MySpace swoops on KateModern team for new online drama

by Hayley Pinkerfield, Revolution UK 10-Apr-08, 10:00

LONDON - Fox-owned MySpace has commissioned the director and producer team behind Bebo's online drama, KateModern, to create a new web series.

Big Balls Films and Pete Gibbons, the team behind series one of KateModern, will make a pilot of the new project,‘I Love Chieftown', this month, with a 60-webisode series set to launch in mid-September.

The series will be co-developed and produced by MySpace, and will run as four-five minute webisodes.

The drama series follows lead character Jamie, an aspiring filmmaker, as she films an up-and-coming band trying to achieve success. Essentially a coming-of-age series, the plot will cover life, love and relationships with a focus on music throughout.

Viewers will be invited to watch and interact with the characters as they develop. ‘I Love Chieftown' will be shot close to transmission, and users will be encouraged to help shape the stories, choose characters, and have opportunities to become an extra in the show.

MySpace will set out to engage its community with a video channel and profile page supporting the series, featuring character profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and plot secrets.

"There will definitely be lots of opportunities for brands to get involved, from product placement to advertising, with more details being confirmed nearer the time," a MySpace spokesperson said.

Comments

Colin Donald - 10/04/2008

MySpace signing up the KateModern team is part of a much bigger picture than poaching a few staff. Senior MySpace execs Katz and Kantrowitz are articulating a vision for MySpace to become a global hub for commissioning, testing and distributing original online shows and formats to television broadcasters around the world. MySpace TV has just become News Corp’s television production R&D division, with an international footprint. Full analysis here: http://tinyurl.com/4lzvbb