James R | On 21, Sep 2015

Raindance Web Fest returns this week for another session of screenings, networking, celebrations and seminars. The line-up of web series that will be shown at the festival can be seen here and we’re proud to be part of the Critics’ Choice Award and supporting the prize for Best British Independent Series.

But one of the most valuable parts of Web Fest is its mission to educate as well as offer exposure to online talent. Starting on the first day of the festival, the four-day event is packed with talks and panel discussions designed to offer insight, tips and advice for established and new web creators alike.

Tickets to each session cost £12 for adults (student concessions are available), or, for access to all of the panels, plus the screenings, a Web Fest Pass costs £100.

Here’s a quick rundown of the schedule:

Thursday 24th September

Mobile Storytelling – 12:00-13:30 – Raindance Film Centre

How can you use mobile platforms and apps to tell your story and also turn your individual fans into a global community? Filmmaker and Web Fest Passholders Only

Writing Episodic Series – 14:00-15:30 – Raindance Film Centre

Script editor Hayley McKenzie moderates a panel of writers on the art of telling stories over the length of a series. What’s the difference between online and traditional TV? And what should you be doing for your pitches? Filmmaker and Web Fest Passholders Only

Sitcom Workshop – 16:00-17:30 – Raindance Film Centre

What’s the difference between being funny and writing comedy? Jared Fryer of Cinemajam moderates this panel. Filmmaker and Web Fest Passholders Only

Friday 25th September

Developing Your Distribution Strategy – 13:45-15:00 – Vue Piccadilly

As more online and mobile platforms appear, your strategy of how, when and where to release your web series now needs more careful planning than ever before. Hazel McCoubrey (Maker Studios), David Ripert (YouTube), Rose Adkins (Screenhits.tv) and Rochelle Dancel (Producer) offer tips.

Understanding the Commissioning Process – 16:50-18:05 – Vue Piccadilly

What happens after you’ve made a web series and got in the room with a TV big wig? Hollyoaks produce Emma Smithwick chats with Channel 4’s Surian Fletcher-Jones and BBC Comedy’s Jon Aird.

In Conversation: Tomska – 20:10-21:30 – Vue Piccadilly

With over 4 million subscribers across two channels, TomSka is one of the most well known UK YouTubers. He talks about comedy, success and building an audience.

Saturday 26th September

Telling Real Stories – 13:30-14:45 – Vue Piccadilly

As Netflix is proving with its growing collection of Oscar-nominated documentaries, factual content is where it’s at. The Guardian and Condé Nast are in on the non-fiction streaming game too. This panel, moderated by WebVee Guide’s Daniela Dilorio, talks through telling true stories online.

Keynote: Kathleen Grace & Funding and Monetisation – 15:15-17:20 – Vue Piccadilly

Kathleen Grace, Chief Creative Officer at New Form Digital, delivers the Raindance Web Fest keynote speech before a panel on getting funded.

Meet the Platforms – 19:25-20:45 – Vue Piccadilly

Delegates from platforms such as Dailymotion, JTS.TV and TelloFilms.com discuss what different platforms look for in web series.

Sunday 27th September

Building and Sustaining an Audience – 14:00-15:15 – Vue Piccadilly

How do you generate an audience and built it into a loyal fan base? Jesse Cleverly of Wildseed Studios and Hass Mosa of Endemol Beyond spill the beans.

Making it on Your Own; Lessons Learned from my First Web Series – 17:15-18:30 – Vue Piccadilly

Experienced web series creators discuss how they started off, from Lisa Gifford and Scott Brown to Katie Boland and Katy Lock.

 
For more information and to book tickets, head to the official Raindance Web Fest site.

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