To show our support of indie producers on the web and otherwise we will be showcasing a few of them here on the site. This month features Tracy Taylor creator and producer of The New 20's a web series about six friends ten years after their college graduation. We had a chance to speak to Ms. Taylor about this and future projects.
Where did you get the idea for your series?
Well, I am in my 30s and I was seeing a lot of life changes of my own and the people around me and I thought, it was interesting to tell a coming of age story for people who've already come of age. I also love movies like St. Elmo's Fire and shows like thirtysomething and wanted to see that kind of story with an African American principal cast.
Why did you think the concept deserved its own series?
I think the concept is original and there was a void. When you see African American shows, they are usually rooted in comedy, but there aren't any urban dramas that just deal with the issues of everyday life, marriage and family and career and jobs and infidelity. There's a whole world to explore with people who look like me and it's not being explored.
What are your goals for the series? The ultimate goal was always to move to television, preferably cable because there is so much room to explore and play and the reins aren't as tight. My short term goal is to raise the funds to keep shooting.
What is your current budget?
We can do 6 episodes for the web for under $15,000.
Are you working on other projects if so what?
I am working on a couple of feature projects and a short that I've been banging around in my head. I'd love to shoot my first feature by year's end.
How long did it take you to produce your series?
It took about 6 months from the writing stage until we actually finished production and then several months of editing after that. With a small budget and having to call in favors, you can't always do things as quickly as you'd like.
What are the biggest challenges as an independent producer?
Everything! From getting locations, to money, to scheduling to crewing up. Everything is an uphill battle for an indie producer. You have to be very deliberate and strong to keep going when sometimes you just want to give up!
Any advice to aspiring producers and writers?
It takes a lot of hard work to get things done. I have to remember that myself. Nothing just falls out of the sky and into your lap, you always have to be in forward motion to make it happen. Don’t let fear of failure stop you.
What is the future of internet video in your opinion?
I’m not really sure what the future holds. I know that the number of content creators keeps growing and advertisers and networks are paying attention. It’s still a great place to get your work seen and develop and audience.
What makes a quality web series?
I think you get out what you put in. For us, our work is our name so we don’t want to put out anything that undermines who we are as filmmakers. It may take us a little longer and cost more money to produce a series like The New 20s, but I can’t have poor sound quality or shots that don’t match. I think what makes a quality web series is the same thing that makes any visual medium quality, if you know what looks good to you on screen, you emulate that. I wanted The New 20s to be as close to television quality as possible. And it’s not easy, but worth it.
What area would you like to improve in your production?
I would have loved to be able to use more locations and fancier backdrops.
Who do you most admire in the industry and would like to emulate?
I look at Shonda Rhimes and I want to do what she has done- is doing. I look at other Black Female television producers who have these wonderful diverse shows and that is what I want for myself. I am so inspired by them and their work.
Do you follow a particular series? If so what?
I’m a big Grey’s Anatomy fan. You can actually see I am influenced in my style of directing by that show.
What do you love about the industry?
The possibilities. I love that all these crazy ideas that are in my head can be formed into stories that I can share.
0 comments:
Post a Comment