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 13

lelecoverhnsYou Have to be THIS Big to Ride
by Leesa Dean

So first: big news this week, the HNS cover finally went live! It really is thrilling to see your work on the cover of a magazine for the first time. The issue will be live soon and when it is, I’ll post the full article.

Been running around to a tons of meetings and workshops. Did another great workshop at YouTube with Chris Chan Roberson. It’s getting very exciting cause in about a month, I’m finally starting production on the collaborations and the workshops address using the lighting and equipment in the studios. A lot to absorb, but very very cool. Unfortunately, the workshop was the same night as Big Screen Little Screen, so couldn’t attend, but I’ll be going back next month.

Also, was interviewed on Da Flava Radio. They asked me to do a monthly Lele segment on their show. They air in Atlanta and Gambia in Africa! Pretty cool. They’re also picking up Lele’s 60 Second Wrap-Up so, starting late June it’ll officially be on three radio stations! read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie – Chapter 12

Adventures of a Web Series Newbie - Chapter 12: Busy!Busy
by Leesa Dean

Another really exciting week. Working simultaneously on four different shows (will be able to write more about some of them soon) plus continuing with Chilltown and theLele show. Thought I was busy before, but man….Sometimes I feel so stretched out I don’t know how I’m gonna come up with new ideas, but luckily, I haven’t had writer’s block.  Yet. I know a few people going through it right now and it ain’t pretty!  So some odds and ends:

First, HNS Mag, which caters to up-and-coming hip-hop artists, loves both Chilltown and Lele’s Ratchet Advice Show. They did article about the shows, thought it would be a cool idea to have Lele pose, pin-up style and asked if I’d be into putting something together. I’m very protective about my brand and didn’t want to do something that was really salacious–Lele’s just not that type of girl. I mean, literally. Her character would never pose naked in Playboy or do something really vulgar. The premise of her show is to make fun of stuff like that.

Ended up doing a draft of her posing a la Marilyn Monroe, wearing a halter top and cut-offs. They loved it! And they’re putting it on the COVER (will post when it’s out!!) Needless to say, very excited about it. They have a fair-sized circulation and I’m hoping it brings more brand awareness. read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie – Chapter 11

Adventures of a Web Series Newbie - Chapter 11: New Beginnings?New Beginnings
by Leesa Dean

So, last week went to a very cool animation panel that was put together by YouTube. It was in the Google offices, they had tons of great munchies and Fred Seibert (the head of Frederator) and Simon (from Simon’s Cats) were there. Fred is a heavyweight in the business. He was MTV’s first creative director back in the day, which is saying a lot. He’s really responsible for, pretty much, creating the brand. He also started Nick-At-Nite and was President of Hanna Barbera (home of Underdog, The Flintstones and other iconic cartoons.) Frederator, of course, is a really huge cartoon presence on the internet (and tv.) He talked about his shows and production. It was pretty interesting to hear that they actually produce some of their cartoons the way TV Networks do (meaning a creative team here in the States and other work farmed out to Korea or India.)

In particular, he talked about Bravest Warriors, which is a hit for them. I never imagined that internet shows would have budgets that big. As an indie animator/producer, I’m used to doing everything myself for no money. And ad dollars, even with millions of views, can’t really pay for a show produced on that level, unless you have some great branding thing going on…I think. I’m guessing (and this is a total guess) that his other shows on cable and broadcast are so successful, they can, in part, finance the internet shows, which is, to me, a very very smart gamble/business move if that’s the way he’s rocking it.

Next up was Simon from the wildly successful, Simon’s Cats. Turns out he also has a ton of experience as an animator. Simon’s Cat was just something he thought up for fun and it took off (millions of views, book sales, etc.) Now he directs and has an animator who does all the work. Just one animator. I was particularly impressed with the quality of the work. It’s simple but incredibly fluid. read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie, Chapter 10 – Don’t F*ck With Mr. Zero

by Leesa Dean

What a week! The good, the bad, the ugly!

eastwood_good_ugly

So, in reverse order, first the ugly: Boston.Wow. It was shocking, surreal and awful to read about. As someone who lived through 9/11 in New York City and knew a number of people who were killed, it was particularly tough and scary. I have a few friends who live in Boston and luckily, no one I know was hurt. My heart goes out to the victims and everyone directly affected. My thoughts definitely are with with them. And while I normally write about web series stuff here, I felt I had to mention it. read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie, Chapter 8

chilltowntvmeme2

by Leesa Dean

A lot of exciting stuff is going on. The biggie: Chilltown was listed by ABCNews/Univision as Web Series That Should Be On Your Radar!!!!! And we got an incredible review! Ecstatically happy about it. Also, did a ton of fun radio including Geek Soul Brother,Educated Insanity (on ChicagolandsportsRadio), The Bobby Pickles Show and KRYC Rhythm 105.9 FM !! Also released Episode 6 of Chilltown and people are telling me they love it. In spite of all that, there’s still a bit of frustration that always boils down to the same thing: How can I get more people to watch? We’re still a very tiny show in an enormous pool. Have a lot of plans in place for additional shows and specials that (hopefully) will make a little noise. But it’s a tough tough game. Much tougher than I expected. But, in all, a really good week.

And I heard from Rollo. Last Friday, went to another YouTube meeting and it was great! Met some cool people plus got to see the YouTube studios at Next New Networks NYC. Very exciting. They have a couple of green screen studios with pro lights and cameras. Some of the collabs I’m involved with will probably be done there. Part of the meeting involved having a tour and being shown the ropes (a prerequisite to using their space.) Their computers are probably a billion times faster than mine, so can’t wait to do some editing there. A guy name Chris Chan Roberson runs stuff there and he’s great. They had pizza and drinks after and everybody was schmoozing and just like clockwork right towards the end, my phone rings. Guess who? Rollo happens to be in the area and we meet. read article