“Screen Time” – A vertical microdrama series, created by Issa Rae
What’s worse? Your biggest secret being revealed to your partner? Or to the world? If you cannot decide, imagine the difficulty Danielle, Marcus, Olivia and James must feel. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s back up.
Issa Rae takes storytelling to TikTok
Issa Rae has just come out with another series, but this time, it is on a different kind of screen. No, not IMAX. Not your television either. Let me give you a little hint. After landing a new partnership with TikTok and Pine Drama, Issa Rae has just launched a free vertical microdrama series titled “Screen Time” on one of the world’s largest social media platforms: TikTok.
According to Rae, the team crafted “Screen Time” to match how viewers consume media today, focusing on an experience that is more story-driven, immersive and intentional.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to tell stories in a way that feels premium and elevated, but is concise and available to audiences directly,” said Rae, in a statement. “TikTok has become a leader in discovery and supporting creator-led content, so partnering with them gives us the platform to ensure our stories are seen and shared across the globe.”
A new era of digital storytelling
Since its launch in August of 2018, across generations, millennials, Gen X and Gen Z are all orbiting TikTok. As we delve deeper into the digital era, stories like Issa Rae’s “Screen Time” are transforming how we view content.
Using social media platforms to tell stories, rather than streaming services, eliminates the financial barrier that surrounds the streaming industry. Not to mention, it demystifies how small creators and POC writers can get their work in front of the public on a massive scale. Although “Screen Time” is not the first of its kind, it is the first vertical series to launch on a major social media platform like TikTok, which poses the question: are vertical series the “new” wave of storytelling?
One should be careful using the word “new” to describe “Screen Time,” as it is not the first of its kind. “Besties,” released in 2019 by Crich Media, brands itself as the original vertical micro series. With Issa’s global reach, this series has the potential to usher in a fresh, innovative way for audiences to consume content. And it is a smart move.
Inside ‘screen time’: episodes and audience reaction
Season one consists of 27 episodes, each about a minute long. With the longest being the pilot, lasting one minute and 30 seconds, and the shortest being 50 seconds, episode 26. Each episode ends on a cliffhanger, making the ease of swiping through that much more enjoyable and satisfying.
Between the endless secrets, bombshells and cheating scandals, the microdrama is already jam-packed with excitement, but the audience’s real-time reactions in the comment section are the cherry on top. Scrolling through the comments offers a hilarious and fresh way to relive the episode, turning the viewing experience into a truly communal event.
You can tune into the full series on TikTok via Hoorae’s media page, with season two premiering May 22.
Your turn: is this the future of storytelling?
Let’s flip the conversation to you. Now you hold the mic. Are vertical series the new wave of community storytelling? Do you think this could be the end of studio executives as the gatekeepers? Why or why not? Let’s chat in the comment section.
Meet the cast
The actors featured in the series include:
- Brittney Jefferson (“Rap Sh!t”) as Danielle
- Eric C. Lynch (“Queen Sugar”) as Marcus
- Jasmine Luv (“Tell It Like a Woman”) as Olivia
- Xavier Avila (“Shrinking”) as James
- Jenna Nolen (“À La Carte”) as Rachel
At its core, “Screen Time” is proof that great storytelling does not require a big budget, a streaming deal or a Hollywood stamp of approval. Though it requires a vision, platform and an audience ready to swipe. Issa Rae has all three. The only question left is: who’s next?
Featured image: Photo courtesy YouTube CC BY 3.0
Edited by Nancy Martin & James Sutton
