This teaser for the upcoming Hulu original series, ROCKETJUMP actually teased us. So:
Get an inside look at our next show with Lionsgate and Hulu!
The full show will be up on Hulu, but you’ll be able to see the shorts later this year right here!
Category: Web Series
“Why I Make Films & Don’t Just Write Them”
by Hank Isaac
There is absolutely no way you can guarantee that someone listening to your pitch will see the same film in his head that you do. No way. Everyone comes with preconceived notions about most things. How can you possibly know what they are? Answer: You can’t.
A decade ago, I pitched a high-adventure aviation film featuring a young female protagonist. Five words into my pitch, the producer said, “Nah, that’s just like [name of film].” Well in fact, it was nothing like [name of film]. The only similarity was that the lead was a young female who happened to fly something at some point, and there were also other humans in the story. That’s it. And yet, the producer had categorized all films within that exceedingly narrow spectrum as “the same.” No, actually, “identical.”
It would have been easier to talk my way out of a Middle Eastern border dispute than to convince him otherwise.
Leesa Dean’s Tale of Promotional Woe
Adventures in Digital Series Land #111
by Leesa Dean
First, I’m finally over the hump. Meaning, about to start production on the last part of this new series. Something that should take about 6 – 8 weeks. Yes, I’m psyched! Also, a little scared. Not only about putting myself on the line again, but just the sheer volume of work ahead just promoting it is intimidating. I’m prepping so much stuff with so many plans I can barely see straight. But, it’s necessary. And I’m taking my cues from the big guys (even though I’m doing this on a minuscule level).
So what are the big guys doing? Continuing to blur the lines between cable, tv and digital. If you’ve been on another planet (or, ahem, haven’t happened to read this blog where I rant and rave about it), things are now in full effect with execs and creatives from digital moving into cable and tv positions and visa versa. And what that means for shows and series is: more and more content is being produced online to help promote shows. I thought it was really telling that The Daily Show with Trevor Noah hired Baratunde Thurston as a Supervising Producer for Digital.
Thurston has been at the forefront of all things digital content (he was the Director of Digital at The Onion) for many years plus, he did this which forever earned him my respect. It’s a big step for a show that’s that high profile, especially since all eyes will be watching Noah to see if he fills Jon Stewart’s shoes, to hire somebody with those specific internet credentials–someone who easily straddles both worlds but really and truly understands promoting on the internet–to set things up on twitter, instagram and snapshot.
Larry Brody sees SH%T SOUTHERN WOMAN SAY
by Larry Brody
Having known quite a few Southern women in my time, I found myself attracted to this series as soon as I read the title. And guess what? It turned out to be amazingly well done. Very well written. Very well acted. Well shot.
In other words, no shit here, amigos.
Leesa Dean on Shooting Yourself in the Foot
Adventures in Digital Series Land – Chapter 110
by Leesa Dean
Been working like a psycho, trying to bang out these mini-episodes and it’s been tough. Wanna have 35 in the can before I return to final animation production on the new series—hopefully within 2 1/2 weeks. It’s a lot.
Meanwhile, in the midst of all of this, I spoke with a friend whose script recently made it into the first round of a prestigious competition. She wrote about it on Facebook and when I congratulated her, she minimized the achievement. That mini act of self-deprecation stopped me in my tracks and I thought I’d write about it. Mostly cause it’s something I used to do all the time. Until recently.
Why? Three reasons: