We receive a ton of tips every day from independent creators, unaffiliated with any major motion picture studios, television networks, new media studios, or other well-funded online video entities. The Indie Spotlight is where we’ll write about and shout out to a select few of them and bring you up to speed on the great (and sometimes not-so-great) attention-grabbing series you probably haven’t heard about until now. Read previous installments here.
Many modern independent web series creators turn to platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo to raise thousands of dollars to fund their production. These People, however, shows that a high-quality web series can be made on a tight budget. The first season of director Jamie Heinrich and writer Zac Hug’s family web series was made for under $500, but despite its price tag, it is a polished dramedy.
Hug stars as Todd, an exasperated man who must deal with his crazy family and a cast of oddball characters as he looks to take care of his younger brother, who is in a poor mental state–or at least appears to be that way. Along the way, Todd becomes increasingly frustrated, and his relationship with his boyfriend suffers as well.
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These People isn’t the funniest web series, nor is it the most insightful, but it has a nice combination of stakes and laughs, and it’s clean and well shot. Throw in some guest appearances (Keith Powell, who just released a web series of his own, shows up in a few episodes) and you have yourself a nice little watch. There’s also a second season on way. It will follow Todd’s sister Jenny (Claire Downs) and will feature its own notable guest star, Community’s Jim Rash. I’ll be tuning in.
OTHER UNDER-THE-RADAR SERIES TO CHECK OUT
- VC. Shark Tank-style venture capital pitches are played for laughs in this web series.
- Stoop55. Discussions with interesting people occur on the stoop of a brownstone in Brooklyn.
- Happy Guys. Two dudes try to makes themselves happier. They’re part of the problem.
- H.I.V.E. Militias do battle in a dystopian future.
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