Latest news with #DharMannStudios
Express Tribune
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
YouTube takes over Hollywood
Content creators are no longer staying confined to their homespun setups. As Trump's proposed policies keep Hollywood on edge, YouTube stars have been moving to the forefront to expand their businesses. As per The Hollywood Reporter, popular digital creators like Dhar Mann, Dude Perfect, and Alan Chikin Chow are aiming to establish a media legacy by investing in large-scale studios to film their content. Mann, who uploads short films to raise awareness on heavy topics like bullying, wasn't always filming inside of an airplane fuselage near the Burbank airport. The creator began his journey on the platform in 2018, despite having no film background. Recalling his humble beginnings, Mann said, "In the early days, when we were shooting out of my apartment and we needed different film sets, my dining room was a restaurant, my bedroom was a patient room for a hospital, every single thing in my apartment was used for production sets." Now, all his apartment contributes is some furniture for his current property — a campus made of three buildings and more than 100,000 square feet of land, homing multiple sets for restaurants, schools, shopping malls, etc. Having employed a staff of nearly 200 people, Dhar Mann Studios shoots some 8 films simultaneously. "These are real film-level sets. We use the same equipment; we have the same types of resources that the same production companies are doing on TV," he said. "Well, now you're seeing that on YouTube." In the same city, an upcoming episode of Alan's Universe required a pastel-coloured classroom to be transformed into a science lab, where actors reacted to a chemical reaction happening offscreen. The YouTube show is developed by Chow, who observes the takes from the camera's lens. "We used to make eight-minute videos. They were very vignette-y; they were not super story driven. I would not say that the earlier episodes are something that you could see on 'real television'," said Chow, who partnered with Roku this year to make his series available beyond YouTube. The anthology series follows love, friendships, and overcoming the brunt of high school life. Despite being a modest webseries in its earlier stages, Alan's Universe has upped its production quality by expanding to a professional setting. "Because of this space, because of the cameras we have, because of the level of storytelling and the detail that we put in our writing, I can definitely say that what we're making now is something that you could have seen as a Disney Channel Original Movie back in the day," he said. "There's no difference, really. The level of quality storytelling, detail, world building, is all there." Both Mann and Chow were able to build their empires, thanks to the revenue generated from YouTube, enabling a new age of media production. They confirmed that their businesses attract investor interest, a development which abides by a common industry practice. MrBeast, known for his high-budget content, is looking to raise $200 million at a $5 billion valuation for his business, while sports comedy creators Dude Perfect saw a $100 million raise in an investment round in 2024. Building a legacy For Mann, who has two daughters to look after, it's not just about what his flair for content creation earns him now. He admitted that he and his content creator friends also seek to secure a contingency plan for their families. "All the friends that I have that are creators, they're now buying houses, they're getting married, they're having kids. A lot of those folks are trying to think of, how can I still have a career? I built this amazing YouTube channel, but how could I have some sort of exit event, which allows me to live my life, buy my house, send my kid through college, but also allows me to not lose what I've built," he said. "They want to make more money while still being in control of their business creatively, and not have some media company that has never run a YouTube channel take over and may not understand how digital content works." Validating Mann's insights, YouTube's sales executive Brian Albert said, "I think everyone has come to recognise that our creators are truly next-gen media companies. They're writers, they're producers, they're directors, all wrapped in one." In Hollywood's footsteps Much like the rise of Hollywood, YouTube personalities and their businesses are showing promise outside the Los Angeles sphere as well. According to The Hollywood Reporter, advertisers are now leaning towards creator content to not just improve quality but also to target younger consumers. At an advertising event hosted by Spotter in March, Samir Chaudry of Colin & Samir acknowledged the shift in the media landscape. "YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said that creators are the startups of Hollywood, and today, a lot of these startups are starting to look more and more like studios," he said. YouTuber Kinigra Deon moved from LA back to Birmingham Alabama to launch a scripted entertainment studio of her own. She said at the event, "In 2021, I moved back to Alabama, not to escape from Hollywood, but to build my own Hollywood." As content creators seep into the spaces once reserved for Hollywood big-names alone, the industry has begun to take notice. Mann mentioned that many of his crew members come from Disney and Lionsgate, adding that Dhar Mann Studios CEO Sean Atkins used to be the president of MTV. Chow, too, has a casting director on his team who formerly worked for Nickelodeon. "Sometimes, we get pushback from people who are not that open-minded. I would always think, what is the difference?" Chow posed. "Our show was shot with a similar budget to a Nickelodeon show, and the build of the world and the scripts are just as good. I think it really comes down to people slowly starting to understand that this is the new era." For these longtime creators, their passion for the craft is also what drives them to make tough calls. Mann mentioned receiving an offer to sell his company last year, but he turned it down. He said, "I just realised, what would I rather do with my life? This is the most amazing career that I could ever dream of."
