Ronny Sianturi
The independent streaming service Dropout is making a bold statement in the competitive landscape of television awards, with its innovative comedy panel game show, Game Changer, earning nominations across five Emmy categories. The show is a frontrunner for Outstanding Game Show, and its charismatic host, Sam Reich, is also in contention for Outstanding Host. Reich attributes a significant portion of their burgeoning success to the strategic decision to remain rooted in Los Angeles, a commitment he insists will not waver.
The L.A. Advantage: Community and Creativity
"I can’t imagine a version of the show, or Dropout, that isn’t in L.A.," Reich stated with evident enthusiasm, gesturing towards the Eastside studio space that serves as a hub for many of their productions, including another Emmy contender, Very Important People. Game Changer itself, however, opts for a more dynamic approach to its filming locations, utilizing various studios across the sprawling metropolis. "It all depends on what chaos the season calls for!" Reich explained, hinting at the show’s unpredictable nature.
This geographical anchoring is more than just a logistical choice; it’s a philosophical one. "We live here. It’s a community project, and it’s nothing without its community of talent," Reich emphasized. "If we were to move to Canada or Austin, it would be a different group of people." This sentiment underscores the deep connection between the show’s creative output and the vibrant ecosystem of comedic talent available in the Los Angeles area. The accessibility of seasoned comedians, improv actors, and production professionals in close proximity is a crucial element in the show’s ability to consistently deliver fresh and engaging content.
However, Reich, who also holds the position of CEO for Dropout, expressed a notable lack of support from the city itself. He lamented that Los Angeles has not been "at all helpful" in terms of providing tax incentives or financial assistance, stating plainly, "They have not offered us a dime." This contrasts with the substantial tax breaks and production incentives offered by other major filming hubs, highlighting a potential missed opportunity for the city to foster a homegrown streaming success.
The Genesis of a Game-Changing Concept
Game Changer lives up to its moniker by fundamentally altering the game with each new episode. The core premise involves a rotating cast of stand-up comedians and improv actors, meticulously selected by casting producer Jazzy Collins, known for her work on projects like The Bachelorette and The Traitors. The twist that sets the show apart is that these performers are deliberately kept in the dark about the rules of the game until it commences, forcing them to decipher the objectives and strategies on the fly in their pursuit of victory.
The show, which debuted in 2019, has already completed seven successful seasons, with its eighth premiering on May 18th. Demonstrating an accelerated production cycle, the ninth season is already in development, a departure from its typical schedule. "We opened up a satellite version of the writers’ room in February," Reich revealed. "We won’t be shooting until October or November, but I already have the short list of 15 ideas from which we’ll choose 10." This proactive approach to content creation allows for a rigorous selection process, ensuring that the innovative spirit of the show is maintained.
The Complex Machinery of Production
The journey from concept to screen for each Game Changer episode is a testament to the dedication and intricate collaboration involved. Following filming, each episode undergoes a rigorous six-month post-production process. As the show has evolved and gained traction, its production demands have escalated significantly. "We now have episodes that have 20-plus cameras," Reich stated, illustrating the increasingly complex visual storytelling.
The post-production workflow is a finely tuned operation, spearheaded by lead editor Sam Geer, who also serves as the show’s director. Geer oversees a team of editors, each responsible for specific episodes, with a dynamic system of collaboration and resource allocation. "Episodes are bouncing back and forth between editors as people become available or unavailable," Reich explained. The CEO himself plays an integral role in this phase, providing extensive feedback. "I give around 200 notes per episode and do five or six reviews of each," he noted, acknowledging that "It’s a hugely labor-intensive part of the process."
Authenticity in the Face of Growth
The evolution of Game Changer since its 2019 debut is palpable, radiating a newfound confidence. Despite an increased budget, the show has assiduously avoided betraying its inherent roots. Reich describes Dropout’s productions as "criminally expensive by podcasting standards and criminally cheap by television standards." This delicate balance is key to their unique identity.
"There is a rough-around-the-edges-ness to Dropout’s content that I’m reluctant to lose. It’s a big part of our authenticity," Reich mused. This commitment to raw authenticity is evident in the show’s willingness to break the fourth wall. "With Game Changer, you occasionally see offstage, and we incorporate crew into the show, referring to camera people by their first names and stuff like that." Reich firmly believes that this inherent transparency is crucial to the show’s appeal and envisions a future where Game Changer remains "a fourth wall-breaking show."
Cultivating a Dedicated Fanbase
Perhaps one of the most surprising aspects of Game Changer‘s success is the passionate and highly engaged online fanbase it has cultivated. The show’s Instagram account boasts an impressive 1.3 million followers, and Dropout’s YouTube channel has garnered over 15 million subscribers, where it strategically releases eight- to 12-minute snippets of Game Changer episodes. Furthermore, Dropout itself commands over 1 million subscribers who pay a monthly or yearly fee for access to full episodes of Game Changer and other original series. This subscriber base significantly surpassed Reich’s initial expectations when he first conceived the show.
Reich drew a comparison to highly popular, globally streamed shows, noting, "The No. 1 streamed show in the world right now, which is The Pitt, has a ravenous online fandom, and you’d expect that. We’re online, and that’s where our audience lives." He continued, "What is surprising is that Game Changer, a game show, would develop this kind of a following, because you don’t see Wheel of Fortune or The Price Is Right having this." This distinction highlights how Game Changer has transcended the traditional boundaries of the game show genre, fostering a community and a level of fan interaction more commonly associated with serialized dramas or narrative-driven content.
The Impact of Emmy Recognition
With Game Changer and Very Important People contributing to a total of 11 Emmy category submissions for Dropout this year, the question arises: is the industry finally ready to recognize the profound impact of this seemingly lighthearted programming? The potential implications of such recognition are significant for the future trajectory of the independent streamer.
"We could be 10 times bigger than we are today and still be 10 times smaller than the biggest fish, so the ceiling is still incredibly far away," Reich observed. He believes that an Emmy nod would serve as "an incredible token of validation" and would likely attract a more diverse audience, potentially converting skeptics into viewers. "There’s certainly a trickle of talent who are waking up to Dropout as something they’d like to participate in," Reich added, suggesting that industry awards could accelerate this trend, further solidifying Dropout’s position as a vital player in the streaming ecosystem. The validation from the Television Academy could pave the way for increased investment, broader distribution deals, and a more robust pipeline of creative talent eager to contribute to Dropout’s unique brand of programming. The success of Game Changer at the Emmys, therefore, represents not just a win for a single show, but a potential paradigm shift for independent content creators vying for mainstream industry acknowledgment.
