Recently, there has been a trend going on across the internet. The world is witnessing a sudden surge of Microdramas, and netizens have started watching them altogether. Apparently, many are yearning for this content. For those of you who haven't seen or don't know what a Microdrama is, you are on the right track. For the other pitiful many of you, it is a series of episodes shot for vertical content, with each episode spanning between 1–3 minutes, with a cliffhanger or a twist at the end of every episode. I am sure you would have come across them on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube. The Algorithm, for sure, has thrown them into your feed once in a while. They combine the behavioral mechanics of TikTok/Reels, the narrative structure of television, and the monetization mechanics of mobile gaming.
Due to the massive demand for this content, many countries like China, North Korea, and Japan have started mass-producing these Microdramas, and the trend is catching on very quickly. At present, that particular market is worth $300M, and by the end of 2030, it is estimated to reach $4.5 billion. Now, you may wonder why this has become so popular. Well, the sole reasons are the massive consumer base and the ease of production.
The creator is happy, and the consumer is happy, and it is a win-win situation. But it's all on the surface. If you dig deep, you can realize that this is not real content, but a marketing gimmick exclusively designed for the target audience, i.e., us. Some of these Microdramas are total crap disguised as content, made simply to trigger viewers to latch onto the next episode/reel by artificially adding twists and cliffhangers, and we fall prey to that. I am sure a majority of the youth are already watching them, knowingly or unknowingly.
Even when we talk about one of the rudimentary aspects of filmmaking, i.e., writing, it is abominable. Microdramas suck. The plot and the story are the least of their concerns for these creators. I mean, what more can you expect from an episode that is 2 minutes long and contains 2 plot twists? If I truly want a series of plot twists and a story that gets nowhere, I'd rather watch Indian TV serials. At least they are not "Vertical Content."
At the end of the day, cinema is a medium, and everybody has the right to express their views. I am not saying they shouldn't do that. It's simply that when I am watching a work of art, I am looking for a perspective. That is the truly unique thing one can attribute to his/her art.
My major issue with these Microdramas is that they are catering to our comfort. There are a lot of marketing gimmicks used while devising these episodes. They are very well-marketed strategies. They derived this model from video games, which follow this model:
I don't even have a problem with these marketing strategies, provided the content is worthy of watching. But I highly doubt that they will turn out to be good. At the end, it's just a tumbling play to grab our ever-dwindling attention spans.
The only reason why these OTT giants are racing to make Microdramas is the fear of missing out. Otherwise, I believe they don't have an iota of interest in these things. With the advent of these short-form episodes, a FOMO has been created, and thus, it has created a big market. Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar are in the race only to grab this opportunity, but I strongly believe it's a bubble.
The major upside is that, with minimal resources, content creators gain viewership and a name for themselves. The big upside is that, with minimal investment, creators can make money, and that is one reason many talented content creators are resorting to making such abominable content. After all, China is the country behind igniting this spark that created this massive fire, and following them is like helping them in "marketizing the art."
While legendary filmmakers like Christopher Nolan are trying to create an immersive experience by increasing the screen space, Microdramas, on the contrary, are doing the exact opposite. This trajectory in the entertainment industry is regressive, and the only ones capable of putting a cease to it are you.
If you truly want to watch something good, then put in some effort, do some research about it, and dedicate some time to watching it. Don't simply watch whatever the algorithm throws at you. I bet a lot of you could remember every movie you have watched this year with precision, but could you say the same about the reel or an episode of a Microdrama you watched?
0 Comments