The entertainment industry is evolving. As the web series and OTT (Over-The-Top) services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, and others are gaining popularity, newcomers in the industry are gaining greater opportunities to express themselves. The world of entertainment used to be dominated by big screens. However, today, digital content makes people spend more time on smartphones, tablets, and even smart TVs. This change has given new actors, writers and directors a golden chance to step into the spotlight.

Why OTT Platforms Are Growing So Fast

Over the past couple of years, the OTTs have been worldly known to be one of the biggest sources of entertainment. A large proportion of the society are viewing online rather than in the theaters. Such platforms provide thousands of films and web shows, documentaries, and even short films that can be accessed anywhere by anyone.

OTT services became so popular because there are several causes:

• Low-priced subscriptions options

• Unique content which cannot be found on television or in the cinema halls

• High diversity of types of genre

• Friendly interfaces

• Local language content: The content which will be provided in regional languages.

These have made the products gain millions of users globally. With an increasing number of consumers seeking online content, OTT can only build up their content with new fresh faces and fresh ideas.

What Makes Web Series Different

The web series has transformed the storytelling game. In comparison to the mainstream TV shows, web series are less expanded, more heavy and frequently represent either daring or original concepts. They enable filmmakers to be more risk-taking and other voices to get to the screen.

When these are put in this form, newcomers have a higher opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. It can be an acting performance, script writing, direction, and even camera, all the web series provide a flexible ground on which new talents have a chance to experiment and flourish.

Fresh Talent Is the Need of the Hour

Big stars do attract people, but now the audience is more opportune to search for new talents. The OTT users are usually seeking powerful performances and unusual plot lines. They are not bothered about seeing celebs as they are interested in a good plot rather than the name.

That is why the casting directors, producers and OTT platforms are currently on the lookout for fresh talent. They hold auditions, workshops, and talents hunting to discover the next big star. Even a show with unfamiliar actors and beginning directors has begun to launch shows on many platforms and these shows are turning out to be a huge success.

Examples of Fresh Talent Success Stories

OTT platforms have made many new faces a star and here are some success stories:

• Jitendra Kumar, the actor who is famous due to the series Panchayat, showed his elegant and striking acting style.

• Shreya Dhanwanthary stood out in Scam 1992 and the film is living evidence that great acting does not necessarily require an actor to be a star.

• Pratik Gandhi, a diamond in Scam 1992, stunned everyone with his unacted performance, and therefore, he got the lead roles in movies and online series.

• Triptii Dimri, who featured in Bulbul on Netflix has emerged as a star with her emotive performance.

Before their appearances in the web series these names were not very popular. However, today, they are one of the most-known talents in OTT society. Their emergence is an indication of how new talent is finally being given the limelight it requires.

Opportunities Beyond Acting

OTT sources do not only sell actor roles. They as well open the door to:

• Authors that unleash fresh, lovable, and courageous tales.

• Filmmakers that can work with little crews and show effective narratives with less spending.

• Fine cinematographers who delve into lights, frames, camera traveling.

• Editors and sound specialists who recreate the end product.

With the content required to be of good quality and highly entertaining, the entire crew member has the opportunity to be in the limelight. There is a large number of fresh recruits in these positions who have made names and careers on OTT platforms by working on short movies or low-budget web series.

The Role of Regional Content

The OTTs are chasing local languages and cultures. People enjoy viewing movies about their personal life and the surrounding world. The local talent has even been given more opportunities in this demand.

New ones who are small town girls are now receiving calls to audition for major series. Regional OTT content is providing actors and creators a better opportunity than what they got in Bollywood in earlier years. There are platforms such as Aha (Telugu), Hoichoi (Bengali) and Chaupal (Punjabi) that have already introduced a number of shows involving new talents.

Social Media’s Role in Discovering Talent

Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and other social media were turned into talent pools of OTT producers. Web series deals have been received by many of those creative minds that create short skits or videos on the web due to their internet popularity. The production houses have turned to follow the influencing and Internet performers to track down any potential new stars.

It is now possible to be discovered as an aspiring actor, writer, and creator on social media through casting directors and OTT scouts.

What Casting Directors Look for in Fresh Talent

The casting directors are really important to the future of OTT content. In selection of fresh talent they seek:

• Authenticity- a person, who takes real emotions on the screen.

• Flexibility - diversity of roles and emotions fulfillment.

• Trustworthiness - the ease before the camera.

• Natural screen presence - a sort of person who looks approachable and appealing.

• Open to learn- the individuals who accept criticism and learn.

New people who train well and are committed to the trade usually receive more chances.

The Importance of Training and Workshops

Young talent requires grooming so that this content becomes successful in the areas of web series and OTT. They have acting classes, screenwriting classes, directing, and apprenticeship on the job programs to strengthen their foundations.

The OTT specific form of storytelling has become the goal of many film schools and acting academies. Netflix and Amazon even have a partnership with film institutes, to educate young filmmakers. The workshops are used to learn the technical abilities and artistic perspective to produce effective digital content.

Challenges for Newcomers

As long as the doors remain open, the road is not always smooth. New talent continues to grapple with such issues as:

• Fierce competition

• Limited budgets

• Great expectations by the audience

• Competitive stress of an overcrowded market

Nevertheless, with being consistent, advancing their competency and having good networks, a person can gradually ascend the ladder.

Tips for Aspiring OTT Talent

To make it in web series or OTTs, you should strictly consider these few tips:

1. Develop a good portfolio: Make some short clips, showreels or writing samples.

2. Act or write classes: Tune your skills under professionals.

3. Field connection: Find events such as film festivals, work sessions or auditions.

4. Be on social media: Post your talent and create your own brand.

5. Keep current: Watch on trend web series and learn what is actually doing well.

6. Patient and persistent: A negative answer is a life process but grows with time.

Why This Trend Will Continue

Demand for new talent is bound to increase further in the future. More than ever OTT platforms are releasing original content. The global streaming allows even small productions to be viewed in the other countries. This provides new opportunities to newcomers with a new outlook.

Meanwhile, audiences desire more reality, reality, and new tales. New talent aids in doing that. Everyone needs a fresh voice whether it is a familiar face on screen or someone who has got some strong ideas and the OTT base is starving without new voices.

Conclusion

The increase in the outsourcing of new talent in web series or OTT platforms is a pointer of how quickly the world of entertainment is changing. With the industry no longer revolving as much around the star power but more on the storytelling and acting elements, new talent can get the limelight they ever needed.

Passion, creativity, and ambition are the only factors that you require and just now you should go after your dream. The OTT world is open to all and it requires your voice.