Discovery-backed studio funds digital scripted

New Form Digital, the Discovery Communications- and Ron Howard-backed production incubator, is backing 10 short online scripted films.

The projects represent a second round of the studio’s Incubator Series, which financially backs projects from established, emerging and new digital filmmakers, helping to develop, produce and distribute them.

The new projects cover a range of genres and will debut on various digital platforms in May.

The first Incubator Series rolled out in December, and has lead to Sawyer Hartman’s Parallax and PJ Ligouri’s Oscar’s Hotel going to series via Vimeo On Demand.

The second round projects include prank series 10:31, which features YouTube pranksters Silent Death; psychological thriller The Dreams of Emma Bloom from Pereira & O’Dell; a comedy from Jack Howard and Dean Dobbs about a fake ghost-busting team, Ghost Fighting Corporation; dark drama Cold from Emily Diana Ruth; Benjamin Cook’s dark comedy The Imp of the Peverse; and stop-motion animation series Dr. Havoc’s Diary.

Grrl Scouts, Party Girl, Occupy Alice and Single by 30 are the remaining project, each of which feature an appearance by YouTube personality Mitchell Davis. He will also host accompanying videos and host every project on his own YouTube page.

“This second set of shorts again shows how New Form can help creators realise their visions,’ said New Form’s chief creative officer Kathleen Grace (pictured), who is a former YouTube Space executive.

“The first incubators were a smashing success – great storyteller, engaged audiences and a business success. We’re so excited to help these new filmmakers produce their best version of these new projects.”

Discovery pacted with director Howard and his Imagine Entertainment co-founder, Brian Grazer, last year to launch New Form, which hands digital projects investments to launch their relatively-inexpensive shows. It has focused on scripted so far, but also invests in unscripted.