Update: A spokesperson from Instagram reached out to us and clarified that, while they love how creatively their users use their service, Series 5 is not an official Instagram project. They are not creating original scripted content at this time. Although an earlier draft of this article stated that Series 5 was an official Instagram project, we have updated this article to reflect that clarification.
It seems like everyone these days is creating scripted content, and I do mean everyone. Yesterday, a new film called Shield 5 appeared on Instagram.
A film on Instagram? Yes, a film on Instagram. The story of Shield 5 will be told through 28 15-second episodes running through February. Each episode will be accompanied by a photo that is also an important part of the story. Instagram is calling this type of content “social cinema.”
According to Deadline Hollywood:
In Shield 5, security driver John Swift is arrested for his involvement in a diamond heist and subsequent death of a colleague. Determined to prove his innocence, he finds himself on the run from both the police and those he believes have framed him. Embroiled in a perilous game of cat and mouse, he tries to evade capture long enough to uncover the truth.
Created and written by Adam Dewar and directed by Anthony Wilcox, the series stars Christian Cooke, Elliot Gleave (aka Example), Wallis Day and Kieran O’Brien. Check out the first episode here:
I’m a sucker for transmedia storytelling, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this all works out! If you are too, you can follow Shield 5 on Instagram.
Will you be keeping up with Shield 5? Let us know what you think about the possibilities for this kind of storytelling in the comments below!
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