SECTION 5

spytap:

…

This is something we’ve been talking about since the time of I Love Bees. …ways to bring communities together through storytelling. I hate to say it, but I think everything got distorted during the writer’s strike of 2007/2008. While the Internet became a way for frustrated…

I agree with you guys. There’s an awful lot of pasta being thrown on the wall and not enough care taken with innovation, technologically or creatively.

I do disagree, however, with the notion that the method of delivery, the recipe that “makes it a digital project”, is primary over story. While I’ve seen some outstanding pieces online, most of what is online lacks both. Most recently, I’ve seen some multi-level deliveries of content that I find compelling only in the sense that I liked the delivery method of that content. There wasn’t much of a story, though, and story is what humans crave and is the very foundation of entertainment. Story is what hooks people in, infects their emotions, and changes lives-if you’re lucky. Story is why people keep coming back.

I’ve always said that I don’t believe the Internet is a dumping ground for projects you knew could be better. I feel strongly that the content should creatively exceed what is seen in traditional media. (After all, especially in the case of experienced traditional media creators, without all the “network and studio notes” shouldn’t we more clearly see your creative vision? Shouldn’t it be miles better, considering no one is breathing down your neck?)

Then there’s money. We can’t all live on excitement about the Internet alone and money is necessary to create content, hence the preponderance of distribution discussions. With no one core template in place regarding profitability (as there was in traditional madia), there’s a lot of hesitancy and dialogue and not enough action. The truth is that there are many revenue models and each project with dictate the best way to take advantage of them. But, it takes (as many of you know) a shitload more work to create a multi-level experience with a compelling story worthy of being called Exceptional Internet Content. I can think of only a few that even come close. 

I would love if there was a fund for exceptional programmers, writers, directors, AR creators, marketers, etc to create these programs we’re referencing that combine great, grab-your-soul story-telling with magnificent multi-level delivery that’s accompanied by a handful of revenue models to provide not only funds for the artists involved, but money for the next project.

I KNOW we’ll get there and everything we’re doing now is important to that end. I think we can ask ourselves, “If I had unlimited funds to accomplish my most complex, compelling multi-level content, what would it be?” and strive to come as close as possible to that every time.