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!

ITVFest Opening Night Gala: Part 3

Here they are, the remaining photos from the Gala. I chose a few of the absurd, fun, and caption-worthy for my last post. Starting right off with the "After Judgment" crew, Stephanie Thorpe and Mike Davies, as we discuss their future interview with The Web Files while I interview them on the red carpet. What a great way to do business.....
Who are going to interview next? Me and Shira Lazar looking for our next interview. Anyone? Anyone?
This was one crowded red carpet! We moved over further and further until we gave up and parked ourselves away from the red carpet to finish up the interviews.
What are you wearing? Checking out the red carpet fashions with the Stickcam.com hosts.
Yes, I am pretending to pose in a photo with Felicia Day where I just end up looking crazy. There she is!
One of my favorites from the night.....no paparazzi, please!
The cast and creators of Dark Room Theater, I am not sure if they look bored during my interview or just dying to hit the bar. And a big thanks to Keith Blaney, who was concerned about my level of hydration during the red carpet.
Watch out, it's the "Dangerous Women" from Strike.tv! Originally conceived as a web series, it is entered in iTVFest as a television pilot showing the versatility of the web format. The series also has a fantastic tag line, "This ain't your mother's PMS".
Shhhh.....worst kept secret for The Web Files. We are excited to interview this talented bunch on Monday.
Finally, I want to give a shout-out to several of the other web series we interviewed including, "Imaginary Bitches", "2012", "Operation Midnight Climax", "Johnny B. Homeless", and "House Arrest". I didn't charge my camera, so the old batteries were exhausted by the time we got to them. We didn't forget you, look for your clips in the next episode of The Web Files on Wednesday!

For those of you who were not able to attend, here is a 30-second behind the scenes look at all of the noise and excitement: iTVFest Red Carpet

PS Did you miss Parts 1 and 2? You can find Part 1 here: iTVFest, Part 1
And Part 2: iTVFest, Part 2

iTVFest Opening Night Gala

My new Twitter buddy, Mike Rotman

Who wouldn't be excited to interview Felicia Day and Kim Evey of "The Guild"?
And our Monday interview for The Web Files: Cast of Oz Girl!!
In deep conversation with Kat Steel of "Show Me Your Clips".

Last night on the red carpet for iTVFest was fantastic, exciting, and energizing. The day started out with Variety noting that web series and TV pilots are carrying equal weight in this year's festival. I have to say, "Web Series, you have officially arrived!" It was nice to see familiar faces like Felicia Day, Kim Evey, Ariel Lazarus (who is destined to be the new "IT" girl of web series), Stephen Leonard, Stephanie Thorpe, and Mike Davies, but it was also a great day to be introduced to newer faces in the web world.

We got more footage than we originally anticipated and I think you will see a compilation version for The Web Files and maybe some longer interviews released throughout the week. We hear you loud and clear! We know that as creators of web content you have a lot say, a lot of stories to tell, and an audience willing to listen. I hope that The Web Files becomes a place to help you tell those stories.

I am thrilled that the cast of Oz Girl agreed to sit down with us on Monday for an interview. It's not often that you get the cast and creator together, especially when they fly in from Melbourne, Australia. I am fascinated by 19-year-old creator, Nick Carlton, with one series under his belt and one on the way, I expect great things from him.

I will release photos each day from iTVFest's red carpet gala, so come on back and join me for the fun!

PS See Part 2 here: iTVFest, Part Deux
Part 3: iTVFest, Part 3