Twisted horror film to debut online

Break.com makes 'Killer' deal

By BEN FRITZ

Koules

Twisted Pictures is developing a new horror pic that won't debut in theaters, on DVD or on TV.

Production company behind the "Saw" series is pacting with video Web site Break.com to produce a film that will have its U.S. debut exclusively online. Tentatively titled "The Internet Killer," it will be posted in daily segments approximately three minutes long.

Twisted is holding onto all foreign, pay TV, and homevideo rights, which it will exploit after the film runs on Break.com.

While many production companies and studios are getting into the webisode business, "Internet Killer" will be the first project shot as a feature that will be distributed online in short segments.

"We are making this just like any other feature,' said Twisted co-topper Oren Koules. "It will probably be in theaters in some foreign markets. It will be on DVD and TV. The Internet will just be its first U.S. release."

Twisted is currently selecting one of several scripts it has in development to turn into the "Internet Killer" project. It hasn't yet selected a director, though the companies hope the pic will be ready by the end of the summer.

Companies will also produce some interactive elements to offer along with the pic online.

Break, which primarily hosts user-generated videos aimed at young men, plans to significantly increase its video quality in order to stream a feature film properly. "Internet Killer" will be featured on Break's own Web site and syndicated with the netco's branding.

"We're big believers in distributed content, but we're also extraordinarily well positioned to launch a series of videos online to young men," said Break.com CEO Keith Richman. "Advertisers really like this stuff and the bet is we can bring in bigger brands with content like this."

Though other independent features have debuted online in their entirety before, "Internet Killer" will be the first to stream as a series of Webisodes. It will represent a unique challenge to keep each individual scene interesting to watch on its own. Richman added that making the first few Webisodes compelling will be particularly important in order to convince 'Net surfers to watch future installments.

Deal marks the first major online initiative for Twisted. However, it is working with Ubiquity Partners, which packaged the "Internet Killer" partnership, to build its own Web presence aimed at horror fans.

It's the third deal that Break.com, one of most popular video Web sites behind YouTube, has recently forged with a major Hollywood company. It also pacted to air original Web series made by NBC U and Endemol.