Whedon expects 'Horrible' to at least break even

Continuing from the previous post...

Do you expect Dr. Horrible to make a profit within, say, the first year?

The question of monetization is tricky. First because I don't want to put this forward as needing profit to succeed: This really was a labor of love. And second because it's so easy to lose perspective; Jed, Zack, Maurissa and I would turn on a dime from "We will never finish this" to "And then it shall run for yahrs and yahrs on Broadway!"

I expect that it actually will go into the black within the first year. If I'm right, the interesting question will be how much it can turn from strictly Internet revenues (downloads, ad-supported streaming) and how much from DVD. The former would make it more of a new business model (though making a blip on the DVD market without a major theatrical release or multi-platformed tween star would still be noteworthy).

Some brows have furrowed at the idea of putting it out for free for a week, but that was part of our mission statement from the first: to create an Internet event for the fans (and others) to enjoy because we enjoyed it so much. Whether that affects us negatively revenue-wise it'll be hard to determine, but it's part of the business model in that the statement is as much about the Internet as a medium as it is about our little epic. We're ringing the bell. It doesn't matter how many people gather: We just like the clangy noise.

Comments

[Sarah]

Yup, I don't think breaking even will be Joss's problem.

[whyhallothar]

I think it's fantastic! I have never been a fan of Joss Whedon. I never watched Buffy or Firefly. Not out of dislike or anything, more a case of not enough time and too many other things I'm into. He just never really caught my attention.

I found the link to Doctor Horrible through 'Television Without Pity' and I love it more than I love the air.

I have purchased the first part off iTunes, and intend to purchase the rest as they become available. I intend to buy the music if it's released seperately. I also intend to buy a DVD if this is released in that format. If there were a coffee mug with Dr. Horrible on it, I'd probably buy that too. If it shows up as a theatrical play, I'll probably go see it.

I am so glad this is being so successful, especially as a low-budget essentially non-profit project.

I think I may need to move Mr. Whedon's other projects up in my viewing priority.

[Arsenic]

I have to say... Dr. Horrible needs a big screen production... =D THATS FREE FOR THE FIRST WEEK!

i'd live in that theatre if that happened xD

[Anonymous]

I'm something of a Whedon fan, and I probably wouldn't have heard of this without the free streaming element. Which I heard about one day late. Dammit.

Point being, you can't build word-of-mouth for a venture like this without people actually seeing it.

[Kit]

The tech marketplace has long since penalized early adopters of their products with premium pricing. The free for the first week model, instead turns this minority into something much more powerful: a buzz machine of free promotion.

[Syonix]

I cant stop watching this.

best new project of 2008

... hands down