Felicia Day blazed the trail. Here are 15 more creators using Web video to forge their way in Hollywood. [Web exclusive expanded list]
The Bannen Way
The sexy drama about a charismatic crook trying to straighten out his life won four Streamys (Web video’s Oscars) this year, including Best Male Actor in a Drama Series for lead (and creator) Mark Gantt. Season one attracted 13 million views, and as season two develops, execs are exploring options for both Web and TV.
Derrick Comedy
Actor/comedian Donald Glover formed this sketch group with Dominic Dierkes and DC Pierson while a student at NYU, and it proved more important than his education: Glover’s first job out of school was writing for 30 Rock, and he now stars in NBC’s Community. The group still posts videos online—don’t miss Gink, its Web 2.0 parody—and released the feature film Mystery Team last year.
* derrickcomedy.com/home
Held Up
This fall comedy about a bank robbery is the latest project from Randy and Jason Sklar (whose Web series Back on Topps is the gold standard in Web-branded entertainment.). The series will also feature Kaitlin Olson (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and comedian Jon Dore and is directed by Steve Carr (Paul Blart: Mall Cop). “We didn’t make this because it’s good for the Web,” Randy says. “We made it because it’s good.”
* crackle.com
The LXD
After his online dance-off challenge to Miley Cyrus became an Internet phenomenon, director Jon Chu gathered his dancing troops and created The LXD, an original Web series about a Legion of Extraordinary Dancers fighting a war of good versus evil. The cast performed at this year’s Academy Awards and TED, and opened for the Glee live tour, all before the series’ summer premiere.
* thelxd.com