Web Television on the Move!

This has been an amazing few weeks for Web Television with festival news, upcoming events, and strong press.  The tide is finally turning and I think the next year is going to prove to be the breakthrough period in recognizing Web Television as a contender.  Here's a round-up of the latest events:

1.  ITVFest:  I was happy to see that some of my predictions for shows like Time Traveling Finger and 15 Minutes were correct.  Stephen Leonard won the Best Animation Award for Time Traveling Finger and Bobby Salomon won Best Director for 15 Minutes.  After watching 15 Minutes, I said that the series was ready for TV.  I hope the cast and crew see some lift from distributors because the show was well-polished and highly-produced, and the look of the show, shot on the Red camera, set it apart from the others.  A real quirky series, Octane Pistols of Fury, was a big hit this year, going home with the Best Web and Best Comedy Awards for ITVFest.  I wasn't sure what to make of the series, but it was funny with a strong point of view.  I am interested to see where they go next with the show because I am not sure what direction that would be. Perhaps, the joke is on me and that is exactly what the creators want me to think.  Finally, topping off his wins at NY Television Festival last fall and his Streamy win in April, Jeremy Redleaf of Odd Jobs won for Best Writing.  He's an absolute delight who keeps raking in the awards, so check out our Web Files interview with him from last fall.

2. NY Television Festival:  The official entries were announced on Monday and you will see some crossover from ITVFest like Illuminati Brothers, SOLO the Series, and Octane Pistols of Fury.  Some new series from prolific creators Brett Register, Scott Brown, Stephen Leonard, and Al Thompson will also be making an appearance, so it looks like a strong line-up.  The festival runs September 20-25, so keep your eye on the web that week.  Congratulations to all of the official entries!

3.  SXSW Interactive:  I was thrilled that my SXSW Panel Proposal was approved and it is up for vote for the Interactive Sessions.  My panel is titled:  Hosted Web Series:  New Opportunities for Creativity.  The voting is open until Friday, August 27th.  Also, Marc Hustvedt from Tubfilter has a panel up for vote on Interactive Video Storytellers so, get out there and vote!

Enjoying a little Fast Company and a Starbucks Chai latte on my flight.

4.  Fast Company:  I don't if anything was more thrilling than the Fast Company spotlight on "Must -See TV:  The Web's New Fall Lineup".  Highlights include a feature on Felicia Day, Babelgum, Funny or Die, Atom.com, and Next New Networks with their current and future Web TV offerings.  I was even more excited when I realized I had interviewed a lot of creators involved in the Fast Company spread:  Legend of Neil, Kevin Pollak, The Bannen Way, Felicia Day, Al Thompson, Jeremy Redleaf, and Illeana Douglas.  Maybe I am onto something here with The Web Files.........

5.  Digital Chick TV: There is a new site highlighting the contributions of women to Web TV:  Digital Chick TV.  I am excited to see all of the female producers, creators, and actors getting their due.  Women play a significant role in this space, so I am glad their work is being recognized.  Oh, and I am described as "ever-perky"on the site.  I love that description.  I am out to kill all of you with my perk on The Web Files!

6.  Squatters:  There is nothing better than to see a producer recognize the talents of their crew.  Brendan Bradley of Squatters contacted The Web Files looking for additional footage from their red carpet premiere to highlight the work of Director of Photography, James Rhodimer, and composer, Morgan J. Pearse.  The bonus videos have just been release on Dailymotion, so check it out and let's celebrate all of those that work tirelessly behind the camera:

James Rhodimer, DP - Behind The Scenes (Bonus)
Uploaded by squatters. - More video blogs and vloggers.


Morgan J Pearse, Composer - Behind The Scenes (Bonus)
Uploaded by squatters. - Explore international webcam videos.

7.  Anyone But Me:  The fundraising Web-a-Thon for the award winning series, Anyone But Me, continues and I urge you to make a contribution to help fund Season 3.  I don't think any other series has done more for the LGBT community and creators, Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward, are so passionate about their project, so help make Season 3 a reality for the cast and crew.  They deserve it!

Okay, I think that is a pretty strong round-up with what is happening in Web TV. The space is exciting and it's moving quickly.  Did I miss a big story?  Let me know in the comments and thanks for stopping by!

