Maker Studios Debuts Original Comedy
Multichannel network nudges into scripted fare
Maker Studios, a Los Angeles-based startup best known for repping and nurturing pre-existing YouTube talent, is pushing further into creating original scripted content.
The company has launched Robin Banks and the Bank Roberts, a spoof of heist movies and TV shows, on the new Maker/YouTube comedy hub Nacho Punch. The show is the result of a partnership between Maker and Warner Bros. Television Group's Studio 2.0.
"We are always looking to enhance the original programming experience, so partnering with Studio 2.0 was a clear choice, and we couldn't be happier about being in business with them," said Andy Vick, Maker's gm of comedy.
Maker is planning 10 episodes of Robin Banks and the Bank Roberts, each three to five minutes in length. The launch of the new show comes on the heels of Maker's announcement that it will produce a second season of the Web show Next Time on Lonny (a reality TV spoof), in conjunction with Ben Stiller's Red Hour Films.
When hired last Spring, Maker CEO Ynon Kreiz said that part of his plan was to invest in more Make-owned IP, rather than have the company reliant on maintaining a stable of stars, like Epic Rap Battles of History. And last fall, Maker announced it was moving toward a more branded-channel-focused approach, focusing on verticals like Comedy and music.
