Do Freemiums Work?

Bookmark and Share

I was recently contacted by Jennifer Thym the Director of the new Web Series LUMINA by RockGinger Limited. She came across my blog while she was researching other web series, and found it after reading about the Bannen Way trailer. She told me she was “flummoxed” by why The Bannen Way only has 600+ views on YouTube since it’s a great trailer -” but maybe they mostly utilise other sites (like blip.tv) to show it.” I’m not sure about that but she went on to tell me that she coincidentally, “shot a web series on RED (which encodes great to YouTube HD)! We filmed the whole series at the end of last year (indie production and no product placement, maybe I should have looked into that sooner) and we just posted our trailer a little less than two weeks ago.”

LUMINA is a new indie thriller web series directed by Jennifer Thym and shot on location in Hong Kong. The ten part series features an international cast, including JuJu Chan (TVB People’s Choice Award for Miss Chinatown USA 2009), Michael Chan (star of the YouTube viral hit, Wall Street Fighter IV) and Vince Matthew Chung (winner of the Amazing Race Asia 3.) LUMINA is the story of a beautiful young Hong Kong girl who falls in love with a mysterious man she can only see in mirrors, only to be caught up in a whirlwind of lies and treachery.

Shot on the RED One, LUMINA features an intricately layered story, exciting cinematography, and spectacular Hong Kong backdrops, and shows again that indie productions can still be a serious contender in the web series field. Original music for the series is courtesy of Singapore indie music collective, the Enigmatic Army. LUMINA the Web Series premieres summer 2009.

I asked Jen what her business model was and she said, “As for the business model, it’s what’s currently being called “freemium.” Viewing it online is free (it’s mostly to get us publicity at the moment, so that we can get other work or a second season/feature on the back of it) and if we have enough happy fans, we’ll do merchandising (DVD with extras, soundtrack CD, T-shirts). ”

What are your thoughts on “Freemiums?”

Have they worked for Ask A Ninja? For The Guild? For you?

  • Rachel

    That sounds Great! Another great example of what all of us are trying to do already. Keep bringing us these great stories!

    Rachel

  • tim

    yes its amazing Lumina has 3,000 views, i just watched a video 10 mins long of someone opening their new imac in the kitchen – had 70,000 views – no red camera though!

  • http://www.luminaseries.com Jen

    We’re working on growing that viewership for LUMINA. To some extent, freemium, in my opinion, is more about connecting with the dedicated fan instead of just generating lots of casual views. If we find our audience and build on that, then we’re going the right direction.

    And we definitely appreciate any mentions in blogs and forums and Tweets! :)