Webshows vs Reality

Let me start by saying, I am a Script Writer and I work in the OTT industry. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have.

Earlier we had one key platform with a million shows, now we have a million platforms with a billion shows. We are not just limited to watching shows from India and America but from all over the world. With the help of “subtitles”, we have been introduced to shows made in Japan, Pakistan, Turkey, Korea, Europe, and many more. It’s an ocean of content and we are happily drowning in it, yet we don’t stop here. We also find it necessary to watch reaction videos and reviews about shows we don’t want to watch.

There is enough content that will last us till 2050. The question is do we need to watch it all?

Here is what I have observed; We humans have evolved to a point where we would much rather watch fictional characters experience life, but not have our own experiences.

If any of my directors and producers are reading this. Please don’t get me wrong. I will always be PRO shows. When the chips are down, films and shows inspire us, motivate us, educate us and make us laugh. It will be hypocritical of me to think otherwise.

Although the bitter truth is that we are overconsuming content and it isn’t healthy.

Here is what a lot of us do. We seem to sit on our beds, do the job for the day, finish up our meetings and Zoom calls. Either we start Swiping up and down or left and right. If we get a little more adventurous we put on a show and time flies. A new day begins and we are doing it all over again.

I did this myself for months. In the end, I was emotionally exhausted. A sense of loneliness took over me and I didn’t know what to do with my time. Real-life didn’t seem so exciting. So, I put on another show and the cycle continued.

A study shows that Adults in India are spending 4.4 hours every day in front of screens(outside of work and educational time) Which means that the little time we have left after work, sleep, and eating, we spend it on screens rather than going out and living life.

Have you ever wondered why F.R.I.E.N.D.S is the most-watched show in India? It's about people talking to one another, doing things together, and going through the ups and downs of life together. Something we all miss doing.

Instead of just complaining about this problem here is what we can do:

1. Watch shows that you find exciting, and not watch shows just because they are trending.

All those days I didn't understand Squid Game memes, weren't the worst. I am positive you will survive. Let's watch shows that we really relate to, and get excited about.

2. Don't compare yourself to fictional characters

I am guilty of writing characters that become successful and evolve in one season. Real-life is a marathon, not a sprint.

3. Try not to eat while you are watching TV.

It's the best combination in the world and it's the hardest habit to change. Unfortunately, we've become so habituated to this combination of activities that we feel odd doing them alone. Even after a heavy dinner if I watch a show, my mind tells me that I should be eating. It's called Pavlov's Classical Conditioning. Even though I am not hungry, my mind wants me to eat.

4. Avoid comparing your past relationships with on-screen love stories

Here is how we writers decide who ends up with who in a show. We make the most toxic couple end up with each other. I will tell you why. A new character will need an extra budget, screen time, inter-character conflicts. Plus a happy normal good relationship isn't very dramatic to watch on screen. It's easy and cheap to make the unsuitable couple end up together. But in real life, you don't need to end up with your ex. Please find someone who brings out the best in you. I beg of you. At least have faith that you will.

5. One Episode per day

Writers today are intentionally writing in a way that will make people binge-watch. Cliff hangers today are so good that we cannot resist watching more than one episode. Platforms are designing their apps and websites in a way that the next episode automatically starts playing. Of course, they want you to spend hours on their app. Nobody is coming to turn it off, you have to do it yourself.

I might be your friend or a stranger, but I understand that life is frustrating and it makes us want to escape in a laptop screen. I assure you the happiness will only last a few hours. We will have to fix what's broken and make our lives worth living.