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

Chilltown-TV-tvwriter.comI’m a Loser, Baby, So Why Don’t You Kill Me?
by Leesa Dean

Ok. A lot to write about so I’m holding off writing about Rollo till next week cause this is more important. I got a fairly big response to last week’s post about developing a thick skin. A few people actually wrote in saying how they were scared to move forward with projects for a lot of the reasons I addressed.

Coincidentally, a few days ago TVWriter, a great site that has TONS of resources/articles/competitions for people interested in writing for TV (and yes, they’ve been a huge supporter of Chilltown), had a link to an article in Inc. magazine that addressed another aspect of it: the very real fear of failure, especially when you’re starting out and things are rough and you are, in fact, failing. One of the things that really hit home for me was identifying so much with your work, any rejection or failure is a rejection of you personally.

I had to get over that. Quickly. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have had some minor success (so far) as a creative. But I’ve had WAY more rejection. Everybody goes through it. It’s tough to take. And it’s way worse when you look at rejection as a personal indictment. That all you are is your work and if your work is rejected, you’re nothing. With all the rejection you go through as a creative person, believe me, taking things that personally is a one way ticket to Bellevue where the only plus is you’ll be too depressed to complain about the lousy hospital food. read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie

trolls-tvwriter.comChapter 27 – There Will Be Trolls
by Leesa Dean

Most people have, at times, had to battle that inner little voice that tells you you’re not good enough, you’re not talented enough, you’ll never truly make it. Welcome to the internet where that little voice is now not only in your head, but in the comments section of your videos for all the world to see.

Everybody’s gone through it. Everybody. When I went to an all day YouTube workshop a number of months back, it included a panel with some of the biggest YouTube stars there are. Half of what they discussed had to do with trolls who comment. The bigger you get, the more trolls you get. It’s inevitable. So how do you deal with it?

You could: read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie

keep-calm-i-am-backChapter 26 – I’m BAAACCCCKKK!!
by Leesa Dean

So. Back after a couple of weeks hiatus. Been on vacation, which for me means only working about 40 hours a week. And taking weekends off. It’s been great. Actually got to play a lot of tennis (I’m a huge tennis fanatic, albeit relative beginner.)
When I first launched 10 months ago, I jumped in with both feet, not knowing anything. Now I know slightly more. I normally put in, easily, 12-15 hours a day, seven days a week. While it was exhilarating (mostly), it was also exhausting. I needed the break.

During the hiatus I was working on the TOP SECRET PROJECT plus putting down ideas for the Chilltown and Lele’s Advice relaunch. Initially I thought I’d be ready in the Fall. More likely it’ll happen in winter. I just started writing some of the new Lele shows. I’m doing 36 new ones–a huge amount of work. Just structuring the new season outline is making me cross-eyed. And trying to get my ducks in a row for the Chilltown relaunch.

Plus, now that Labor Day’s over, the calls are coming back in. Meetings being set up. Next week, I go to another Big Screen Little Screen plus have two new interviews set up. And, on top of it all, who do I hear from? You guessed it. Rollo. We have drinks planned. Can’t wait to hear what he’s been up to after all this time (actually, I’m kinda scared to hear what he’s been up to!) Back to being uber-busy. It feels good.

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie

a3c2013-experience-film

Chapter 25: A3C!!!!
by Leesa Dean

As I mentioned last week, Chilltown is an official selection in this year’s A3C Film Festival. A3C is the biggest hip-hop festival in the world. And it’s focus is underground/indie hip-hop. A lot of people come from indie hip-hop–Jay Z, Kanye West, 50 Cent, just for starters. When I launched Chilltown, I reached out to the underground hip-hop community. I felt/hoped people would embrace it. And they did! Being an official selection is probably the biggest thing that happened for Chilltown so far.  Part of the lesson for me:  niche.  I didn’t think “niche” when I originally reached out to the underground/inidie hip-hop community initially.  I just thought, “this is the kind of music I love, I hope other fans relate and respond to my work.”

I was told A3C averages 10,000-50,000 people, which is huge. They also do press, so I’m hoping to use this to not only bring more awareness to Chilltown, but also to get people interested in the relaunch.

This is the second year for the Film Festival and other films that are screening are some really cool documentaries, including the world premiere of Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton, which is about Stone’s Throw Records, one of hip-hop’s biggest. The festival is produced in collaboration with the Atlanta Film Festival. read article

Leesa Dean: Good News and Bad News

Adventures of a Web Series Newbie – Chapter 24:
by Leesa Dean

oneofthosedaysThis week I’ve been so incredibly busy, I only have time for a short post. As promised, part of this week’s entry is about The Contract. And yes, that is the bad news.

As I mentioned last week, I got another contract offer. This one, from a FB “friend” who in-boxed me and asked how Chilltown was coming along. “Well,” I told her. She said, “Look, have you ever thought about publishing Chilltown as a book? I have a friend who has a small publishing company. He’s looking for writers and I thought of you. I think you’d be a good match. While he’s small, he really can make things happen.”

While I have no plans to do that for Chilltown, I am, actually working on a book. But I also have a pretty enhanced bullsh*t meter and, sadly, I felt this message not only triggered it, it was pretty close to an 11 (yeah, most things that seem too good to be true usually are.) Out of curiosity, though, I said, “While I’m not in the market right now, why don’t you send me some links. Down the line, I might be.” read article