With explosive growth in recent years, Philly’s tech and innovation scene gets plenty of
local coverage. Nonetheless,
Developing Philly, a weekly web series, has found a new angle. Rather than update viewers on what's happening now in the startup world, the series explores where our tech community came from and where it's headed.
Created by filmmaker David Dylan Thomas and web developer Maurice Gaston, the project was inspired by mutual observation. When the co-producers and longtime
South by Southwest participants met in 2009, people with different skill sets were starting to connect at local events such as
BarCamp and CreativeCamp. The tech culture, it seemed, was becoming more energetic and creative.
Now in its first season, the seven-episode series explores the scene's origins. Topics have included tech in the '90s, groundwork efforts (including
BarCamp,
IgnitePhilly,
Philly Startup Leaders and
Philadelphia Area New Media Association) and the coworking trend. Episodes are released every Friday.
Initially, Gaston and Thomas weren’t sure if the subjects would be fictional, technical or entrepreneurial. Early conversations with Alex Hillman of
Indy Hall and Sean Blanda of
Technically Philly led them to more and more under-the-radar leaders, and the focus became clear.
"I started out expecting to tell a technology story," says Thomas. "It became more of a business story, but then it grew into a story about community in general. What’s unique about the Philly tech and innovation scene is how collaborative and supportive it is."
Source: David Dylan Thomas and Maurice Gaston, Developing Philly
Writer: Dana Henry