Producers Shane Cibella, Winston Abalos, Tim Aslin, and Kovar McClure have dared to “go there” with their The Devil’s Couriers webseries.
By Karina Castillo
It seems as if it was only a moment ago the first whisperings of a new entertainment medium was making its way through the halls of big studios and our living rooms. Suddenly something called a ‘web series’ was making its way into our lexicon, yet no one really understood what it was or how it worked.
These days, the incredible success of services such as Netflix and Hulu, have given independent artists the opportunity to distribute their original content. And with the webseries now holding just as much creative clout as network television, a slew of new shows are just waiting to be discovered. But considering the vastness of the web and the varying lengths, content, and production size of each show, where does one begin to come up with a format viewers will want to watch? Shane Cibella, along with fellow producers Winston Abalos, Tim Aslin, and Kovar McClure have dared to answer that question with original series Devil’s Couriers.
A spoof on the popular FX show, Son’s of Anarchy, it follows the demise Devil’s Courier’s Motorcycle Clubs Viagra business when Hipsters on Scooters gain control of a new male enhancement drug. The DCMC then has to battle their rival gang in the hopes of restoring order in the Gobbler Creek retirement community. With 20 episodes at a slim 3 minutes each, the entire series can be watched in just one hour. A stark contrast from a series like the Hulu hit series East Los High, which clocks in at 20 minutes an episode. But with this short format comes success for the Couriers as their small, once independently produced series has now been featured on the front page of Youtube Comedy, has 510,000 views, and distribution from Collective Digital Studio.
In Hollywood it’s easy to look at the stories of shows like Couriers and assume a sort of overnight success. But, as in the majority of cases, this one took many years to come to fruition and involved individuals with stories as riveting as those whose names are on the marquees.
Writer/producer Shane Cibella and producer Tim Aslin garnered previous experience with the web with their first series Takin’ a Shot. Producer Kovar McClure joined Couriers already a seasoned actor having worked on such shows at Grey’s Anatomy and NCIS. And producer Winston A. Abalos a Los Angeles native, was already setting down firm roots as a filmmaker having produced web series’, films, and even a music video for artist Christina Aguilera.
Winston Abalos (Photo: Heidi Kress)
Abalos, whose family hails from Mexico, grew up in a troubled household. Abuse, both mental and physical was the norm for him growing up which was further exacerbated by the fact that Abalos is also gay. As a child he found a way to express himself through the arts and for him his journey has been a spiritual one. “This entire experience has become the voice and vision of my creative work. It’s a voice that wants to express redemption, inclusion and truth,” says Abalos. “My life’s purpose and professional aspirations are all in one; to touch people’s lives so they too can create a person and life of hope, meaning and purpose.” Now with the success of Couriers, Abalos has an opportunity to spread his vision to a wider audience by continuing with the series as well as working on his own independent projects. His next documentary feature has taken him all the way to city hall to interview Congressman Tony Cardenas and Congresswoman Janice Hahn.
In today’s world of big budget scripts and blockbuster stars studio domination has come full circle again, leaving little room for many talented actors, writers, producers, and directors to pave their way. But perhaps this is more of an advantage than we have previously understood.
Due to it’s smaller scale the producers of Devil’s Couriers have their marketing strategy down to a science, thus precisely targeting the audiences more likely to come back again and again. And in this day-and-age of “Do It Yourself” movie making, the creative members involved with these projects are now forced to wear different hats and learn skills otherwise delegated to the small pool of experts that get paid the big bucks. Filmmakers and writers such as Cibella and Abalos are among those that shine through due to the hard work, dedication and saavy needed to last in this business.
In just one season Devil’s Couriers has managed to establish a solid fan base of over 10,000 subscribers, participation as an official selection of the LA Web Series Festival, and distribution from a top Youtube network that represents over 100 channels. And while the question of what format works best still remains, Devil’s Couriers and others shows of varying lengths and content have proven that the web series is here to stay, and that there truly is something for everyone.
New episodes of Devil’s Couriers are posted every Tuesday at 11am EST on their website
Twitter: @DevilsCouriers
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