Creators are Building Studios. Studios are Developing Creators.

The first example illustrates what MrBeast has become - he doesn't run a channel anymore, he runs Beast Studios, complete with the leadership transitions and succession headaches of any production company.

The second, Curry Barker’s movie “Obsession” which has gone on to produce some eyebrow raising numbers including achieving at the box office something that virtually no movie (in any genre) has been able to accomplish - doing better in its second weekend of theatrical release than its first.

These aren't simply examples of an “acquisition of an audience”. They're changes in the way the media landscape is working. A demonstration of what is becoming more prevalent - the cross over between the creator economy and traditional media ecosystems

It's no longer “us and them.” The two worlds are starting to run in similar ways. 

Talent agencies now support creator divisions alongside their film and TV rosters. Broadcasters and studios are creating actual pipelines to develop concepts with creators from scratch rather than waiting to court the ones who've already broken through on their own. 

On the other side, creators are hiring the producers, production managers, writers and directors who used to work exclusively for the studios. 

The gap isn't closing because one side is winning - it's closing because each side is starting to realise the value in each other's approaches and the fact that they are both competing for the same thing - our attention. 

BBC Creator Lab is an example of how this convergence is being tackled. The program is supported by SBS and delivered in partnership with Changer and BBC Studios TalentWorks.

Instead of one studio signing one creator, it's a development program that's a win-win for everyone: established creators go through mentorship on format and storytelling, get put in front of the specialists who actually build media brands and talk directly to the streamers and commissioners.

On the other side, the studios and agencies get to work with a new generation of talent that can help them better reach audiences and develop new IP. Check out more information about it here.

None of this is really about any single program, ours included. It’s about the shifting perspectives and ways of working in this space that are going to shape the future of the media industry.

The next few years belong to whoever builds the on-ramp between the two, rather than waiting for the occasional creator to jump the gap alone. 

✌🏼 Fred
Changer Co-founder

BBC Creator Lab is a collaboration between BBC Studios, SBS and Changer for established YouTube creators to develop bigger formats, original series, new creative opportunities and a brand audiences will want to follow.

Get incredible access to the people behind some of the world’s best known entertainment, factual and scripted brands.

• Develop bold new ideas for your channel and beyond

• Strengthen your storytelling, format thinking and creative craft

• Explore how an upload could become a bigger series, format or audience proposition

• Get fresh perspective on your content, community and next creative move

Got your own take on where the creator economy is heading?

Send it through - it might end up on the Creator Generation podcast or in the next newsletter.

Or submit the form here.

If you haven’t heard, we’ve started the Creator Generation Podcast back up! You asked so we delivered!

Delivered by Changer in partnership with Screen NSW, this two-day workshop is designed to help screen practitioners explore new opportunities in the creator economy and build sustainable careers.

📍 Sydney CBD
📅 16th - 17th September
⭐ Attendance is by application.

If you work across film, TV, documentary or digital storytelling, we'd love to see you there.

P.S If someone forwarded this to you. Thank them from you and from us 😉 and make sure you subscribe here.

✌🏼 Fred
Changer Co-Founder