While it may seem like a small thing that NBC is picking up the television show Quarterlife, it will probably make some huge waves in the world of production. Quarterlife is a series of 8-minute short films that have been streaming online--a completely independent Internet show. Even 5 years ago that would have been pretty unthinkable, and that it's gained enough of an audience to be picked up by an actual television station is a pretty monumental achievement.
The series is being picked up by NBC for distribution as a six-episode drama, which works out pretty well considering that it was written more or less for this possibility. Quarterlife was in fact created by Marshall Herskovitz of My So-Called Life fame and Edward Zwick who has directed both features (Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai) and television (thirtysomething). "Ed and Marshall are well-respected TV veterans that repeatedly have demonstrated a creative voice that resonates with a wide audience," NBC programming chief Ben Silverman told The Hollywood Reporter.
There is some speculation as to whether part of this choice was made because the show is nominally strike-proof, since it is an independent Internet production company and not related to the AMPTP. Whether its transition to television, and eventually a promised set of DVDs, will change its current arrangements is unknown, but the company is said to be looking to negotiate its deal with the various guilds.
Expect to see the show on TV early 2008 after it finishes its first run on the internet. If the WGA strike continues, there may be little else to check out then.
Related links:
Quarterlife on IMDB
The Hollywood Reporter: Press release on Quarterlife
Quarterlife.com
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