and how does it work?
An unparalleled place to stage & experience online video
We were seeing more and more incredible stories being uploaded online that are inspirational, entertaining and simply making the world a tiny bit better just by existing. The problem was that the places where people had been uploading them, we felt, weren't doing them justice.
Largely overlooked in an ocean of content or staged next to demonstrations of filmmaking techniques, we believed that now, more than ever, these stories needed a special place of their own to call home. Reelhouse is that home - just stories (no cat videos, no portfolio reels) from talented artists for everyone to enjoy.
We also felt strongly that the creators should be the ones controlling how their videos are showcased; that the experience ought to be unique to the story and shown in a way true to the creator's vision. In that sense, it isn't about us – we're just here to help.
A rich connection between creators and their audience
We believe that the relationship between the creator and the audience could - and should - be much closer. Passively watching and then merely "like"ing or commenting didn't cut it. As viewers, we wished there was a way to immerse ourselves into the world of a story or feel connected to its creator. Behind-the-scenes material, ongoing dialogue with the creators, a chance to participate, to make a difference, to matter. Pretty powerful stuff, really, and one of the main reasons we created Reelhouse.
An accessible and sustainable monetization for all users
Great stories take a lot of passion, dedicated hard work, and (of course) money. We wanted to make it possible for creators to make a meaningful return the way we think they should: directly from their viewers and with creators keeping the majority.
Our other priority is to offer monetization models that any creator can leverage. For example, ad revenue sharing works for only a select few, and offers nothing to enrich the entertainment experience.
We are delighted to see a trend where the public is stepping up and supporting creators they enjoy, whether that be renting/buying the content, purchasing from the virtual store or pledging support via the support function among others. It takes five seconds and changes everything – stories move an audience to act in support, that support allows more content to be made, and everybody's a winner. It's an ongoing cycle that you could call (brace yourself) 'democratizing video creation' where stories have no boundaries and can exist solely thanks to the creator and their audience.
Reelhouse's part in all of this is facilitating this ecosystem. To ensure we stick around to provide it, we take a 6% fee (industry low). Get more details in our FAQ