Category: Indie Film & Video

Leesa Dean: The Death of ‘Web Series?’

Adventures of a Web Series Newbie – Chapter 97
by Leesa Dean

rip-spokeo-info-bubble-copyShort post this week cause I’m totally swamped prepping for production, which will officially start in a few weeks. Plus, doing research and outlining two new pilots for two new series.

This week, there was an article in Filmmaker Magazine about the term “Web Series” and how it, generally, has a negative connotation. Most people seem to equate it with people who are either emerging (which is true) or haven’t made it in Hollywood (partially true). The article suggests changing it to something better/hipper/less damning.

It’s true that people tend to roll their eyes when you say you do a web series. But, in my experience, industry people don’t (especially if you’ve made a little noise).  Cause they know how much comes from online.  I mean, just this week Brent Weinstein who started the digital media department at powerhouse agency UTA (and reps a number of web series creators including Felicia Day) made partner.  A first.  And a statement. read article

Web Series: MAN JAM

man-jam
If this doesn’t inspire you to make your own web series – or at least start a band – nothing will!

This is good. It’s really fucking good.

No, we’re not showing you the first episode because it’s the weakest of the 6 episode first series. But have a look at this preview:

Director(s): Matt Carmody
Writer(s): Matt Carmody, Boyd Vico
Actor(s): Drew Powell, Matt Carmody, Justin Wade, Joe Pascual, Megan Albertus read article

Leesa Dean: Build It & They Might Come

diversity

Adventures of a Web Series Newbie – Chapter 96
by Leesa Dean

Last week there was a much talked about article in Deadline about the new WGA study that confirmed what most of us already know: That most tv writing jobs go to white guys in their 40’s.  And that women and minorities have “actually lost ground as compared to their white male counterparts.”

Great.

Yes, we need people out there advocating and changing things from within tv networks and shows.  Networks need an overhaul.  Not just in terms of the content they’re showing but in terms of staff.  People of color and women need to not only have their voices heard creatively but need to be able to pitch to more people of color and woman who understand where they’re coming from (it’s already been established the audience exists–look at Empire) and help shepherd diverse authentic through the development and production process. read article

Hank Isaac: Underfunded Overachievers – The Crafting of “Lilac” #6

The Lilac Gang

by Hank Isaac

When our daughter was eight, she read Tom Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October. Yes, I said, “Read.” The film had not yet been made. Was this book aimed at an elementary school readership? I doubt it. Did she enjoy it? Yes, quite a bit.

My point is this: Writing to a specific demographic is stifling. Presuming a story must have certain elements and not have certain elements for a children’s audience, a teen audience, a male audience, a female audience… well, you get the idea… is foolish. There is no way of knowing for certain what it is about a character or story that will touch an audience. Filmed stories so often underestimate their audience that one begins to wonder if they’re written by accountants who’ve been stranded on a remote island most of their lives.

What’s important to me is to create the characters I want to create and then write their story. If I start worrying about whether I’m going to offend someone or scare someone, both my characters and their story risk being severely hobbled. read article

The Most Useful YouTube Resources for New Video Producers

More production companies than ever are perusing online videos for new talent, gang. Taking advantage of this situation could be one of the most important steps you make into your future:

youtube

by Eric Ravenscraft

You don’t need a huge production budget to make YouTube videos. As the site’s grown in popularity, though, you’re much more likely to get noticed with better quality. Fortunately, YouTube itself has plenty of tools to help stand out and make videos worth watching.

Learn YouTube Best Practices with Creator Academy read article