Tommy Harper, a well-known producer of franchise films, is now venturing into the realm of television with a new application dedicated to micro dramas. This emerging craze, originating from Asia and gaining popularity in the US, has found an enthusiast in the heart of Hollywood.
Harper, the mastermind behind successful franchises, has developed an innovative app that he envisions as the equivalent of “HBO” for micro dramas. Securing initial funding from S32, a prominent venture firm led by Bill Maris of Google Ventures, Harper’s platform VeYou is set to revolutionize the world of micro dramas with cutting-edge AI effects.
VeYou, under Harper’s guidance and through his studio Tiny Verticals, plans to offer a diverse range of micro drama genres such as action, romance, and drama. The first original series titled “Love Under Fire,” a collaboration between Harper and vertical drama star Kasey Esser, promises to elevate storytelling standards within the micro drama landscape.
Distribution partnerships with Google TV and Google Play have been established, with plans for expansion onto Apple’s iOS platform. Leveraging marketing channels like TikTok and Meta platforms, VeYou aims to attract a wide audience base.
Following the prevailing model in the vertical space, VeYou will adopt a viewer-pay system for its series. Production costs are estimated to range between $100,000 to $250,000 per series, with licensed series priced at $4.99 per episode and originals at $10.99.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by micro dramas due to high marketing costs relative to their budget-friendly production nature, Harper intends to collaborate with influential social media personalities for marketing purposes. Additionally, discussions are underway with brands for potential funding opportunities through product placement deals.
Despite some skepticism within Hollywood towards micro dramas, Harper remains optimistic about their potential as a breeding ground for fresh storytelling concepts and talent cultivation in an industry undergoing transformation.
VeYou anticipates that the global micro drama market will reach $26 billion by 2030. Emphasizing premium content creation on a large scale and leveraging advanced analytics for decision-making processes are core pillars of VeYou’s strategy for success in this evolving landscape.