7) Extend the production with new opportunities for others
Tempting Fates is more than just a Web comedy – the production also incorporates a training course in online production: “The first ever course of its kind, taking talented students through the practical process of creating an online universe and helping produce a black comedy web series. Utilising your skills in social networking, creative writing, design and practical production you’ll have a chance to become part of a major production due for launch in October 2009.”
As a training course, the show can lower production costs by employing students in a legitimate capacity, not just as cheap labour, within the team. The overall team includes online pioneers Lance Weiler at Red Eye Pictures and M Dot Strange, together with indie Eye Film and TV.
Note too that skills development is a key part of the remit of co-funder Screen East. Also, some of the series will be produced within a geographical area that qualifies for EU support.
Meanwhile, several of the media development agencies are forging closer links with the digital production sector. South West Screen, for instance, has brought in Bebo Director of Digital Content Dan’l Hewitt as a board member.
Are there other ways in which your show’s production can benefit third parties that would reciprocate with funding or other forms of support?
8) Look ahead to show and format sales
This may or may not secure money upfront, but when a distributor supports a show in the international marketplace, it gives the production much increased credibility. The rights to Tempting Fates, for instance, were represented by digital formats and distribution specialist i-Rights even before production commenced.
Finance may also be available in such deals. i-Rights provided funding at the development stage for Tempting Fates and at the production stage for Chelsey: OMG. In return, the company requires both an equity stake and distribution rights, and may also advise on exploitation and product integration. i-Rights also picks up distribution rights for completed shows.
9) P2P financing
One radical model for financing a new production is to take it out to the audience who might want to see it.
This P2P approach is being pioneered in music, film – and online TV. Music sites such as Sellaband invite music fans to buys shares in forthcoming albums by new bands in return for a share of any profits.
In film, A Swarm Of Angels is a project to crowdsource the financing of an open source feature film, together with a participatory filmmaking community. It is supported by sci-fi writer Cory Doctorow and graphic novelist Warren Ellis.
Felicia Day, who starred in Buffy, turned to the audience for her own Web comedy The Guild when the production needed more funding to make new episodes. With viewer contributions, the series was able to complete its first season and, with DVD sales, embark on season two, when it attracted sponsorship and distribution from Microsoft.
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