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 Answers Your Question, “Does size matter?”

Adventures in Digital Series Land #105
by Leesa Dean

Ah, the age-old question: Does size matter?  Maybe not, according to the IAB.  And yes, I’m talking about online content. Specifically, how long episodes should be. This is a REALLY important consideration when you’re putting together a digital series.hmo-room-sizes-does-size-really-matter

For the past few years, the going practice was to have each episode be between 2-5 minutes long. Anything longer: a death knell.  And I kinda learned that the hard way.

When I started, I had absolutely no idea how long to make my episodes so each one ended up being between about 6-8 minutes. Or longer! My thinking was, it makes sense for vlogs to be shorter, but I wanted to show off my work. I was still thinking with a tv/cable mindset vs. a YouTube one. read article

Leesa Dean Gives Us “This Week’s Pep Talk”

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Adventures in Digital Series Land #104
by Leesa Dean

So yes, things have been intense.  Struggling with this script (but inching forward).  Animating the new series. Working on two new shows with my producing partner. Thinking about the script for the short.  And, being gripped with anxiety (sometimes).

Why? While I love love love the creative process, when you’re smack dab in the middle of things, it’s very hard to see the big picture.  You know, the “where is this leading to” big picture?

Well, the big picture involves a long journey. That happens with baby steps.  Which is hard when you’re broke, trying to get heard (pick me! pick me! pick me!!) and attempting to evolve into creative dopeness. Cause the odds are usually not in your favor.  And yes, usually is also a codeword for “sometimes never.” Sigh. read article

Leesa Dean Tells Us About “The Not-So-Secret Showrunners/Writers World on Twitter and How It Saved My Script”

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Adventures in Digital Series Land #103
by Lessa Dean

I’ve been working like a psycho. So busy, in fact, I blew off going to last night’s YouTube NYC’s chat with Pixar people, which really looked great (plus, I had an edit session). Here’s what I’ve up to:

Deep into animating the new series.  At this point, I’m *hoping* I’ll be done in about 2-3 months. Working on three new projects with my production partner.  We both were super busy/caught up in the winter and now are back working with a vengeance. It feels great and productive and I’m loving the projects.

Finally, working working working on rewrite/reimagining of a project I originally thought would be a digital series.  Now I’m thinking of it as a 1/2 hour original pilot script and the Not-So-Secret Showrunners/Writers World on Twitter saved it. Let me me explain. read article

Leesa Dean: Women & Hollywood – Big News

Adventures in Digital Series Land – Chapter 102
by Leesa Dean

lana-rosie2So really big news: The ACLU has asked the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate the systematic bias against women directors in Hollywood. They are saying it’s a violation of Title VII, which is part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prevents employers from discriminating based on gender.

As Melissa Silverstein, a feminist, advocate for women in Hollywood and Artistic Director of the Athena Film Festival said, “It’s about f*cking time!”

I hope they investigate the bias against women writers.  It’s not as tough as it is for female directors, but still tough.  Julie Bush, who wrote for Sons of Anarchy and is currently writing an action feature for Universal talks about it all the time on her twitter feed (and even holds chats on periscope where it’s a big topic of conversation). read article

Leesa Dean Tells Us About “Team Frederator”

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Adventures in Digital Series Land – Chapter 101
by Leesa Dean

So, the big news this week is: I signed with Channel Frederator Network.  I’m met Fred Seibert. He’s been at a number of NYC  animation and web events and we’ve had a chance to chat.  Been up to their offices (the old YouTube workshops were held there).  He authentically is really passionate about animation.  Which is a good thing. Before Frederator, he was at MTV and Hanna Barbera.

They reached out to me a while back and because I’ve been, in general, reluctant to sign with an MCN (multi-channel network for those of you not familiar with this digital series centric term), I took some time to really think it over.

The truth:  Their contract was way more artist-friendly than the other ones I’ve received (and I’ve been approached by a number of them, big and small), which essentially asked you to give up the right to show your youtube content on TV and other paid platforms in exchange for the exhilarating experience of saying you’re a member of that MCN (Translation: nothing, nadda, no money. Which is CRAZY!!!) read article