Associated Press
28-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Creator Economy Spotlighted at the 2025 NAB Show Featuring Headliner Dhar Mann, Top Digital Scripted Content Creator
Expanded Creator Lab to include more tools and content for the creator economy. WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / January 28, 2025 / The 2025 NAB Show, the premier global gathering and marketplace for the media and entertainment industry, is thrilled to announce Dhar Mann, recognized by Forbes as a Top Creator in 2024, as a featured speaker on the Main Stage. On April 8, from 3-3:30 p.m., Mann will share his journey in a session titled 'The Power of Positivity: Building the World's Largest Digital Scripted Studio - Dhar Mann Studios.' Mann, founder of Dhar Mann Studios (DMS) and top digital scripted content creator, has captivated over 124 million followers with his mission-driven, brand-safe storytelling. In this session, Mann will be joined by DMS CEO Sean Atkins to reveal how DMS became a multi-million dollar powerhouse producing inspirational content viewed by billions annually. Attendees will gain actionable insights on scaling digital intellectual property, partnering with brands and harnessing trends driving the booming creator economy. Following their Main Stage session, Mann and Atkins will host an interactive 'Ask Me Anything' Q&A at the Creator Lab in Theater A on the NAB Show floor. Empowering Digital Storytellers Building on its successful debut in 2024, this year's Creator Lab, set on the show floor in the South Hall, will offer even more programming where attendees can explore hands-on learning and education by top thought leaders on topics including: Creator Lab is powered in partnership with Blackmagic Design offering attendees firsthand experiences with cutting-edge tools that empower creators. Presenting Sponsors include Aamaran presenting lighting products, LucidLink displaying storage and cloud tech and new Exhibitor Cree8 showcasing a centralized workspace for creators. Previous NAB Show speakers in the creator economy include host Sean Evans of Hot Ones, creator and filmmaker Casey Neistat and Marc Hustvedt, president of MrBeastYouTube, offering valuable insights into monetization, branding and scaling digital enterprises. The Creator Economy: Transforming Global Entertainment The creator economy continues to disrupt traditional models of media creation, production, advertising and distribution. With tens of millions of professional content creators worldwide, the creator economy is valued at over $191 billion. That number is expected to more than double by 2030, surpassing $528 billion as the industry continues to redefine the global entertainment landscape, according to Coherent Market Insights. 'From Hollywood to the creator economy, NAB Show fosters collaboration to define the future of entertainment,' said Karen Chupka, executive vice president and managing director, NAB Global Connections and Events. 'Our focus on empowering creators ensures they have the resources and knowledge to thrive in this evolving industry.' Register to attend NAB Show today. Covering, but not attending? Stay updated on the latest show news by adding your name to our media list. About NAB The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at About NAB Show NAB Show is the preeminent conference and exhibition driving the evolution of broadcast, media and entertainment, held April 5-9, 2025 (Exhibits April 6-9) in Las Vegas. Produced by the National Association of Broadcasters, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for next-generation technology inspiring superior audio and video experiences. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms, NAB Show is where global visionaries convene to bring content to life in new and exciting ways. Learn more at 202-429-5407
