Fox just went big into microdramas.
Fox Entertainment has taken an equity stake in Holywater, a company that creates microdramas and other vertical videos, primarily through the use of AI. Together, they’ll create original vertical video series, some of which will be birthed from Fox’s existing IP, “including storytelling extensions for current Fox shows and remake projects,” the companies say.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Development deals with top Hollywood talent will be unveiled soon,” the firms promise.
Holywater boasts more than 55 million lifetime downloads. Its content platforms include My Drama, a streaming app for scripted microdramas, and My Muse, a platform for vertical videos specifically created via generative AI. Holywater also owns My Passion, the top independent digital-book publishing platform among American and European companies.
The vertical video format has seen a resurgence led by companies like ReelShort, which has popularized the Quibi-like concept for the TikTok era.
As part of the deal, Fox Entertainment Studios has committed to creating and producing more than 200 vertical video titles for My Drama over the next two years. The first two will be Billionaire Blackmail and Bound by Obsession, both currently in production and shooting in Atlanta.
As Fox looks to the future, expect Gordon Ramsay and Bento Box Entertainment titles to join the ranks in the not-too-distant future.
“Innovation in digital storytelling is shaping the future of entertainment and investing in vertical video positions Fox Entertainment to achieve sustained, long-term growth as we build a modern studio for the future,” said Rob Wade, CEO of Fox Entertainment. “Holywater is at the forefront of this evolution, skillfully using technology to fuel creativity. This partnership is all about finding different, innovative ways to tell stories and inspire storytellers and creators like never before, while giving us the tools and flexibility to bring talent ideas to life faster, smarter and across more platforms worldwide.”
“Vertical streaming is one of the fastest-growing areas in entertainment, and our goal at Holywater is to make vertical series mainstream by raising the bar on quality and widening the genre slate,” said Holywater co-founders and co-CEOs Bogdan Nesvit and Anatolii Kasianov. “We’ve been focusing on storytelling depth to prove that verticals can carry premium drama, thriller, romance, and more — not just a narrow set of tropes. Our partnership with Fox Entertainment validates that vision and gives us the scale and creative firepower to accelerate it. Fox has already been a collaborative, innovative partner, and together we’re empowering major talent and building a vibrant library of gripping vertical series for audiences worldwide.”
In June, Fox Corporation announced its investment in The Lighthouse, a studio and campus space designed specifically for creators to collaborate and develop content. Fox Entertainment aims to expand on that strategy through its Fox Studios Lot in Century City.
On Wednesday, Fox Entertainment Studios announced a unique two-way first-look deal with HarperCollins imprint Avon A.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.hollywoodreporter.com ’
