Web TV Week: A Comicbook Orange

The week is moving by so quickly with only two days left before the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards.  So, we've touched upon some great categories, but it's time to feature one of the Best Hosted Web Series nominees, A Comicbook Orange.  The Web Files sat down with Rudy Jahchan and Casey McKinnon earlier in the year.  Like Epic Fu, the creators of A Comicbook Orange have had a unique and ambitious journey and it is fantastic to see where they have landed in Season 5.  So, go back to our Web Files interview with A Comicbook Orange, and let's see what happens on Sunday, Clicker gave them some pretty good odds in their category:

Episode: A Comicbook Orange

Behind the Scenes Blog: A Comicbook Orange

Behind the Scenes with Taryn Southern

So, how do you not admire Taryn Southern?  Seriously, she sold her first project at the age of twenty.  Well, I am impressed.  My joke has always been that Shira Lazar is the busiest woman in the web industry, but Taryn sure is rivaling her.  I am thrilled that we have been able to feature some ambitious and successful young women in the web series industry on The Web Files: from the names you know like Shira, Taryn, Zadi Diaz, and Casey McKinnon to the up and coming producers like Kai Soremekun.  You all make me proud that this sector of the entertainment industry encourages the creativity and freedom that other sectors of the biz sometimes hinder.

We were able to shoot in Taryn's gorgeous apartment somewhere in LA where many of you have watched her broadcast her UStream show.  I first came across Taryn at last year's Streamy Awards where she was nominated for Best Female Actor in a Comedy Web Series for Private High Musical.  While I did not have the chance to interview her, I interviewed her cast including Dennis Haskins and you might see Craig Frank in the background. (I think this is where the idea for The Craig Frank Show was born.)  To say that Taryn does it all would be an understatement:  she acts, sings, writes, produces, hosts, am I forgetting something?  So, our interview focused on her journey through web television and where she is headed next.  If you want to be a part of her next project, go visit her Kickstarter page and pledge to fund her next project, Among the Stars, a mixed media film.

For those of you who have already watched the interview, you might think, "You forgot to ask about the viral video Wrong Hole!".  No, we didn't forget.  It was edited for time. I would never, ever not deliver a clip, especially when Scott Baio is involved.  I am a huge fan of Chachi. So here's a little Red Closet exclusive clip on that part of the interview:




Finally, Taryn's favorite little guy, Bart, is going to be an internet superstar.  Find out her hamster's next project in his 28 seconds of Web Files fame. Yep, she has the whole family working in the web industry.  Bart's a celebrity hamster!



If you haven't seen our interview with Taryn Southern, what are you waiting for?
Taryn Southern interview

Behind the Scenes of Epic Fu

I was really looking forward to shooting this episode because Zadi Diaz and Steve Woolf were the winners of last year's Streamy Award for "Best Hosted Web Series".  Their journey to the top has been an interesting ride and one that web series creators need to pay attention to.  While they have had amazing success with production deals at Next New Networks and Revision3, they were not immune to the economic downturn.  They currently find themselves on their own as they grow Epic Fu as a brand.  The independence allows them the freedom to try new ideas and allow the interactivity of the show rise to a new level.  While they are continuing their focus on film and music, watch as they grow over the next year or so.  Their longevity in the web space is something that I admire and Epic Fu is one of the shows that has set a high standard in the Hosted Web Series world.  

                                  

We shot in their downtown loft which serves as the new backdrop to the show.  The first thing I noticed was Steve Woolf's artwork.  His incredible pieces line the walls and add the perfect compliment to their decor.  I don't know if he sells his work, but it's worth checking into it if you are looking for unique and significant pieces in your home.  Steve and Zadi were such a treat to interview.  They are smart, kind, and really thoughtful about their place in the web space.  The interactive aspect of their show, Mix, is a place where hardcore fans interact about the show, new music, pop culture, and even debate with Steve and Zadi.  

                              

I love that Steve took all of these behind the scenes photos because you get a great look at our crew.  They sometimes like to hide from the camera, but they are crucial to making The Web Files the show that it is.  You get some glimpses of makeup artist, Melissa Anchondo, our PA/Renaissance Woman, Jenn Bobiwash, and DP/Editor, Perry Payne.  Also joining us for the first time was stylist, Katelin Flanigan, who dressed me from head to toe for the episode. She is a great additional to the team because no one is a bigger fashionista!  So, if you see that I am dressing better in upcoming episodes, thank Katelin.  (And we will get her on set photo soon.  She's a beautiful, statuesque blonde, you will love her!)

