Netflix
Hollywood better watch out — the TikTokers and YouTubers are coming! From Netflix stardom to a brand-new platform just for independent creators, the next generation of video stars is poised to change everything.
Creator+ is looking to turn TikTokers and YouTubers into full-fledged filmmakers.
The startup will take care of everything from financing to production to marketing and distribution. So far, they have raised over $12 million from investors and are likely to raise more in the next few years.
The projects the startup helps create will be available on their web, mobile, and connected-TV platforms for a small fee. This will not be a subscription-based or ad-based platform. Revenue from the projects will be 50/50 between the company and the creators.
The first project the company is currently working on will be a psychological thriller called Jane. Riverdale actress and YouTube personality Madelaine Petsch will serve as producer as well as star in the film. The rest of the cast includes some big names. Oscar-winner Melissa Leo and rising star Chloe Bailey (one-half of Chloe X Halle) are also on board.
Jonathan Shambroom and Benjamin Grubbs founded Creator+. Shambroom, the CEO, is a Silicone Valley investor who has experience working with internet personalities as Crackle’s former General Manager. Grubbs is the former head of creator partnerships at YouTube.
Joining the startup as the head of the film studio is Adam Wescott. Wescott developed content with well-known YouTubers Eva Gutowski (MyLifeAsEva), Gigi Gorgeous, and Lauren Riihimaki (LaurDIY).
Ben O’Keefe, a leader in the Black Lives Matter movement, is the company’s Head of Diversity. The Head of Production is Nick Phillips. Phillips previously worked at other production companies, including Sony Screen Gems. He also co-founded Revolver Picture Co.
The studio’s Director of Development is McKenna Marshall. She has worked on various projects, including adaptations of Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery and Michael Crichton’s Micro.
Creator+ is not the only platform investing in influencers and content creators. Facebook and Instagram have started paying creators to use their platforms.
“We want to build the best platforms for millions of creators to make a living, so we’re creating new programs to invest over $1 billion to reward creators for great content they create on Facebook and Instagram through 2022,” Mark Zuckerberg posted on Facebook. “Investing in creators isn’t new for us, but I’m excited to expand this work over time.”
TikTok also debuted its creator fund in July 2020. As someone eligible for the fund, it is pretty difficult to actually get paid because you have to have earned a certain amount before you can cash out. Not to mention, you have to reach a ton of views before you even make $1.
It’s been known that YouTube pays their prominent creators well, and it shows in the $30 billion they’ve paid out in the last three years. It also recently created its own creator fund earlier this year in May.
Spotify and Snapchat also have creator funds, but not much is known about those.
Creator+ is not the first company to work with YouTubers to create feature films. Awesomeness, Fullscreen, and Lionsgate have produced films and series for years now. You may remember the Fred movies or maybe YouTube Red’s own The Thinning.
And Creator+ isn’t the first place TikTokers have gone to get off phone screens.
Addison Rae is starring in the gender-swapped modern remake of She’s All That entitled He’s All That. And to be honest, it doesn’t look horrible like I was lowkey hoping.
The Hype House, TikTok’s own content creation group, is currently working on a Netflix reality show, despite the D’Amelios not being a part of it. Speaking of the D’Amelio sisters, they have their own reality show going to Hulu, too.
I can’t wait to see what Creator+ and content creators create together in the next few years!
