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Afterworld: New Sci-fi Web Series Expands on YouTube
A new webisodic series is on the verge of exploding. First launched in early February on BudTV, "Afterworld," an animated post-apocalyptic adventure made by industry pros, moved to the front page of YouTube yesterday and saw its viewership skyrocket from several thousand to over 75,000.
Produced by TV veteran Stan Rogow ("Lizzie McGuire," "Nowhere Man") and written by Brent Friedman ("Mortal Kombat," "The Twilight Zone"), the series – split into 130 3-minute online episodes – chronicles the exploits of a Seattle man on a business trip in New York who survives a mysterious catastrophic event that makes 99% of the earth's population disappear and destroys all working technology. The man eventually tries to find his way home.
While the static 2.5D-style animation may prove too slow for the kids, "Afterworld" is well made, with an ominous mood and a compelling conspiracy-laden storyline. Episodes are being rolled out every Wednesday, according to Afterworld's YouTube Channel.
Shortly after the show premiered, Sony Pictures Television International signed a landmark agreement to exclusively acquire all international television, Internet, digital sell-through, gaming and mobile rights to the series. The deal marks the first time the company has acquired a project across all media platforms. The series will be made available in two-minute installments or as 13 half-hour episodes for traditional broadcasters.
In a press release issued after the deal, Brent Friedman said, "As much as I've enjoyed working in all the conventional mediums, I believe we have created something that represents a new form of content -- the online convergence of television and video games."