Web Files host, Kristyn Burtt, delves into the fascinating history of global fan favorite, EPIC FU, with the help of its host, Zadi Diaz, and her co-creator, Steve Woolf. In the realm of here-today, gone-tomorrow online content, how does EPIC FU stay so relevant?
Okay, all of you Legend of Neil fans have me baffled. Never in the 29 episode history of The Web Files have I received such interesting and rather, uh...odd feedback. Many of you are obsessed with the decor of Sandeep Parikh's apartment. From the oranges on the table to the decorations on the wall to the lack of decorations on the wall, you all had something to say. I think a lot of you want to help Sandeep out or maybe there are some ladies out there looking to add a woman's touch to the place. Regardless, Sandra did add the oranges to the table, a bit of color for the interview. I have no idea if Sandeep is looking for decorating tips, but hopefully, he will check out my blog and add his 2 cents. 
I had to watch this episode several times to refresh my memory about the behind the scenes action. I looked back at the calendar and realized that we shot the show on December 14th, 2009, so it was almost two months ago. It isn't often that we bank shows that far in advance, but we sometimes we have to work with shows that have deadlines like series premieres or finales. That is why you saw episodes with The Bannen Way and A Comicbook Orange before you ever saw Legend of Neil. Both episodes were shot in January well after Legend of Neil shoot, but they aired before the Sandeep/Tony episode in order to accommodate their season premieres. 
And yes, I did get a chance to wear Link's hat and check out all of The Legend of Neil props. I know there are a few jealous fans out there. So, that was a really fun treat for me. If you haven't seen the episode, check it out here: Legend of Neil.
Once we were let into the lobby, the concierge gave us a brief history of Club 33. It is decorated much like a Parisian hotel lobby right down to the lift that was replicated by Disney Imagineers. Americans are kind of chubby, so the lift only holds about 3 average sized people...maybe in France it would be 4 or 5 people. There is a set of stairs to the left of the lift, so half of us hiked it up while I rode the elevator to the top floor. 
Much of the decor was selected by Lillian Disney with lots of antiques like this harpsichord rumored to have been played by Elton John during a visit.
The infamous bar! Yes, this is the only place in the Disneyland park where you can drink. (California Adventure allows alcohol to be served in several restaurants.) The bartender was quite a character, but we enjoyed him because he said, "heavy price, heavy pour.". Yep, the drinks were strong and delicious.
Along the walls, there were beautiful wardrobe sketches from the movie, Mary Poppins, along with renderings of Disneyland back in the 1950's, and a fantastic photograph of Walt with Shirley Temple at the Academy Awards.
Tuesday night, I had the opportunity to cover the screening of Fall of Kaden and Blue Movies for 
In a field that has grown tremendously in the past 12 months, this was an excellent way to stand out in the crowd. Why not take a page from the Miramax Academy Award handbook? It worked for Shakespeare in Love at the Oscars in 1999 and I think it could work in the web series world as well. Rumors of screeners and postcards being sent to the IAWTV members abounds lately. What have you done to make your web series stand out during this crucial nomination time? 
Inside the screening room, IAWTV members and the rest of the audience were treated to a hilarious PSA/Streamy Consideration video hosted by the busiest host in the biz, Shira Lazar: For Your Consideration. Creativity is key and we saw that in abundance on Tuesday night. Two radically different web series coming together to produce an unforgettable night. Wisely, these shows do not fall in the same categories: Blue Movies is clearly a comedic look at the porn industry and Fall of Kaden has the grittiness and edginess to fall into the dramatic category.
Thank you to Marti Resteghini and David Samuels of Koldcast TV for giving me the opportunity to host their red carpet coverage for Fall of Kaden and Blue Movies. I will post the video here soon. Stay tuned!
Web Files' host, Kristyn Burtt, plays nice with Legend of Neil team, Sandeep Parikh and Tony Janning, creators of web series gold.
Cupcakes, yes, more cupcakes. I think it is starting to become a theme here at The Web Files. I'm going to blame this one on Casey McKinnon though. She agreed to an interview in exchange for a double chocolate cupcake. How could I say "no" to that? You ask for cupcakes, you will get cupcakes. So, now we have a Web Files cupcake trilogy with Tay Zonday, MERRIme.com, and A Comicbook Orange.
I think the other important thing to note about A Comicbook Orange is how much it has grown. If you look back at the first episode compared to the season premiere of Season 5, you will see the production values go up, the tighter editing and writing, and the strong show flow. A Comicbook Orange has found a good rhythm. In order to be a long running show, you have to change, adapt, and develop with the space and the viewers. I think Casey and Rudy are amazing examples of that. 
On the cutting room floor for this episode was a greater discussion on what it is like to have representation in this field. George Ruiz of ICM represents the duo and the show, but I think it is important for web content creators to understand how the relationship works in new media. For an actor, it is a more simple process: an agent represents you, you go on an audition that they secure for you, you either book it or don't book it, and then you might get some feedback from the casting director. In new media, it is about finding the right sponsors, distributors, partners, for each person and show. I think it is a more delicate balance and ongoing developing partnership in new media. 
