Tag: Leesa Dean

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie, Chapter 9 – Good Things!

leleontheair

by Leesa Dean

So before I get into the Rollo story, wanted to talk about some more exciting stuff that’s happening. First, Lele (the actual character) was tapped to do a weekly radio segment! This is how it happened. I’ve been twitter friends with Gigi Capone for while. She has a radio show in Yuba City, Cali called the Business Report on KRYC Rhythm 105.9 Fm . She interviewed me for the show and afterwards, we started talking. I mentioned that HNS Mag is doing a feature on Chilltown/Lele’s Ratchet Advice Show and they’re putting Leleon the cover! Gigi loved the idea and said, “Why don’t you have Lele host the 60 Second Wrap-Up?” I jumped at the chance. A cartoon character hosting a radio segment?! For those of you who don’t know, I not only write and animate Lele, but also voice her. So I wrote the segment, recorded it and she loved it. One thing led to another and my first show was yesterday, April 11th. Every week on Thursdays at 4pm PST, Lele will be doing her comedic spin on entertainment and gossip–all in 60 seconds. It’s really gonna be a blast. And, can’t wait to show you guys the HNS cover. I did a special illustration for it. It drops at the end of April.

Also, more in the collab department. Been so incredibly busy, it’s hard to keep up with everything but am in the planning stages of a number of collabs plus Chilltown/Lele spin-offs (yes, the Lele show is already a spin-off so this would be…a spin-off off?) There’s one in particular I wanna mention. read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie, Chapter 8

chilltowntvmeme2

by Leesa Dean

A lot of exciting stuff is going on. The biggie: Chilltown was listed by ABCNews/Univision as Web Series That Should Be On Your Radar!!!!! And we got an incredible review! Ecstatically happy about it. Also, did a ton of fun radio including Geek Soul Brother,Educated Insanity (on ChicagolandsportsRadio), The Bobby Pickles Show and KRYC Rhythm 105.9 FM !! Also released Episode 6 of Chilltown and people are telling me they love it. In spite of all that, there’s still a bit of frustration that always boils down to the same thing: How can I get more people to watch? We’re still a very tiny show in an enormous pool. Have a lot of plans in place for additional shows and specials that (hopefully) will make a little noise. But it’s a tough tough game. Much tougher than I expected. But, in all, a really good week.

And I heard from Rollo. Last Friday, went to another YouTube meeting and it was great! Met some cool people plus got to see the YouTube studios at Next New Networks NYC. Very exciting. They have a couple of green screen studios with pro lights and cameras. Some of the collabs I’m involved with will probably be done there. Part of the meeting involved having a tour and being shown the ropes (a prerequisite to using their space.) Their computers are probably a billion times faster than mine, so can’t wait to do some editing there. A guy name Chris Chan Roberson runs stuff there and he’s great. They had pizza and drinks after and everybody was schmoozing and just like clockwork right towards the end, my phone rings. Guess who? Rollo happens to be in the area and we meet. read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie: Chapter 6 – Things Fall Apart


Adventures of a Web Series Newbie: Chapter 6 - Things Fall Apart

by Leesa Dean

Ok. Before I continue with the Rollo saga I’m gonna kick this off with first, saying R.I.P. to brilliant writer Chinua Achebe who just passed away and second, a few random unrelated observations from the trenches:

1) The word “genius” is bandied about at an alarming rate.
2) I’ve yet to meet anybody who’s an actual genius since I’ve started. Smart, yes. Genius, no.
3) Doing a web series is similar to having a serious disease in that when it jumps off, you find out pretty quickly who your real friends are. And the results, at least for me, have been surprising. And sometimes depressing.
4) When someone says they want to “build” with you, it’s usually a codeword for, “you’re never ever getting paid.”

So Rollo, that’s what you came for, right? read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie – Chapter 5

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Penny For Your Thoughts?
by Leesa Dean

Things keep moving. Rollo and I talk a couple of times a week, mostly on the phone. He’s working on another project that just sounds huge. Two VERY MAJOR CELEBRITIES are attached. It’s a movie. It’s sci-fi. It involves a franchise. He got in through the back door because of his connects. What’s his participation?  Well, that’s a little nebulous. Yet, it’s thrilling. He’s like Scheherazade, spinning out tales of hope. If things work out like that for him, how incredible is it gonna be for me!

He admits he’s treading water financially. How does he support himself? I don’t even wanna guess. It would pierce my expectations and I know that. He’s not the only iron I have in the fire, in fact, he’s just one teensy one, but his stories and the potential weight they carry are mesmerizing. read article

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie: Chapter 4 – Can’t Knock The Hustle?

Adventures of a Web Series Newbie - Chapter 4: Can't Knock The Hustle?
Continued from, um, last time

 by Leesa Dean

So Rollo appears. Carrying a grande-sized coffee. Sits down. Orders another coffee. I’m transfixed. He looks different than I pictured (though admittedly, his pix are kinda obscured online.) Initial observations:

1) He’s rocking the burnt-out boho look: Paunchy. Hunched over a bit (from all those hours playing WoW, I’m thinking?) Longish, silver-tinged dreads with a pronounced bald spot. Filmy, aberrant, slightly chipped grayish teeth. A black motorcycle jacket that’s seen better days.  Overall?  Kinda got that Catch a Predator meets Crown Heights stylee. read article