ABSTRACT
Digital platforms such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon have opened up many more opportunities than creators had back in the days when network and cable TV were the only game in town. But web series are more than just "snack-sized" versions of TV shows, or TV shows waiting to happen. Although web shows of numerous sorts have proliferated so much that it's difficult to imagine the media landscape without them, web series really have not been around for very long. The easiest way to get a series funded by a digital outlet is to first become a YouTube, Instagram or Vine celebrity; in fact, this is becoming a common career path for those seeking TV and cable deals. Writing a story – whether it is a short sketch, a TV episode or a 5-hour epic film script – is rarely a straightforward linear process.
