I recently had a chance to talk with Jason Fischer, a producer on Divine: The Series. Readers may remember that name from our coverage of the webseries in our Indie Spotlight features. For those that aren't familiar with the series, we've included the plot synopsis and first episode at the bottom of the interview.
As opposed to having a smaller budget per episode and stretching out the webseries, they put a significant amount of funding into creating a 6-episode "pilot program" that gives fans a chance to get an early look at the series. The episodes will also be used to pitch Divine to various companies in order to secure funding to continue the series. With 5 episodes already released and the 6th on the way, I wanted to focus more on the business side of Divine and asked Jason about crowd funding, the reason for creating a web series versus a TV pilot, and their plans for continuing Divine past episode 6.
Thank you for taking the time to talk with Daily Dead. Can you you start by telling our readers a little bit about yourself, Maple Blood Productions, and your background in film/TV production?
Jason: I started in the film business as a locations PA over a decade ago. I worked on set for a while and then started working almost exclusively in the production office. I worked my way up in the office and then started writing, directing and producing independent productions. I met Ivan on Supernatural. He graciously helped me on a short film project I directed. Shortly thereafter, I was asked to read the scripts that Ivan and Kirk had so lovingly penned and the rest is history.
I understand that Divine is based on a comic that series creator Ivan Hayden worked on as a teenager? Who was involved in the creative process and how has it evolved from the original concept?
Jason: Yes, this idea has been rattling around Ivan’s big brain for sometime now. Ivan and Kirk developed the concept from Ivan’s original idea as a teenager. They talked and pontificated on the subject while Kirk trained Ivan in Kung Fu, as I understand it. The two guys developed both the concept and the storyline of the series prior to my involvement. It was interesting for me coming into a project that had a 22 episode arc already planned out.
Why was it decided that a webseries was the best format to tell this story? Was it felt that the best way to get exposure was through the fans and social networking?
Jason: We explored a number of options in relation to the series and settled on web series for a number of reasons. Pilots can be wonderful projects but in the end when you are finished you are pitching your idea to a studio / distributor along with everyone else. With the subject matter, non-linear nature of the project and the look and feel we were striving for the internet was by far our best option. It allowed for complete creative control, a worldwide distribution platform, and the ability for us to really do something that had not been attempted on this level before with a web series.
It was something that has happened very organically for us. We made a conscience decision to start our social marketing early on and engage our fans in the very early stages of our project. We have truly been blessed by our fan base. They came onboard prior to the first episode even being aired. We constantly watch our social media sites and try and be as interactive as we are able to. Being a smaller series right now we have the ability to have a connection to those people watching our show and regardless of how the series progresses we are very motivated to never lose the connection that we have established.
Was a traditional TV series or feature film ever seriously considered as an option?
Jason: We considered every option prior to filming, as I would encourage all filmmakers to do regardless of their initial concept. Going a more traditional route was definitely discussed but decided against for a number of reasons. A more traditional route usually means traditional funding as well and all that entails. Ivan and Kirk have done a wonderful job in not shying away from some tough subject matter. Anytime you discuss religion in any format people’s defenses immediately go up. It is a challenging topic to be sure. Add some gore and horror elements, a non-linear storyline, swearing, nudity and other controversial elements and a lot of doors close in a more traditional setting. We didn’t want to have to water down “Divine” on any level simply to find funding. The tough decision was made to go our own route and be trailblazers rather then follow somebody else’s path.
Although the first two episodes were shot last year, the series received support from fans though a Kickstarter project to help fund additional episodes. The project had earned a little more than double its goal. For those that are reading and may have donated to the project, can you tell me more about how the additional funds went into improving each new episode?
Jason: Certainly, The Kickstarter funding was used directly in the filming of our project. From the most basic of necessities such as food and first aid to the higher end extras such as rain towers, wide angle lens and a minotaur. We tried to achieve a TV / Feature film look and release it free online to anyone in the world. We were constantly asked in prep by fans from other countries, who had donated, how they would be able to watch the show. So many shows are geoblocked by region that I don’t think some of them expected to see it till a later date. It pleased us immensely to see fans posting on our website from all over the world that they were watching. Most especially those fans who had donated to our project as I think they have that little something extra in knowing that they helped fund what they were now watching.
