Hello All

Launched today, Persona, billed as 'the world's first continuing drama series created exclusively for smartphones' although I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't nicked the idea from the porn industry somehow.

Anyway, for £1.50 (or £1.19 for iPhones - go figure) you can buy an app and get 2-3 minute appisodes delivered to your phone every day for a year.

so if you're an iPhone user you can get it from iTunes here: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/persona-drama/id417940950?mt=8

Or search Persona Drama in the App Store and you should find it.

If you're on Android, Windows or indeed any other internet-capable phone, text PERSONA to 87474 and I think you're good to go.

Now before you get all Deliverance on me there is actually a decent writing opportunity here - honestly - scroll to the end if you don't believe me.

The Head Writer/Showrunner is the internet's own Phill Barron, a seriously funny guy and if you don't read his blog you really should. Go on, here's a link, I promise you won't be disappointed, he's not all ponderous and boring like most writing bloggers (not you obviously, the other ones) ...

http://phillbarron.wordpress.com/

And here's his actual blog for the writing opportunity I was getting to ...

http://phillbarron.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/persona-launches-right-now/

Go read it now but the gist is, Phill's serious about promoting new writing talent - maybe because he's a genuine guy, possible because it's cheaper, probably because they're more likely to indulge his obscure sexual proclivities (full disclosure: I'm on Phill's 'roster' of writers and have no demonstrable writing talent) - and if Persona is a success they're going to need a lot more writers onboard.

And this is pure speculation because I've honestly no idea, but I'm guessing that if Persona is a success App Media, the production company behind it, would be looking to develop further shows. If that's your thing.

Anyway, check it out and make your own minds up,
Martyn

Evening Martyn,

Just had a look and unless I'm being frightfully dim, the OPPORTUNITY would appear to be this...

Potential writers subscribe, in the short-term, to the App at £1.50 for one year's worth of daily updates (very cheap to be sure), on the understanding that if it makes money then there may just possibly be a requirement somewhere down the line for an unspecified number of writers to write for this?

So a quick question if I may. What exactly is the opportunity? To where and indeed to whom does the aspiring contributor send his / her stuff? What are the potential rewards?

I have had a few sherbets and may have misunderstood this, or indeed have missed a vital link somewhere, so if I have please do forgive me and accept my sincere apologies for being a bit of a berk.

Hello,

Ooh, I've never used a forum smiley before.

Blenkinsop: there's actually no need to subscribe to anything (no matter how reasonably priced it may be), IF Persona is successful then we're going to need a lot of writers.

The opportunity is: if you want to write for a successful smartphone continuing drama (as far as I know, the ONLY smartphone continuing drama) then you send me your details (email address on my blog or website), I send you the New Writers' Pack, you submit two trial appisodes (a page and a half of script) and if we like them, we hire you to write a story.

At the moment, being 'hired' involves a paltry token deferred payment and points in the bonus pot (a good percentage of the profits split between everyone involved). I say at the moment because the entire enterprise has been privately financed and there's no money for anything upfront.

If the show's successful, that might change. If it lasts long enough to roll out worldwide and is successful there too ... well, there are millions of smartphones in the world.

Benefits to anyone who writes for us: money (hopefully. Hopefully lots of money), a produced credit, increased visibility, career advancement and general all round thrill of entertaining (hopefully) millions of people.

Alternatively, you might just get to spend a week or so writing a script, get it shot, broadcast and no f**ker ever sees it.

The difference between the first option and the second is word of mouth. The more people who know about it (assuming anyone likes it enough to tell anyone) then the more successful the show will be.

If you're a successful writer with a flourishing career in TV/Film/Stage/Radio - then there's absolutely no reason to want Persona to succeed whatsoever. Unless you like it and fancy the challenge of writing something to a quite ridiculous set of rules.

If you're a new or emerging writer and can't get any of your work produced, then a show watched by millions of people who would like to broadcast your work is probably a good thing, no?

So, that's really what the request for promotion is about. Help us and we may last long enough to help you. Tweet it, mention it on Facebook, tell your nan - it all helps ... there's no need to actually watch the damn thing yourself.

Unless you want to.

Personally I don't feel comfortable promoting something unless I've seen it, but that's just me and obviously a man who's written such treasured gems as 'The Wrong Door' and 'Just for the Record' has to work hard to protect his reputation.

