Streaming platforms have been increasingly instructing web series writers to adopt 'second screen content' writing style in their presentation of stories in the past six months in a bid to capture and convert price-sensitive and daily-soap exposed audiences, especially in tier-2 and -3 cities, into paid subscribers, said industry observers and scriptwriters. Today, 55% of streaming content consumption happens in non-metros and rural areas. The second screen content writing style follows simplistic storytelling, assuming that viewers are distracted.
In this style, viewers don't miss any detail of a story while performing multiple tasks since a lot is conveyed through dialogues.
"In a meeting with a producer of a leading streamer, I was told to write in such a manner that everything is spelt out by each character. This includes what happened in the previous episode. There is no room for nuance and subtlety in second screen content," said scriptwriter Jaidev Hemmady.
Falling attention spans have been a key factor contributing to the increasing trend of second screen content. Studies show the average human attention span in India has fallen to 8.25 seconds from 12 over the past two decades.
This is one reason second screen content is also called ambient viewing. "In a recent meeting, a leading streamer explicitly told me to adopt second screen content writing style. This is a value addition in briefs given to writers. The main brief is to look for unique and clutter-free stories," said writer-director Sameer Joshi.
One of the key changes resulting from the rise of second screen content is the blurring of distinctions between television and streaming content. "In the early phase, streaming content was largely about intimate viewing and immersive storytelling. Second screen content will definitely blur the distinction in content style between television and streamers. Just like individuals on social media, even streamers want devoted followers. Perhaps, second screen content will help them achieve this," pointed out veteran Hindi screenwriter Reshu Nath. Writers shared that second screen content is written by focusing more on "general" things rather than the "personal," which has a deeper context.
"Second screen content on streamers is a trickle-down effect. It started with television. Several decision-makers in the Indian arms of streamers are from the television industry. We are told to water down or dumb down content by providing an experience in which people can point to a larger thing rather than something very small and nuanced," said independent writer-director Satavesha Bose.
Another factor that has led to the adoption of second screen writing style is the data or algorithmic insights into viewers' viewing patterns on streamers.
"Decision-makers in the streaming industry rely more on data points in creating content. I think second screen content is a trial to gauge whether streamers can get paid subscribers from non-metros," explained Joshi.
In this style, viewers don't miss any detail of a story while performing multiple tasks since a lot is conveyed through dialogues.
"In a meeting with a producer of a leading streamer, I was told to write in such a manner that everything is spelt out by each character. This includes what happened in the previous episode. There is no room for nuance and subtlety in second screen content," said scriptwriter Jaidev Hemmady.
Falling attention spans have been a key factor contributing to the increasing trend of second screen content. Studies show the average human attention span in India has fallen to 8.25 seconds from 12 over the past two decades.
This is one reason second screen content is also called ambient viewing. "In a recent meeting, a leading streamer explicitly told me to adopt second screen content writing style. This is a value addition in briefs given to writers. The main brief is to look for unique and clutter-free stories," said writer-director Sameer Joshi.
One of the key changes resulting from the rise of second screen content is the blurring of distinctions between television and streaming content. "In the early phase, streaming content was largely about intimate viewing and immersive storytelling. Second screen content will definitely blur the distinction in content style between television and streamers. Just like individuals on social media, even streamers want devoted followers. Perhaps, second screen content will help them achieve this," pointed out veteran Hindi screenwriter Reshu Nath. Writers shared that second screen content is written by focusing more on "general" things rather than the "personal," which has a deeper context.
"Second screen content on streamers is a trickle-down effect. It started with television. Several decision-makers in the Indian arms of streamers are from the television industry. We are told to water down or dumb down content by providing an experience in which people can point to a larger thing rather than something very small and nuanced," said independent writer-director Satavesha Bose.
Another factor that has led to the adoption of second screen writing style is the data or algorithmic insights into viewers' viewing patterns on streamers.
"Decision-makers in the streaming industry rely more on data points in creating content. I think second screen content is a trial to gauge whether streamers can get paid subscribers from non-metros," explained Joshi.
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