The traditional film industry has long grappled with changing viewer habits and declining cinema attendance. Audiences now prefer on-demand content over scheduled screenings, and film producers face the challenge of adapting to this shift. Egerton Crescent Productions (ECP), co-founded by Charles Burt and Omar Parker, recognized these challenges early on. They then strategically pivoted to embrace social media and streaming as a primary platform for content distribution.
Leadership: Blending Tradition with Innovation
The duo has a great deal of experience in both traditional and social media content creation. In fact this past week, the duo’s horror film, Camp Pleasant Lake was #1 on Starz top 10 rankings, as they rapidly approached 100,000 subscribers on YouTube just a few weeks after the channel started.
Charles Burt, the CEO of ECP, merges traditional film aptitude with digital strategies. With experience in feature film programming for Sundance and consulting for industry veterans like Patrick Markey, Burt emphasizes the need for evolution.
“We aim to merge traditional filmmaking fundamentals with digital techniques,” Burt explains. “This keeps us relevant and helps us engage a broader audience.”
Omar Parker, drives ECP’s digital transformation as head of content. His creative vision and industry experience resonate with today’s viewers. “We started making films in college, and now we’re reaching millions through social media,” Parker says. “It’s about adapting to where the audience is.”
Utilizing Multiple Platforms
ECP’s strategy has been to create an ecosystem of content, something they have achieved quite well. Under the Tumbleweed brand, they’ve amassed 400,000 followers on TikTok and 1.6 million followers on Instagram between Parker and Burt’s pages. Their new gaming channel on YouTube launched around six weeks ago and already has 90,000 subscribers. Most recently they also launched an Amazon bestselling book, Inebriated Haiku’s. A joke book they wrote in partnership with the Rabbit Hole Pub in Fort Worth, Texas. The book was a #1 seller on Amazon and has a 4.97 on Goodreads with over 1,000 reviews. That doesn’t include their films on streaming.
This creates a massive amount of content for fans, who can see Tumbleweed content on their TV’s, phones, tablets, and in their local bookstores, keeping their fans engaged and returning to their content.
From Reels to Real Impact
Transitioning from traditional film reels to digital content reels wasn’t without its hurdles. Adapting to changing algorithms and platform idiosyncrasies demanded agility and creative ingenuity. Yet, ECP’s cinematic roots have given them an edge, enabling them to craft high-caliber, memorable content even in bite-sized formats.
Their track record boasts of early accolades, with their youthful zest landing them spots at prestigious film festivals like Sundance and Cannes. Sometimes, they would land those spots before they were old enough to toast their successes.
The Next Scene
ECP is setting the stage for even more immersive storytelling adventures. They’re eyeing emerging tech like VR and AR to transform passive viewing into interactive experiences. Plans are also being made to collaborate with top-tier creators and brands to spin exciting new narratives for their growing legion of followers.
“Content is evolving, and so are we. We’re excited to push the envelope and bring our viewers along for the ride,” concludes Parker.
Under the leadership of Burt and Parker, Egerton Crescent Productions isn’t just keeping up with the digital age; they’re setting the pace, proving that when it comes to storytelling, the medium might change, but the magic remains.