As for why I want to use new or emerging writers ... there aren't enough avenues for people to get their work seen and I'd like to help if I can. Life tends to be nicer all round if everyone helps everyone else. Or at least I think so, I'm probably wrong.

Oh and one last thing on this ridiculously long reply - Martyn has got talent. If nothing else then for writing synopses. Don't tell him, but we want him to write up one of the story ideas he submitted. I'll probably tell him in private sooner or later.

Not at all Blenkinsop, I agree when you put it like that it does sound a bit like 'earn £500-5000 a week for putting letters in enevelopes' so maybe I should have given some context ...

In Jan I read a blog post by Phill about Persona, smartphone drama, blah, blah, he sent me a writerspack, I sent him a couple of story ideas, he said he liked them and now, in February, I've been given the opportunity to write for the show. Now it could quite possibly go tits up but I at least have the chance of a paid writing credit, my first writing credit, something I could hopefully use to jumpstart my up-to-now piss-poor excuse for a writing career. And from what Phill says, there's about twenty other writers in the same position as me, all hopefully even less talented than me. And he does say, and I quote ...

"At the moment we have approximately 20 writers on the roster and if PERSONA takes off, we're going to need a f'%$ load more. That's where you come in - helping us now helps you in the future."

So y'know I think at least it's something to keep an eye out for. And maybe if you watch it and think, that's shit but I've got an idea that isn't shit, maybe if you get in touch with them they might like it. Or not. I dunno. I also have been mainlining sherbet and have accidentally deleted this post twice already so I'd be wary of trusting my judgement anyway!

Martyn

Evening Phill,

That appears to put a little more flesh on the bones; for when I followed the previously posted links in Martyn's first message I was unable to glean the info subsequently contained in your post. Except perhaps the subscription to the App itself.

I wish you best of luck with the project and hope it turns out to be a big success.

Yeah, sorry about that

But doesn't that kind of highlight my point - if this guy is willing to entertain me when random strangers can immediately recognise me for the incoherent buffoon I am - then maybe the bar is set so low even you guys may be in with a chance

Martyn

Quote: Blenkinsop @ February 12 2011, 10:58 PM GMT

That appears to put a little more flesh on the bones; for when I followed the previously posted links in Martyn's first message I was unable to glean the info subsequently contained in your post. Except perhaps the subscription to the App itself.

View original

I am a thoroughly incompetent self-promoter.

Quote: Blenkinsop @ February 12 2011, 10:58 PM GMT

I wish you best of luck with the project and hope it turns out to be a big success.

View original

Thank you. Personally, I'd settle for Persona being 'not shit' ... which, given my track record, would be a nice surprise.

Quote: Phill @ February 12 2011, 11:17 PM GMT

Thank you. Personally, I'd settle for Persona being 'not shit'

View original

Hey, we all have the right to set our sights high. To be able to dream the dream and to hell with the detractors.

Just to add my two-penn'rth.

I've been liaising with Phil about the possibility of writing for Persona because I think it's a great opportunity to get something acted, produced and out there. I don't expect to make any money out of it - but I believe Phil and the other people behind it are genuine, hard-working and want to create something new.

And now I feel guily for not subscribing on the launch day! Soz - it's been my daughters birthday, so fairly hectic but I'll do it now!

Exactly my thoughts, Frantically.

Hope your daughter's birthday went well,
Martyn

P.S. spread the word to your normal non-writing friends as well. I would but I haven't got any

Quote: Phill @ February 12 2011, 11:17 PM GMT

Thank you. Personally, I'd settle for Persona being 'not shit' ... which, given my track record, would be a nice surprise.

View original

Wish granted

Interested to know if anyone thinks this appisode concept could work for an out and out comedy - would there be a big enough market for it? And apologies if this is now deemed to be off-topic - happy to move somewhere else if I knew how to

This is kind of the loose plan for App-Media - if Persona is a success the they want to branch out into other shows. We'd discussed comedy, horror and maybe a sci-fi show ... but it all depends on what happens with Persona.

I wanted to go genre straight away, but the general opinion was soap lent itself best to the small screen.

We'll see. 109th most popular entertainment app in the UK. 73rd most popular app overall in Estonia ... is that good? Who knows?