How to continue producing premium shows with a smaller budget?
Dean Devlin, CEO of Electric Entertainment, addresses a crucial industry question by sharing examples of the company's series that have not only become classics but have also crossed international borders.
Electric Entertainment is a well-established production and distribution company with multiple strategies to maintain a strong position in the global industry. It recently launched the second season of its original SYFY TV series "The Ark," filmed in Serbia. "It's even better than the first season. It's bigger and wilder," Dean Devlin, CEO of Electric Entertainment, told Señal News. He also mentioned the upcoming "Leverage: Redemption" season, which was filmed in New Orleans and set to premiere next year. "Even if you've seen every episode of 'Leverage,' this season feels fresh and brand new. It's exciting that we can still create unique episodes this far along," he added.
Electric Entertainment has also announced a new version of "The Librarians," titled "The Librarians: The Next Chapter. This spinoff with a new cast was shot in Serbia. Devlin acknowledged the challenge, noting that it received a standing ovation when they previewed the series at ElectricCon. "The fans were thrilled, which made me happy because I feel obligated to top what we've done before, and I think we have," he said. Devlin credits his talented team for his success in producing around the world. "The team at Electric Entertainment is not only talented but also kind, empathetic, and great to work with. You need these qualities at this level of intensity," he said.
Electric Entertainment announced two original scripted shows for ElectricNOW Originals this year, its AVOD and FAST streaming platform. One new title is "Sloane and The Cosmic Schlep," an eight-episode, half-hour animated sci-fi comedy executive produced by Dean Devlin, Marc Roskin, and Rachel Olschan-Wilson for Electric Entertainment, alongside Derek Frederickson for Twisted Media and Scott Elias, with production by Anna Elias. The second project is "The Poly Couple," a half-hour comedy series that began as a successful social media series, boasting over one million followers and 500 million views. Created by Dana Hobson and Daniel Wolf, the show is inspired by their experiences as a polyamorous couple. "It's not suggestive at all; it's really about the challenges of being in a polyamorous relationship," Devlin explained.
CREATIVITY AS A KEY ELEMENT
In today's market, the industry has recognized the need to make less expensive content that appears to have as much scale and ambition as the show's viewers are accustomed to, something Devlin has always been aware of. "The biggest challenge is producing content that looks as high-quality as before with less money," he explained, emphasizing his commitment to viewers. "They don't know the budget; they just want something they enjoy. Our challenge is to keep our shows premium on a smaller budget, and that's where creativity comes in. Fortunately, many skilled directors know every trick to make a show look big on a budget. I think we've become the best at it," he stated.
Devlin created ElectricNOW as a way to connect directly with audiences. Over the years, they have brought together fans of "The Librarians," "Leverage," and "The Outpost," introducing them to each other and new shows. "When 'The Ark' premiered, we used that channel to reach all of them, resulting in 6.5 million viewers for the first season. It's been a way to thank our fans, communicate with them, and build a community. The fact that it's profitable is a bonus," Devlin explained. Last year, Electric Entertainment launched ElectricNOW en Español, a Spanish-language FAST channel in the United States. "Many platforms were suddenly open to that idea. Rather than just being a language option, we developed a channel with our shows in Spanish and other Spanish-language content, allowing us to reach a broader audience," he concluded.
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