Whoa! An animated rock operetta web series! We love this. Way to go, STEVE’S QUEST team!
Try it. The animation’s kinda so-so, but the music has RENT beat:
Category: Indie Film & Video
Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie
Chapter 56 – Changes and R.I.P. Net Neutrality
by Leesa Dean
I’ve been working on four projects this year that have been incredibly time-intensive. One is nearly done, two are in the planning (pre-outline) stages and I’m currently writing the fourth (which is Season Two of the Lele Show). It is VERY hard to do all of that, but I feel really strongly about each one.
I had originally thought I’d do 33 episodes of the Lele Show for Season Two which is an enormous amount of work and truthfully, I’ve been a little stuck. Mostly cause it’s a lot to do and my time is fairly limited (the one that’s nearly done, the TOP SECRET PROJECT, is very time intensive).
This week, I decided to bring that episode number down to 20 and also do some ancillary material. It’s still a lot to write, but just cutting the episode number down made me go over my season story arc and tighten it up, which felt great and confirmed the decision. It’s now leaner and juicier. And, more importantly, it takes some pressure off. I’m now looking at October for a relaunch and between finishing writing and production, I’m hoping that’s realistic.
Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie
Chapter 55 – Cutting the Cord and Shopping
by Leesa Dean
Last week, my friend Janet invited me to a networking event on the Lower East Side. Janet’s a journalist who specializes in writing about advertising (patricianly with respect to tv) and an aspiring screenwriter. She’s currently thinking of putting together her first short. She’s looking for a director/crew. I was having a little writer’s block so figured, why not.
The event was put together by an organization called Big Vision, Empty Wallet that’s pretty cool. They have a ton of resources for indie producers/filmmakers. You can subscribe and get good deals through them (on software, rental equipment, events, etc.) or just join their email list (which I did after attending the event).
I met a lot of people there who were all involved in one way or another with film projects. Some had web series. Essentially it was a big schmooze fest.
Peer Production: PIVOT POINT
Who says that the interwebs can’t take on traditional genres and do just as good (or bad?) a job as network TV? If you’re a cop procedural fan, then this is the series for you. Every beloved writing and directorial cliche, plus a dash of interweb tastelessness to add “realism.”
And you thought we automatically loved every web series. Ha!
Of course we could be wrong. Have a look for yourself and let us know whatcha think:
Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie
Chapter 54 – Navigating Hollywood 101: Just Say No
by Leesa Dean
Last week, a print issue of The Hollywood Reporter showed up in my mailbox. I didn’t subscribe, yet somehow got on the list. That’s right. For FREE!! The comedy gods are either smiling at or mocking me.
The first article I noticed really hit home. It was about the nearly universal way Hollywood executives reject pitches (or you, for that matter). Versus saying “no” or the old school standby, “Wow. This is great! We really really love it. Unfortunately, we’re not doing, uh, anything that involves writing this year”, instead, they just POOF! vanish into thin air. That’s right. You never hear from them. Possibly ever again. You know, kinda like, “He said (sob), he was going out for a pack of cigarettes and I NEVER HEARD FROM HIM AGAIN.” Only worse, cause it’s your career. Or, in some cases, “career”.
This applies to phone calls, emails, texts and, most notably, flinging yourself into someone’s office and begging (i.e. pitching.)