ITVFest Highlights

Since we are a little over halfway through the 5th Annual ITVFest,  I want to share some highlights of what I have experienced so far:

Screenings:  Let me start right off with The Wine Guy.  I know a lot of you will say, "Isn't this just a copy of Gary Vaynerchuk and Wine Library TV?"  Well, it's not even close, one is a video blog, the other is a structured travel and food show.  Host, Anthony Gilardi, knows he isn't a wine expert like Gary, so he brings along an entourage to get you to understand more about wine, how it is made, and how to pair it with food.  Included in his merry band of colorful characters are a sommelier, a chef, a cheese maker, vineyard owners, and somehow he manages to collect actor, Michael Cudlitz, of TNT's Southland along the way.  The show is entertaining, well-produced, and perhaps, the best thing I have seen yet at ITVFest this year.  Unfortunately, all of the screenings of The Wine Guy are completed, but you can check the website for more information on the pilot or check out the trailer below:

**UPDATE**: There is one final screening of The Wine Guy on Thursday, August 5th at 5 PM.  Check it out if you are going to be down at ITVFest and let me know what you think of the show!


Panels:  I have been trying to hit as many panels as possible.  It has surprised me when I sit down to a half-empty theatre.  Content creators, get out of the house and down to Sunset 5!  The panels are affordable and they offer a powerhouse group of people who can help you with your show.  ITVFest is intimate enough that you can grab face time with some of the studio executives, agents, and production companies that are changing the face of independent television.  The Representation Panel I attended on Sunday, was a terrific opportunity to hear what the lawyers, agents, and managers are looking for in writers and producers.  I think actors are programmed to understanding how important representation is, but it was great to hear from the production side how having a team can help you and your work.

The Innovator Award:  The award this year was presented to Illeana Douglas at the gala last Thursday night.  She has made a big splash in the web space with her show, Easy to Assemble, and the support of the show sponsor, IKEA.  In honor of her contributions, here is my interview with Illeana from the red carpet.  Boy, that girl can rock a yellow jumpsuit like no other:


ITVFest runs through Thursday, August 5th.  For more information, check out the ITVFest website.

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Weekly Wrap-Up

I didn't post enough this week, but I am going to try and keep the posts going from Monday through Friday to give you the scoop on what is happening here on the West Coast.  So, here's the rundown in case you missed it:

                                                               A Prius on ice.
Monday-Wednesday:  Plug-In Conference 2010:  For those of you who are alternative fuel vehicle minded and like to get your nerd on like me, look no further than this conference in San Jose for the latest in hybrid and battery technology.  With a host of new vehicles coming from Nissan, Chevy, Mitsubishi, Ford, and Toyota, there is going to be a wave of PHV (Plug-In Hybrids) and BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles) coming to help green the Earth.  While I was there with Toyota and my future vehicle of choice, the PHV Prius, I can assure you that most manufacturers are working hard on improving the charging station infrastructure and moving further away from our reliance on oil.  If anyone is looking for more information or wants to engage in a lively and geeky discussion on alternative fuel, be sure to leave a comment below.

                                        Me and my future vehicle, the Toyota PHV Prius.


Wednesday:  MoreWireLess:  It's another week of MoreWireLess sponsored by Broadcom.  This week's episode talks about Bluetooth in Consumer Electronics. It's a short video that is worth a watch so you can make fun of me for the worst Wii Bowling game ever.  My Facebook page also makes an appearance, see if you can spot it in the shot:


Thursday:  ITVFest:  One of my favorite events of the year is the annual Independent Television Festival in Hollywood.  The opening night gala is always a high octane affair and this year did not disappoint.  With Illeana Douglas as the night's honoree, sightings of Desperate Housewives tasty treat, James Denton, and a solid mix of LA, NY, and Texas web series, it was a hot night on the red carpet.  Check out all of the coverage from that evening on Mingle Media TV, but here are a few of my favorite interviews and moments:
James Denton:

Hot on the Red Carpet with Erin Brown (Watch us get kicked OFF of the red carpet for James Denton and Illeana Douglas  Ah, Hollywood, the great equalizer.)

Squatters:

By the way, I have obviously become the biggest hugger on the red carpet.  You will see it in the Squatters interview above and a few caught in the act photos below:

Hugging my pal, Ariel Lazrus, of The Crew.

Now, