Exploring how Constraints Affect the Creative Process and Output of Modern Video Media

Abstract

Web series are a fairly new media form, only really emerging within the past 10 years. Dan Williams (2012) describes web series as a form of media that allows independent content creators that are excluded from traditional media forms a voice within the realm of media. Web series developed rapidly from home movies to full scale productions, exhibiting how low budget productions can still be of a high quality. This thesis explores what distinguishes web series from other media forms. The theoretical background surrounding web series provide interesting ideas that can be used to understand the medium further. The accessible nature of web series provides a context from which to understand the medium further.

This research explores real life constraints and how they effect the creative process and output of modern video media, focusing on web series. This project employs a practice-based approach, involving creating an independent web series as a way to discover first hand what constraints were faced, and how they were dealt with. The intent of this study is not to find and define the best way of dealing with certain constraints but rather to explore potential ways to manage obstacles that inevitably arise within a production. Utilizing interview methodologies and autoethnography, with a practice-based approach, this research allowed for a deeper understanding to be gained of the process of creating web series.