                                  

Finally, a kind shout out to Miss Casey McKinnon for putting us in touch with Zadi and Steve.  Without suggestions, connections, and feedback, we would not have access to some of the shows we interview.  So, please keep the dialogue and comments coming.  You can always leave a comment here or visit me on Twitter .  

If you missed the episode, check it out here: Epic Fu

Later today, a new episode of The Web Files with Woody Tondorf, Ben Pace, and Genevieve Jones of Elevator. 

Behind the scenes photos courtesy of Steve Woolf.

Behind the Scenes of Legend of Neil

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.

**UPDATE** I have a clarification and a turn of events.......Sandra DID NOT add the bowl of oranges, Sandeep DID! So, he is the one who added a bit of color to his coffee table and I think that is a lovely decorating idea. So, maybe the naysayers should be taking tips from Sandeep? I am calling this on DecoratorGate 2010!

On to more important things, the interview! I think Sandeep was very clear that while his show is higher profile than some of the other web series out there, it is not a huge money maker. He sells merchandise to supplement the production costs for the show. While we didn't see all of that during the episode, you will notice a pile of shirts to my right during the show and the t-shirt I wear during the opening. Another question that wound up on the editing room floor that I think is really important to ponder: "Would their show been as successful today on YouTube as it was back in 2007 when they first launched?" Tony Janning responded with an honest, "I don't know." It is a huge challenge to launch a web series on YouTube because the site is so saturated with content. It is tough to stand out amongst the crowd. Now, Legend of Neil was going to be successful, regardless of YouTube, but it may have taken more time to find an audience had they launched it in 2010.

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.

Wednesday brings our first episode of The Web Files Buzz featuring "the buzz about the biz....the web series biz". Highlights include the red carpet of the IAWTV screening of Fall of Kaden and Blue Movies, checking out Brittney Powell's Safety Geek:SVI calendar, and a set visit to the upcoming web series, SOLO the Series by Jonathan Nail.

Finally, a shout out to Casey McKinnon for kicking all of the boys' butts in January. We had a male heavy slate with Dorm Life, The Fine Brothers, and The Bannen Way in the month of January. Little Casey's episode of A Comicbook Orange not only exceeded our expectations, but the views on that episode are HUGE. I like seeing a female whooping some ass in the industry. Congratulations, Casey and Rudy!

Behind the Scenes of A Comicbook Orange

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.

This was our very first shoot in 2010 and we headed on over to their apartment which doubles as a studio for A Comicbook Orange. Rudy and Casey's story is a fascinating one since they did not follow a traditional route into new media and film. Casey worked for a "dicklomat" (you must watch the episode until the end to understand this.) when they came up with some grand ideas for starting their own online network. Yes, I said NETWORK. I find that so darn ambitious and impressive, don't you? In the interview, you will see how that worked out for them, but it inspired the beginnings of Galacticast and A Comicbook Orange. It is also interesting to note that Casey was not the original host. Find out in the interview who was the face of the show first.

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.

Finally, the cupcakes! Valley-dwellers, this is a new place to check out at the mall in Sherman Oaks. Fashion Square Mall has opened a cupcake extravaganza with Swirls Cupcakes. It is not to be missed. A plethora of choices, rich, moist cake, and the right amount of sweet frosting. As a cupcake connoisseur, they're delicious.

Coming later today on The Web Files, The Legend of Neil. If you missed our A Comicbook Orange episode (one of our hottest episodes to date), check it out here: A Comicbook Orange.

Behind the Scenes of The Fine Brothers

I often get asked about how we arrange interviews and I will write an entry soon on how that process happens. This particular interview was probably our most unconventional. I think I received a note via our Facebook profile that said, "When is it our turn?". I didn't even know The Fine Brothers knew our show existed, so I was completely flattered to receive the note. We happened to have an open production date, so I wrote back, "How about next week?" and we were off and running. We also shot this episode in mid-November 2009, so it has been on our back burner because we had premieres or finales to coincide with on other shows. I am happy we were able to finally bring this episode to you since The Fine Brothers offered the most brutally honest take on what is happening in the web space. You have to remember that they were early adopters to the web arena even before YouTube existed. It's hard to imagine that YouTube didn't exist until February 2005. It has become a part of our daily internet landscape and The Fine Brothers have found great success on the site.

