From the very first chapter, Jamille Fumah (@JFStories) and her hit Wattpad web novel, Kiss Master, have had quite the journey to fame. Now, in partnership with social entertainment app Kumu, and with the help of hit-churning Philippine studio Black Sheep Productions, the digital page takes to the digital screen—with high aims and more than just a little help from the fans as production and casting go interactive in this month-long, one-of-a-kind casting campaign.
This partnership with Wattpad is a first, but not a completely unforeseen one. “We have a lot in common with Wattpad in terms of valuing the community that supports us,” says Angelo Mendez, Co-founder and Chief of Content of Kumu. “These are exciting new parameters for storytelling, and we feel this is our chance to hear new voices.” Indeed, fans will have many chances to make theirs heard—from writing opportunities and even chances to star in the new series. Here’s how you can get in on the lights, cameras, and action:
Do you have what it takes? Brush up on the creative process on June 6 and 7. Author Fumah, along with Blacksheep and Kumu representatives, will be going live via the @WattpadPH account on Kumu to share more details about this revolutionary project and how Black Sheep is translating the material. Audiences (and potential co-stars!) can get to know the minds behind the production, and fans will officially have their say in who gets cast in the remaining roles—namely, Kiss Master’s supporting ensemble Pepe, Xian, Hyacinth, Bjorn, and Dessy.
Got a favorite excerpt from the web novel that just has to be in the series? Let them know! On June 10, 17, 24, and July 1, Fumah, along with writers from Black Sheep, will conduct a Kumu Live roundtable called “Script with Me!” The forum gives fans the freedom to choose from existing scenes, throw in some extra backstory, and even create potentially better scenes from the ground up. This is the time to let your imagination run wild!
On June 16, Fumah, fellow Wattpad writer Gianna Sibal, and other Wattpad ambassadors and Kumu creators will be conducting a live reading of a Kiss Master chapter. But if you just can’t wait for the premiere, fans get a sneak peek in the form of a live table read on June 23. Fumah and Sibal will both return to introduce some of the key creatives from Black Sheep.
Lastly, from June 6 to July 8, every Kiss Master fan with a Kumu account and a dream of seeing themselves on the big screen will get the chance to audition for the remaining supporting roles, with each character having a designated kumu campaign to streamline the process. The final winner will only be selected from the Top 5 Diamond earners for each role—so aspiring actors better hone their live streaming chops.
Whether you’re writing, acting, or just happy to watch Kiss Master unfold, Kumu is the place to do it. Playground to thousand-and-one categories that showcase talents from every corner, and home to a supportive, highly interactive community that never lets a song with potential go unsung, you can experience your brand of stardom or simply find your tribe on the Kumu app, available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play.
