It would seem like
some sign from the Gods. Yesterday I give the DVDs to
my contact at Atom Films of the first 10 episodes of
"FOUR". The name of my 4-square series is of course a
nod to 4tvs and a number that has kinda ruled my life
for the past decade. This morning, at 4:04, a
magnitude 4.4 earthquake hits Los Angeles
(I slept through it). My contact asks me to call
him and as if the stars align...
...they pass. LOL.
You just have to laugh. I write these entries with a
touch of romance, therefore the earthquake seems to be
an omen. The truth is however, I don't necessarily
disagree with him. This show is more "Survivor" than
straight-up comedy which is the core at Atom Films.
This was always gonna be a bit of a stretch. But at
the end of the day, it's about getting hits. It's
about people latching onto a product, a brand, and
being interested enough to keep clicking. These first
10 episodes have turned out exactly how I wanted,
if not a little better than I thought they would,
and I believe this has legs to be picked up on a
network. Obviously not Comedy Central, which
I believe Atom Films is to the internet (among
hundreds trying), but somewhere.
The kicker is,
I stilllllllllllllll kinda think this would've
worked on Atom Films. In the end, it can't all be
about 2 minute sketch comedy videos when you're an
"original content" website like Atom Films. It has to
branch out and be about entertainment, and what people
will click. I think when you see the first
episode, it makes you want to click the next one.
Simple as that. I believe by the time you get
through the first couple episodes, you want to see
what happens next, and by the end? You're actually
anxiously waiting to see how it ends. Unfortunately,
right now? Just not a lot of working business models
on the net that can support a series like this.
So now what?
Besides the obvious financial hit I just took
(sweet, sweet jesus will the shitstorm in that area
end?), what can be done? The truth, which kills me to
even try and accept, is that this will have to be
GIVEN away. Yes, 16 fully produced episodes, with
production values making The Egos look amateur, will
have to be uploaded online, for free. The concept is
just too unique to "sell" without literally SHOWING
"the suits" there is a market. If I can get thousands
and thousands of hits on these videos... actually get
a viral buzz going? Just maybe there is a second
season, and just maybe an MTV or an ESPN sees the
potential to make this into something
more.
It's a lot of
maybes, and not having the backing of Atom Films
really hurts. He noted in the conversation about
uploading to them anyway (users can upload anything)
and then trying to pimp it a bit, but the bottom line
is, you can't embed with Atom Films at all. And, they
don't do HD yet. Two massive strikes that I was
willing to put up with because they would've paid up
front for the episodes. Without that, I just can't
take the marketing hit. For example, when you link a
youtube video on Facebook? People can play it ON their
Facebook page. They don't have to click a link, they
see a thumbnail, they click it - it starts playing
right there. No matter where you embed it, it counts
the views on YouTube. Same when you embed it on blogs,
etc. THAT is how you get a viral buzz going. People
continually repost the embed. With Atom, that's gone.
The HD issue, is of course me being really anal, but
in general - their quality of videos is just lacking.
Youtube, even if you're NOT in HD? Looks incredible. I
can post that link to someone, and know they're seeing
it the way it's meant to be seen. That isn't
anal, it's just good marketing. It's like making good
quality business cards, or making them at
home.
UGGGGH. More work.
Just, for fuck's sake. I gotta say though, at
least I have the ability to do it. So many people
have ideas that never see the light of day because of
a "pass" from someone who can make it happen. At
least I have a tangible product at the end of the
day...
...but goddamn,
the shitstorm has to stop. What a year.
Adam
PS - Thank you to
The Journey Gods for the earthquake. You tried your
best. :-)
