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Would any producers be interested in bouncing some ideas around with a young writer/director?

Dominic Hassall

9 years, 6 months ago - Dominic Hassall

Hi all,

I hope this doesn't sound hopelessly green, but I'm a writer/director who is currently working on a short online sketch series in order to build up a network and produce some relatively easy-to-make content - and now I'm searching for a bit of advice on where to go next...

I have a plethora of ideas for future series - sketch and narrative based - but having focussed so much on the creative side of things I'm finding it a bit tricky to see above the clouds and know which is the best way forward. Should I do more self-funded content to put on YouTube to build up an audience? Ask people pay for content? Go for the Kickstarter route to make a whole web series, or write a TV pilot and pitch it around? I know where I want to be eventually career wise - and I know there's no single guaranteed way of getting there - but a bit of advice from someone in the know would be highly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance!

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Paddy Robinson-Griffin

9 years, 6 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

My 2p, there no point asking people to pay for content, Kickstarter will require a decent loyal following before you even start a campaign, so build up your YouTube channel and really connect with that audience. Most will be flakes but some might come along for a Kickstarter for something new if they like your work. You might also be able to pick up product placement deals if you're becoming popular.

TV is a world away, but there is no harm in sending sketches to sketch show producers, or even topical sketches to things like The Now Show (R4) or suitable one liners to panel show producers. If you're a regular contributor it'll open doors and you'll get £50/gag or so, and it'll make your writing 100x tighter.

Response from 9 years, 6 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW

Dominic Hassall

9 years, 6 months ago - Dominic Hassall

Thanks Paddy, I appreciate your response and will definitely heed your advice :)

Response from 9 years, 6 months ago - Dominic Hassall SHOW

Paulina Brahm

9 years, 6 months ago - Paulina Brahm

Paddy, you're fantastic. Great advice, and I LOVE 'The Now Show'.

But I will say as an actress and YouTube consumer, and more importantly, reading the comments on YouTube--people now expect content for free. If you build something they not only want, but crave (I know it sounds crazy but from comments I read people DEMAND the channels they subscribe to, to make more videos--for free?!) then you have a fanbase from which you can work from and then do your marketing. If you have a following, then you can move forward, because you have the audience addicted, and in the palm of your hand. After watching (for free) years of many of my favorite channels, I would happily pay for content, but I honestly will say I would not crowdfund a webpilot, unless the promo/plea was extraordinary. But I will say I have contributed to crowdfunded shorts. Perhaps I need to examine my values....

Anyway, Dominic, you can continue to make videos at a cost to yourself, because you love what you do. It's a balancing act.

Good luck.

Paulina

Response from 9 years, 6 months ago - Paulina Brahm SHOW

Dominic Hassall

9 years, 6 months ago - Dominic Hassall

Thanks Pauline, I appreciate your comments too! I agree, building a following/ fanbase feels like the right way to go for the moment - it was just having heard of others go for the paid content straight away made me consider it. Cheers :)

Response from 9 years, 6 months ago - Dominic Hassall SHOW