Mae Cornes
(Charles Burt on the left, Omar Parker on the right)
Social media has transformed how art is experienced globally, making it more accessible than ever before. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok showcase diverse forms of art and allow creators to reach wider audiences easily. These platforms are also becoming more popular than ever before, with many Hollywood celebrities like Natalie Portman voicing how movies are no longer at the center of pop culture like they once were.
By embracing digital content, Egerton Crescent Productions (ECP), ensures that its artistic endeavors are as visible and engaging online as they are in cinemas.
Charles Burt, founder and CEO of ECP, believes strongly that this change is part of content evolving, “I believe the art form is still there. I think it’s just the format that the audience is engaging with that is changing. Streaming shows and binge-watching were a big change from theatrical films, but still have great artistic merit and are very entertaining. Most digital content can be seen in the same way in my eyes. It’s just another way of entertaining an audience.”
Omar Parker, co-founder of ECP and head of content, remarks on this transition, “Moving our focus to digital platforms has been incredible from a creative perspective. In a way it’s very refreshing because movies have so many layers of critique from critics, festivals, distributors, and more before they are released to general audiences, to the point that those larger audiences are often ignored for the former’s opinions. Digital content is incredible because it’s just you interacting with an audience. No middle men, just direct audience response to your creation so you can create the best product for them. It’s incredible.”
Founders Spearheading Innovation
ECP was founded by Burt and Parker, who met in college and started their entertainment industry careers together. Their partnership has thrived on a mutual passion for storytelling and innovation. Initially, the company was more film-focused, creating horror movies like Arena Wars and Devil’s Knight, featuring actors like Michael Madsen, Eric Roberts, and Kevin Sorbo. More recently, the company has taken a turn towards creating more digital content as well.
The duo prides themselves on their adaptability and feel that new media is the future and that they can be a true digital content powerhouse.
Embracing New Formats and Audiences
ECP’s pivot to digital is a response to changing viewer habits and the increasing importance of online platforms. The creation of the Tumbleweed brand highlights ECP’s team commitment to this new direction. With over a million followers on major social media sites like Instagram, YouTube, and Tiktok, in just 8 months, the Tumbleweed brand shows how popular this medium can be.
Burt explains, “We had been making traditional content for quite awhile and loved our experience in it, but it felt like we were making content for a different, older cohort, or generation than our own. One of the most fun things about our current digital content push is it all started from us asking what we would want to watch, making that type of content, and trying to gather like minded fans of our generation.” The CEO has rapidly expanded the company’s reach using this mindset.
Future Directions and Technological Innovations
As ECP expands its digital footprint, it also faces the challenge of new production methods. The industry continues to change with technological advancements and viewer habits, necessitating ongoing adaptation from content creators.
Burt has expanded the team to 10 members for digital content, and is currently exploring new technologies such as AI to enhance its storytelling capabilities. “Emerging technologies present new opportunities for creativity. We’re interested in how tools like AI can bring new dimensions to our stories,” Burt shares.
Maintaining Quality in a Digital First Approach
While ECP’s medium has changed, the commitment to producing high-quality content remains the same. The company ensures that each piece of content, whether a film or a digital snippet, maintains the integrity and depth for which its previous content is known.
Parker reinforces this philosophy, “Our digital content must carry the same quality level as our films. While the medium may change, we’re still focused on crafting content and stories that resonate with our viewers in the digital landscape.”
ECP shows how traditional film companies can successfully transition to the digital arena, using social media for promotion and as a primary platform for creative expression and audience entertainment.