Episode Length: The Never Ending Story

The thing I still hear almost everyday when it comes to web series production is what should be the proper length for an episode? 

I think that as long as you engage your audience and keep them interested, length shouldn't be an issue. What say you?

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Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on January 25, 2012 at 6:51am

I say agree!

Permalink Reply by Darrin Yalacki on January 26, 2012 at 3:37am

Jason - I also agree 100%. It really depends on content and writing. BUT...we must still remember it's for the web. If you have action, dialogue or anything going on, then great. 

I recently watched a webisode that the first 2 minutes was treated like a movie...(example) look at the tree, now look at the tree closer, now look at it closer, now look at the dew dripping off the leaf...and Click! Sorry, may be okay for a movie where I paid a pretty penny and now I am stuck in a seat for 2 plus hours, but not for the web. 

One thing I think can help is to do shorter episodes to start out with, get people interested and then lengthen the episodes. They are interested and will follow. 

Permalink Reply by AfterTheBeast on June 21, 2012 at 4:15pm

Can't help but wonder if the webisode  you watched was one of mine...   : )

I actually like webisode's that feel filmic. If it's done well and has a point then that's all part of good storytelling IMO.  Western X is a good example.

Permalink Reply by orion metzger on July 7, 2012 at 12:39am

I agree with that in a series I'm ALREADY invested in.

I always thought the first season should have the shortest episodes possible, 6+ runtimes scare away the kiddies

Permalink Reply by Darrin Yalacki on July 10, 2012 at 8:09pm

Sorry just seeing this post...but it wasn't After The Beast. I can't even remember what it was now, but it was the first episode and after 2 minutes it still didn't even get into the story. 

I agree, being filmic is great, just jump into that once you have grabbed the attention. My series opens with a shot that makes no sense (and looking back now I would have placed it differently) but it pays off in the end. 

Permalink Reply by vampz webz on July 11, 2012 at 10:28am

My friends & I just finished our first episode @ 20 minutes and had a meeting yesterday on the very same subject. We kept asking each other "Is our 1st episode too long?". What I got out of it was this. For now, If you want to reach out to a wide audience on the net, then shorter vids are better because most Internet users watch only brief video clips on computers, tablets, & smartphones. With that said, I also believe that if you feel passionate about telling your story the way you want to tell it then length does not matter.

Permalink Reply by orion metzger on July 11, 2012 at 10:37am

Why don't you try editing each Act as a separate video?

Permalink Reply by vampz webz on July 11, 2012 at 10:56am
Well, we released the video 2 1/2 weeks ago and we're approaching 2,000 hits, but that's by spending $10/a day in YouTube ads, which is a lot for our budget. We have 54 likes, 1 dislike, and about 100 subscribers, which isn't bad. Regardless, going forward, we plan on producing significantly shorter episodes.
Permalink Reply by Rich Mbariket on July 11, 2012 at 2:02pm

$300 a month in advertising is actually pretty good and it seems to be working out for you, so find a way to maintain it. :)

Permalink Reply by vampz webz on July 11, 2012 at 4:03pm

Your right! It has helped a lot. We're  going to have to make it work as part of our budget. Thanks Rich! ;)

Permalink Reply by Bob Rodriguez on July 8, 2012 at 3:48pm

Yo Darin -- Exactamundo, Dude!!!

Permalink Reply by Michael Flores on January 27, 2012 at 11:39am

Where the web series industry is at right now, I'd agree. Eventually things might change as the industry evolves and grows. 

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