I've seen that the first 6 episodes are referred to as a "pilot program", but 22 episodes are already planned out. What are the plans for future episode production? My understanding is that these 6 episodes will be shown to other companies to secure the necessary funding to continue.
Jason: You are correct. The drive now will be to secure funding in order to continue on. We have a series that has an established visual style, a distinctive non-linear story structure, a cool cast of characters, a dedicated fan base and oh so much more. We will be seeking that forward thinking company / studio / individual that has a visionary approach and can see what this series is capable of accomplishing both currently and in the hopefully very near future.
Are you looking to partner up with companies like Machinima, YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix to deliver the episodes or is the goal to remain more independent in that respect?
Jason: We aren’t against partnering with the right company / studio by any means. What we hope for is a relationship where they see what we can bring to the table and we appreciate what they have to offer. We have had some initial bites thus far that we are currently considering as well.
If Maple Blood is unable to secure the kind of deal you want to continue the webseries, will you turn to fans for another round of Kickstarter funding?
Jason: “Crowd funding” has been an interesting experience for us. It’s been a wonderful tool to get in touch with our fans around the world. We have been truly blessed at how amazingly giving individuals can be. On the negative side, it has been an extremely taxing process in terms of sheer labour involved. I remember reading a quote in an article on the web series “The Guild” where Felicia Day was crying over a table of international shipping waivers when she was first starting. We can definitely identify.
Is it possible that the series would return as traditional TV series or feature film instead of continuing as a web series?
Jason: Anything is possible. Our hope is to continue on the web but we are open to a range of possibilities.
How happy is everyone with fan reaction to the series? Has fan feedback helped shape the course of episodes 4-6? What about future plans?
Jason: We are extremely happy with the fans reaction to the show. We definitely have our critics but the series, and the particular episodes within it, have gotten a very visceral reaction. Most people either love it or hate it. We have received both absolutely glowing and some scathing comments. It’s been interesting watching the fans reaction to the non-linear format. We expected confusion at the start of the series and honestly that was the whole idea. To have the fans thrown in the mix just like Father Christopher. It brings a smile to our faces to see the people starting to figure out some of the plot points and Easter eggs imbedded in the show.
We finished filming the six episodes and then aired them so fan reaction didn’t really shape the first six. Ivan and Kirk had the template pretty much set for those episodes. We are all watching the reactions, feedback and questions being generated by the series thus far and I’m sure it will help the show develop for the future episodes we are keen to make.
Fan involvement has been a big part of the Divine web series. While there are thousands or tens of thousands of views per video, the series hasn't hit the massive amount of exposure that a project like this really needs to grab the attention of everyone. For fans of the series that want to spread the word and want to see more episodes, what is the best way they can help out?
Jason: They can help us CONVERT THE WORLD as we like to say over here on Divine. We have such an amazing group of people that we lovingly call the “Divinites” and they truly are a phenomenal group. We have worked extremely hard to get our show out to the world and helping us spread the word about our series is paramount at this stage. Telling your friends, family, co-workers, fellow students or the guy down the street is appreciated. We have had people making posters and putting them up around campuses; changing their facebook status to watch www.divinetheseries.com ; creating some amazing fan art and a whole host of other amazingly creative ideas.
Thank you for taking the time to talk with us. Is there anything else you'd like to say to our Daily Dead readers?
Jason: My pleasure and Yes…please help us CONVERT THE WORLD and watch our series again and again. You would be surprised at how much more people take from the 2nd or 3rd viewing.
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If you haven't watched Divine: The Series, we've included the first episode and synopsis. We've also been given 4 behind-the-scenes and promotional photos, which have been posted below. For more information on the series and to watch the rest of the episodes, visit: http://www.divinetheseries.com/
"Coping with his loss of faith, a young priest has his world turned upside-down when he witnesses the resurrection of an immortal being named Divine. Given sanctuary by the church, Divine leads a never-ending crusade to show lost souls they have the power to choose their destiny between good and evil. With guidance from the priest’s mentor and Divine’s street-smart sidekick, the Father must now confront his own demons and the dark forces that challenge Divine."
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