I hope you all take in the advice that Benny and Rafi are offering. It may not always apply to your show, but you can adapt it to fit your production. They were open enough to offer up some of the things they have done wrong and where they need to diversify. Listen to their words carefully, it might help you avoid some of the missteps they made on their way to success. I am also interested in watching how this all plays out for everyone in the next few years. I hope many of you can be supported solely by new media and that there is a greater understanding from the studios with how to utilize and promote internet content.

Now to some things that wound up on the cutting room floor: one more serious, and one more fun. First, I questioned them quite intensely on the issues that YouTube has with their view counter. Why does it freeze in the 300 view range? I understand that YouTube wants to make sure that they are qualified views and not some auto-generated program to bump up the hit count, but The Web Files has experienced view counts frozen for up to 3 months. You never get those views that you missed counted again. It is one of the main reasons we switched over to Blip because we are getting a more accurate read of what our views are, what everyone is enjoying, and what type of content drives them to our site. They defended YouTube and I would expect them too as their success has been driven by the YouTube viewer and as a partner, they have access to customer service representatives. This venue has worked for them, but it may not work for everyone as YouTube becomes saturated with content.

On to the fun! I wore a shirt that quotes an Oscar winning film that I received when I worked the 2007 Academy Award exhibit, Meet the Oscars. I wore it in honor of their hit, Movie Spoilers: Oscar Edition. Many of you know I am a huge Oscar geek because I used to do media work over at the Kodak Theatre, so I am a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. I thought I might try and stump them with my t-shirt. "Well, la-dee-da!" What Best Picture film is that from? The Oscar geek in me was happy to stump them. Do you know what movie it is from? First correct guess wins an NAIAS souvenir gift pack. Comment below and check out the episode if you missed it. Wednesday brings a new episode with Casey McKinnon and Rudy Jahchan of A Comicbook Orange.

Behind the Scenes of Daphne Brogdon of CoolMom.com

This interview was a rather exciting one for me. First, it was inspired by some controversy after we shot the Mommy XXX episode and a particular Mommy Blogger got upset over the Crackle.com show. As a result, one of the Mommy XXX advertisers pulled out of the show due to the pressure from the article and the author's readers. It made me realize how powerful the Mommy Blogger has become in our society. Now in order for it to fit within The Web Files framework, we would need someone who videos their work versus writing about it. So, off I went, scouring the Internet for the best Mommy Vlogger out there. I looked at many sites, but no one was as funny, irreverent, or as truthful as Daphne Brogdon.

I personally was thrilled to do this interview because I used to watch Daphne when she hosted a show on FX called The X Show. Not only did I watch, but I was a paid audience member who helped fill the seats if the tickets were not sold out. It was my first job in LA when I moved here in 2000. I did it for 2 months as it helped pay the bills while I got myself settled on the West Coast. I loved the show with its hodgepodge of hosts including Gillian Barberie, Craig Jackson, Justin Walker, and Gary Valentine, who I also interviewed this summer for his web series, Dusty Peacock.. I told Daphne our connection at the beginning of the interview and I wish it had made the episode because it was a fun moment, but it wound up on the cutting room floor.

What makes Daphne truly likable as a Mommy Vlogger is that she is real. She proves that while motherhood is rewarding, it also brings its own set of challenges. It isn't a perfect world, but it can be a funny, heartbreaking, sad, and joyous world. Daphne is married to Mark Peel, the chef of the famed restaurant, Campanile and La Brea Bakery. You may think her life is charmed, but they have endured challenges like the rest of us in this economic downturn and that is what CoolMom.com brings to the table.

We shot in her home at the kids' table where everything was perfectly tiny and cute including the tea set. Since we were not allowed to wear shoes in her house, Sandra made sure I had the most colorful socks for the shoot. They are actually Easter socks with bunnies at the top, making them perfect for the episode. I truly appreciated Daphne's candidness and I think this episode fits in well with the holiday season.

Episode 24 is our last show for 2009, so I want to take the time to thank you for your views, support, feedback, and appreciation for what we are doing on The Web Files. We managed to bring you 24 episodes this year featuring the best in web series, web celebs, and new media creators. We look forward to 2010 as our show grows along with the Web TV industry. Come back and see us in January when we launch new interviews featuring The Legend of Neil, Dorm Life, The Fine Brothers, and Casey McKinnon of A Comicbook Orange. Happy Holidays!