Leesa Dean: The Death of ‘Web Series?’

Adventures of a Web Series Newbie – Chapter 97
by Leesa Dean

Short post this week cause I’m totally swamped prepping for production, which will officially start in a few weeks. Plus, doing research and outlining two new pilots for two new series.

This week, there was an article in Filmmaker Magazine about the term “Web Series” and how it, generally, has a negative connotation. Most people seem to equate it with people who are either emerging (which is true) or haven’t made it in Hollywood (partially true). The article suggests changing it to something better/hipper/less damning.

It’s true that people tend to roll their eyes when you say you do a web series. But, in my experience, industry people don’t (especially if you’ve made a little noise).  Cause they know how much comes from online.  I mean, just this week Brent Weinstein who started the digital media department at powerhouse agency UTA (and reps a number of web series creators including Felicia Day) made partner.  A first.  And a statement.

There’s been a ton of response to the article in the IAWTV FB group.  IAWTV is the International Academy of Web Television and a large amount of web creators are members. One person named Dusty A. wrote: “I like to call ours an ‘independent series.’ ‘Web Series’ carries this funky stigma that says, ‘Oh, you make cat videos or get punched in the groin for views.’”  People seemed to unanimously agree that “web series” has got to go. And some replacement names tossed around include: digital series, digital content, online original, tv show online, original comedy (or dramatic) series, digital media and yes, independent series.

I like “digital series.”  And, when my new site launches (yes, another thing I’m knee-deep in), that’s probably what I’ll use.

Author: ChilltownTV

I'm primarily a writer. Sold a few series to tv networks and production companies but never had anything get on the air. So I taught myself how to animate and completed 3 digital series, launching two. The first, Chilltown has been named one of "Five Web Series That Should Be on Your Radar" by ABCNews/Univision and a "Show to Watch" by Tubefilter. The second, Lele's Ratchet Advice Show, garnered a fanatic cult following. As a result, I now do Lele's 60 Second Wrap Up, a weekly comedic entertainment report (which I write & perform) that airs on urban radio stations Rhythm 105.9fm and the Just Wake Up Morning Show on WWRNfm. View all posts by ChilltownTV