TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
How to Use this Book
Why a Second Edition?
Preface
What's this book about, who is it for?
CHAPTER ONE
What is a webisode?; A brief history of short episodic video on the Web; What's out there already - amateur and
professional; Why create for the net?
CHAPTER TWO
The series concept; What is a series as opposed to a stand-alone short film?; Fatally flawed series concepts; Be
bold, fresh and original; So where's the drama?; you need a killer title
CHAPTER THREE
Creating compelling characters; Character essentials; Characterization; your overall character landscape; Leading characters vs. supporting characters; Drawing on real life; Growing your characters
CHAPTER FOUR
Creating the world of your series; Laying out the rules; reality vs. believability; Building on the reality you create;
What if I want to make an animated Web series?; Animated Web series - what's out there now
CHAPTER FIVE
The pilot - story; Creating a story that tells and sells; Premise pilot vs. "Episode #10” pilot; you've only got a few
minutes, so be economical; Creating memorable character introductions; Story structure: Beginning-Middle-End; Putting it on paper - writing an outline
CHAPTER SIX
The pilot - script; Building your script, scene by scene; Deviating from the outline; What makes good dialogue - the 4 C's; Making your script read visually; you've got a first draft - time to get to work again; When is it ready to be shot?
CHAPTER SEVEN
Choosing a visual style; The marriage of style and content; Beginnings, endings and transitions
CHAPTER EIGHT
Practical concerns - equipment and budget; Equipment - from the bargain basement to the penthouse; Cameras and camera accessories; Sound - mikes, booms, recorders, etc.; Lights; Editing software - fancier stuff; Learning more about all this equipment and how to use it
CHAPTER NINE
The pilot - preproduction; Casting: finding talented actors when you have no budget; Locations: imagination meets reality; Permits; Developing a shooting schedule; revising the script to fit the logistics; Making a shot list; Props and wardrobe; Situations that require special preproduction
CHAPTER TEN
The pilot - production; Dealing with the unexpected; Be quick, but don't hurry; Getting enough takes and coverage; you aren't the only genius on the set; Actors aren't puppets; Crewmembers aren't slaves; The World is not a Set
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The pilot - postproduction; The rough cut - putting it together; The rough cut - assessing what you have; refining
the cut; Postproduction sound; Adding music; Creating a main title
CHAPTER TWELVE
Building on the pilot - coming up with episode ideas; Growing your series; Growing your characters; Learning from each episode you shoot; How many complete episodes do I need before I can post my series?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Marketing your Series...And yourself!; youTube; Beyond youTube; Publicizing and marketing your series; Festivals and contests; Should you create your own website?; Selling and Marketing yourself
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Business Uses of Web Series; Can you Sell and Entertain at the Same Time?; Humor Sells; Characters That Connect With Customers, Tell a real Story, Give the Customer Value for His Time; Even If you're not a Business...
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Interviews With Creators in the Web Series World; Bill Rosenthal - TV Pro Finds a new Market For His Skills;
Cary Okmin - Branded Content: Part Ad, Part Web Series, All Creative; Courtney Zito - Hollywood Girl Moves Behind the Camera; Jen Dawson - Party Girl Has Some Serious Game; Michael Ajakwe - Content Creator...and Creator of the First All Web Series Festival; Christine Lakin - The Long and Winding road
EPILOGUE
You're ready - honest - so go do it!
Appendix 1: Screenplay format tutorial
Appendix 2: Recommended reading for more detailed discussion of each craft
Appendix 3: Syllabi and course outlines for teachers
About the Author
