting process substantial consideration. Work with the director on the project to find the perfect people for the roles.
You may have had your TV series pitch rejected by every major network, but you could bypass the traditional system and find real success launching your series exclusively online. You’re not going to catch on with an audience, though, unless you build significant buzz. If you can’t find a popular streaming service such as Netflix to host your video, you’ll have to rely on advertising and word of mouth to get views — and that begins with a quality product.
