BuzzFeed Studios & MuVpix Ink 100-Title Microdrama Production Pact
The partnership will launch over 100 vertical video titles in two years, beginning with 'Romeo & Juliet, Reimagined' in August.
“Through our partnership with BuzzFeed Studios, we are reaching even broader audiences, while raising the bar in creativity and production quality.”
BuzzFeed Studios and vertical video firm MuVpix have entered a partnership to produce more than 100 microdrama titles over the next two years, according to an exclusive report from Deadline.
The first project from the collaboration will be "Romeo & Juliet, Reimagined," a modern retelling of the Shakespeare classic set in the criminal underworld of Los Angeles. It is scheduled to launch in August.
What is the distribution plan?
The companies plan a cross-platform distribution strategy, co-creating content built natively for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, FAST/CTV platforms, and the MuVpix Originals platform. The partnership aims to mesh MuVpix's distribution capabilities and technology with BuzzFeed Studios' production infrastructure and marketing reach.
Who is involved in the first show?
"Romeo & Juliet, Reimagined" stars Clayton Carrozza as Romeo and Gabrielle Faith Brown as Juliet. The cast also includes Yolanthe Cabu, Mustafa Speaks, and Jordan Barrett. Latino filmmakers Max Decker and Dario Herrera co-wrote the story, with Decker directing and Herrera serving as creative director.
John Lewis, founder of MuVpix, highlighted the ambition of the deal. "Through our partnership with BuzzFeed Studios, we are reaching even broader audiences, while raising the bar in creativity and production quality," he said.
For BuzzFeed Studios, the MuVpix pact follows the recent acquisition of its parent company, BuzzFeed, by Byron Allen. The studio is currently attached to projects like the Natalie Morales movie "The Girlfriend" and the holiday rom-com "The Twelve Dates of Christmas."
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a microdrama?
Based on the reporting, these are short-form, vertical video stories designed for platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. The first project, "Romeo & Juliet, Reimagined," was shot in both horizontal and vertical formats, indicating a focus on mobile-first viewing.
Who is financing these projects?
BlackForge Distribution, which owns MuVpix, is attached as the production company and co-financier for "Romeo & Juliet, Reimagined." Executive producers Mustafa Speaks from Blue Meridian Studios and Liz Fuller of ST8RM are also involved in that title.
What other types of content will they make?
The partnership will focus on co-creating original intellectual property, reimagined classics, and "shoppable" formats. This suggests a mix of new stories, modern takes on existing works, and content integrated with e-commerce elements.
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