Author: ChilltownTV

I'm primarily a writer. Sold a few series to tv networks and production companies but never had anything get on the air. So I taught myself how to animate and completed 3 digital series, launching two. The first, Chilltown has been named one of "Five Web Series That Should Be on Your Radar" by ABCNews/Univision and a "Show to Watch" by Tubefilter. The second, Lele's Ratchet Advice Show, garnered a fanatic cult following. As a result, I now do Lele's 60 Second Wrap Up, a weekly comedic entertainment report (which I write & perform) that airs on urban radio stations Rhythm 105.9fm and the Just Wake Up Morning Show on WWRNfm.

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie

 Chapter 63 – Rollo Returns/MCNs
by Leesa Dean

Another super busy week with meetings, writing, editing or, as showrunner/creator extraordinaire Shonda Rhimes would say, “doing.” Feels great to be in the midst of all of this with little time for much else.

And right in the middle of it all, Rollo called.

For those who’ve just started following this blog, Rollo is a guy who contacted me right after I launched. A former senior level exec, he’s been out of work (mostly) for a number of years and trying to figure out a smart direction. He wanted to be attached to Chilltown, be involved in the web game and I ultimately decided to move on. We’ve (more or less) remained friends. His stories of late 90?s/early 2000?s excess, if nothing else, are fun to hear. We agreed to meet at my new favorite ramen place in Hell’s Kitchen for beers and soup. read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie

Chapter 62 – Pitching Tips
by Leesa Dean

right-handed-pitcher-md-copySo this week I went back in. Writing, editing, taking meetings, you know, the usual.

Strangely, the little bits of writer’s block I had been struggling with were totally gone. I think taking nearly a week off from writing just made me wanna do it more. Luckily.

Last week and this, my producing partner and I took a few meetings. Both were with people who have tons of production/directing experience in tv and the web. We wanted some good strong objective feedback on the TOP SECRET PROJECT we’ve been working on all year. read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie

funeral_flowers

Chapter 61 – Death and Writing
by Leesa Dean

This has been an insane week.

It kicked off with an old friend, one of my Bronx homeboys, suddenly and unexpectedly dying. Which, aside from the obvious (grief, funeral, reconnecting with people from back in the day), shifted things for me.

I’m normally a total workaholic. But, I wasn’t in much of a work mood. I cancelled my weekly radio show, so both stations played reruns. I only took a few meetings; ones that couldn’t be rescheduled. Spent a lot of time with his family. And a few days ago, went down to the park handball courts to practice tennis, smash a few balls around and take my mind off of things. Of course, as things turned out, this happened: read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie

ChangeChapter 59 – The More Things Change, The Less They Stay the Same
by Leesa Dean

Everything is in so much flux right now, not only with yesterday’s horrifying (yet expected) ruling on Net Neutrality, but with broadcast and cable tv, web series and film, it’s hard to plan. A year and a half ago, right before I officially launched and jumped into the fray, my path seemed pretty clear: launch my first series, get immersed in social media and take advantage of a ton of free resources and networking opportunities for web series creators like the events YouTube, Big Screen Little Screen and the IAWTV held. The goal was (and is) to build my brand/audience. And the way to do that seemed pretty clear cut.

Well, things change don’t they?

A year and half in, I’m no longer (mostly) participating in Big Screen Little Screen and the IAWTV. Why? For Big Screen Little Screen the answer is simple: They’re charging now. And not an insubstantial amount. It’s pretty easy to get venues to fork over space and get free speakers–I know; I used to do it all the time when I was producing panels for NY Women In Film and Television. Perhaps if Big Screen Little Screen had a different format that I found was invaluable, I’d pay the $20 or $25 to attend. But not after a number of years of getting nearly the exact same experience for free. read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie

Chapter 58 – Motion
by Leesa Dean

takumarzIntense week. Winding down production (to a degree) on the TOP SECRET PROJECT. When we’re done, next step is strategizing. Getting a game plan in motion. We’re a while off from that but I’m finding myself thinking about it constantly.

Meanwhile, aside from writing, which has FINALLY picked up (yay!!) after a small bout of writer’s block, I’ve been focusing a bit on cameras/directing.

And to that end two things happened this week: 1) I signed up for this and I can’t wait! After the production class I took, I really wanted to move to the next level and I think this will be really helpful. Only downside: the class is gonna be huge (it caps at 140 people) so there won’t be much hands on. However, I’ve heard great things about it and a lot of people whose blogs I follow and respect (like Phil Bloom) really recommend it. read article