At last! The interwebs have their own BORED TO DEATH, with SILVER LAKE DETECTIVE, a web series that combines film noir (00h, it’s in black and white) and hipsters in L.A.
A great example of creative film making on a miniscule budget. Director Aaron Toft obviously remembers every movie shot he ever saw, and uses them wisely.
Chapter 59 – The More Things Change, The Less They Stay the SameEverything is in so much flux right now, not only with yesterday’s horrifying (yet expected) ruling on Net Neutrality, but with broadcast and cable tv, web series and film, it’s hard to plan. A year and a half ago, right before I officially launched and jumped into the fray, my path seemed pretty clear: launch my first series, get immersed in social media and take advantage of a ton of free resources and networking opportunities for web series creators like the events YouTube, Big Screen Little Screen and the IAWTV held. The goal was (and is) to build my brand/audience. And the way to do that seemed pretty clear cut.
Well, things change don’t they?
A year and half in, I’m no longer (mostly) participating in Big Screen Little Screen and the IAWTV. Why? For Big Screen Little Screen the answer is simple: They’re charging now. And not an insubstantial amount. It’s pretty easy to get venues to fork over space and get free speakers–I know; I used to do it all the time when I was producing panels for NY Women In Film and Television. Perhaps if Big Screen Little Screen had a different format that I found was invaluable, I’d pay the $20 or $25 to attend. But not after a number of years of getting nearly the exact same experience for free.
We’re suckers for any production that has a jazz soundtrack, but this brilliant animated short doesn’t need its music to make us fans of its creator, AlfredImageWorks. Watching this is like having the most enjoyable animation lesson possible – and in only 5 minutes.
Oh, wait. We just discovered the makers of this work are pros. In Korea. Well, who better to teach us about animation than professionals in a country that probably does the animation work on at least 50% of our favorite animated TV shows?
Intense week. Winding down production (to a degree) on the TOP SECRET PROJECT. When we’re done, next step is strategizing. Getting a game plan in motion. We’re a while off from that but I’m finding myself thinking about it constantly.
Meanwhile, aside from writing, which has FINALLY picked up (yay!!) after a small bout of writer’s block, I’ve been focusing a bit on cameras/directing.
And to that end two things happened this week: 1) I signed up for this and I can’t wait! After the production class I took, I really wanted to move to the next level and I think this will be really helpful. Only downside: the class is gonna be huge (it caps at 140 people) so there won’t be much hands on. However, I’ve heard great things about it and a lot of people whose blogs I follow and respect (like Phil Bloom) really recommend it.
munchman sez: “Oh, man, do I wish I’d made this.” Or at least seen it, you know, in time:
“Oh wait – I did!” (The seeing it in time thing anyway.)