Web channel seeks viewer support
The future of entertainment is being funded $1 at a time.
J. Sibley Law, founder of Stratford-based Saxon Mills, is asking anyone interested in seeing his newest venture, TangoDango.com, to buy into the concept, so to speak, and even take some degree of ownership by donating at least $1 to subscribe.
"You can spend a ton of money on advertising," Law said. "At the end of the day, what makes a difference is people who get excited about your channel."
Those who donate will be "part of a community," Law said, as he works to get at least 2,000 people to serve as a "support network."
"What does that mean? Make a contribution of $1 (more if you are so moved) and then get involved with the channel by subscribing on YouTube, become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and get ready to participate in launch-week activities," according to the TangoDango Web site. "We need your help to find the people who want to get on their inner TangoDango."
The channel, and the financing concept, are introduced in a video now available at TangoDango.com. Law walks through a Waterbury building, meeting those behind the shows that make up the first season and having exchanges over $1.
When it launches, TangoDango will provide episodic shows, one going live each day of the week, in season.
"We believe that the model behind TangoDango will become the standard by which online channels will be built in the future," according to the Web site. "We also believe that this kind of channel provides opportunities for creators to incubate, develop, and create web series in ways that allow them to do what they do best: create!"
Those who create need someone to watch.
"We're trying to get eyeballs," Law said.
The Web format and public financing allow "an opportunity to create content that falls out of a very narrow broadstream," Law said.
Five shows are part of the first TangoDango season.
Monday opens Uncle Vic's Kitchen, starring Vic Terenzio of Trumbull as a Mafioso teaching his niece to cook, with co-stars Dana DiCerto and Dina Montefuscoli, both of Stamford. Law describes it as part cooking show, part sitcom.
"You'll take something from it," he said. It might be a laugh. It might be a recipe.
Jack Rushen of Stratford plays various roles in his variety comedy show U Got Jacked Tuesday.
The curtain rises Wednesday on Scenes from the Movies. Created by Michael Field of Orange, the show about workers at a theater stars Stamford native Gregory Barone, David Ian Lee of Brooklyn, Shaun Mitchell of Trumbull, Alicia Dupuis of Stamford, and Michael Butler of Milford.
Danielle Tolley of New York City portrays a woman who is on a mission to change the perception of blondes by changing the world with acts of love in News for Blondes, Thursday's offering.
"The one show that we've done before is News for Blondes. We're re-creating that show, in a sense, from the ground up," Law said.
Splatter, on Friday, stars Lydia Woods of New York City as a woman who "blends good old-fashioned comedy with performance art."
Seasons are 13 weeks, followed by new seasons. The second is slated to start in September. Some of those shows, Law said, will return for fall.
"Some will continue and will have the 'always on' mentality till it's time to not be on," Law said. "Some will be 13 weeks, then other shows, then a season or two down the road you'll get the next season of the show."
Unlike prime-time television, usually with one opportunity to watch a show, the slots for TangoDango are release dates. The short format of the shows makes it easier to watch several episodes in one sitting.
"What we've found to be a really common viewing practice is, 'Now I'm going to watch all of Uncle Vic's Kitchen,' and they'll watch four or six episodes," Law said.
It also makes it easier for fans to share content with others, Law said, on the "off chance" that a show strikes a chord and hits the Internet jackpot by going viral.
Shows on TangoDango are being created for general audiences, and producers are actively seeking advertising for each of the shows.
Even more, they're seeking to excite an audience and form a following.
"When you think of broadcast, it's kind of one-directional," Law said. "Every place you see our content ... there are opportunities to leave comments. Expectations are that the creators of shows and stars will be online and want to talk about the content. It's more interactive than 'here's the show.'"
Where advertisers may shape broadcasts, the interactive nature of Web TV puts that control in the hands of the audience, which expects interaction.
"It's kind of expected in Web television," Law said. "It's kind of expected not to happen with broadcast."
By June 15, Law hopes to have 2,000 people willing to pay $1 each for that sort of involvement, and who will get excited about TangoDango enough to watch, comment and share its content.
"It really takes a year for a channel like this to find, secure and maintain a fan base," Law said. "The first giant measure after the launch will be a year later."
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