Russian web series: Mastering the new format

Abstract

The article studies how domestic screenwriters and directors are exploring the web series format that started actively developing in Russia only five years ago. Both series produced for major internet platforms and indie projects created by independent studios in the past five years are reviewed. The article analyses how Russian authors understand and take into account in their work the specifics of the new field, as well as the format-forming features of web series that have developed abroad. Such aspects as the lack of censorship, freedom from severe restrictions on story genres and heroes’ types have a significant impact on the dramaturgy of native web series. Those are the things that determine the attractiveness of this new format for experienced Russian authors moving to the internet from related fields: cinema and television. The results of the study show that Russian dramatists and directors rely on foreign experience of creating web series, but at the same time they try to modify certain features of this format and sometimes manage to find their own unique solutions.