Captain Alpha Male Brings His A-Game to Web Video

Slowly but steadily, the quality of original web series is increasing.  Perhaps surprisingly this, so far, has less to do with the major networks getting involved than it does with some very experienced individuals taking matters into their own hands.

The desire to “just do it” instead of trying to work through the endless process of a traditional TV development process is leading lots of pros to do the modern day equivelant of putting a show on in the barn using curtains for the costumes.

One recent entry into the field is the extremely slick-looking “Captain Alpha Male,” launching sometime this summer:

As TubeFilter reports:

The show comes courtesy of co-creators Jay Lutsky (Captain Alpha Male himself), Ric Serena, and Dan Greenberger, all comrades-in-arms with network television writing, directing, and producing experience with giants like CBS.

So, the quality is not surprising.

What is a bit surprising is that this was done completely without outside financing or sponsorship:

We, the cast and crew have full time jobs so it was truly a labor of love. Everyone worked for deferred payments on nights and weekends and some day, night or weekend we really, really hope to pay everyone! We are looking for sponsors to keep the series going. But right now the show is self financed by Dan and I so it is also a labor of debt.

So, the big question will be whether or not this team can not only produce a great looking web series but if they can accomplish the far more difficult task of finding and keeping a significant audience.  With no sponsorship already on board the marketing aspects of the show are likely to be severely under-financed and under-served.

While it is true that a great web video can go “viral” it is not the case for episodic content.

Since the sponsors will now only come on board if the first six episodes show a huge viewership I fear that this will be another labor of love unfairly buried by a lack of exposure.  When sponsors don’t jump in early, it is extremely hard to continue production beyond that first, volunteer season.

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