The Sketch Bank (Original Microseries)
 |
| Jai Rajani - Creator and Director of The Sketch Bank |
1. What is the show about?
The Sketch Bank is an interactive online comedy sketch show pioneered by an upcoming comedy collective from
 |
| The Sketch Bank's official webiste - The audience deposit box. |
2. When it began and how long it ran for?
The Sketch Bank’s first series launched Monday 31st January 2011 for nine weeks, a new episode per week. The episodes consisted of a variety of comedy sketches, whilst the season finally (episode nine) consisted of all of the comedy actors in the series to come together to perform in a comedy music video, that is, a JLS - Beat Again Parody where they changed the name to JLX Pee Again. The video received over 6,000 views.
The second series followed on Monday 19th September 2011 for 12 weeks, a new episode being released every two weeks. Again each of the episodes consisted of comedy sketches whilst the season finally consisted of another comedy performance, a Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror Parody where the Sketch Bank Team changed the name of the track to Freshen Up.
The third series is currently being written and is set to be released in the summer of 2012. Also, series one and two were re-launched all in one go at the end of January 2012 to celebrate The Sketch Bank's first birthday.
3. How many viewers it attracted?
The first series attracted over 10,000 views, whilst the second series attracted over 7000 views. They also set up an Extra Series which has so far attracted over 2,000 viewers where they released their bloopers from the series, an interview parody based on the JLX Pee Again and an extra comedy sketch on Bollywood meets BAFTA 2012 which is one of the Sketch Bank’s newest releases. The show has attracted in total to date, over 62,000 views across their YouTube channel, their Facebook, Twitter site, the Sketch Banks official website and some of the Casts own websites/bloggers as well.
As I am very good friends with the director and creator of the Sketch Bank, (Jai Rajani) I decided to ask him how he thought his show reflected the way in which the internet is changing both TV production and TV viewing habits and was happy to write a bit about what he thought, this is what Jai had to say:
 |
| The Sketch Bank's Facebook Page |
 |
| The Sketch Bank's Twitter Page |
 |
| The Sketch Bank's YouTube Channel |
4. How it was financed/sponsored?
The show wasn’t sponsored or financed. The team used guerilla filmmaking/independent filming where they had no budget and a small crew. They decided to take a more DIY attitude: Do it yourself. The show was all produced on favours and any expenditure used was Jai Rajani’s (the creator and director of The Sketch Banks) own money.
5. Any controversy generated?
There was a small amount of controversy generated in the parody sketch made by the Sketch Bank Team. This was the JLS – Beat Again which was changed by the team to the JLX - Pee Again. This sketch was followed by a parody interview style sketch where they made some gay references about the band. A little bit of controversy was generated by the viewers as one of the real JLS band mates is rumoured to be gay, although there has never been statement released on behalf of the band discussing this issue.
6 How does the show reflect the ways in which the internet is changing both TV production and TV viewing habits?
If it wasn't for YouTube, The Sketch Bank wouldn't be possible. If the internet didn't exist, I would have had no choice but to take the idea and go down the tedious television route. The online world has changed the entertainment industry enormously.
The Sketch Bank, (amongst many other internet channels) cuts out the 'middle-man.' The distance between channel and consumer practically disappears. My channel, can actually communicate directly to the audience. It happens via YouTube and social networks (Facebook / Twitter), and this is a very powerful position to be in. My team and I, are also in charge of decisions and have complete creative freedom - no more answering to a boss superior to us.
What's really interesting is that we can take more risks on the internet as the culture of viewing online is massively different. The viewers on the internet are so much more insensitive. Partly because if they want to express their dislike or disapproval for something, they can do it immediately - with a comment etc. Whereas on TV, if people take offence, they have to make phone calls, write letters / emails and go through a very formal system where the blame game begins and apologies are demanded. If something creates controversy online, it gets taken down in the worst case scenario. But on TV, once it's aired, it's aired... there's no going back.
The UK is far behind the US in terms of online entertainment. The Sketch Bank was scouted by an American company who wanted to stream adverts on our channel. They mentioned how so many people in America are earning a living off their YouTube channels - also with the help of endorsements. Companies in the US are far more likely to throw money into YouTube creatives / channels, than in the UK.
And finally, much of the credit is due to affordable equipment. Canon in particular have created many of the leading DSLR cameras that shoot video in HD, which gives filmmakers the ability to shoot professional cinematography. This is also followed by Apple computers with their pre-installed editing software or advanced and affordable software. So people can quickly excel and develop a portfolio of work.
It is thanks to this, I was picked up by a writing agent who saw potential in me and my product / show. She now wants to set me up on meetings with television AND internet teams. Although, where I stand today, it's very tempting to remain online due to the freedom and access to communicate with audiences.
No comments:
Post a Comment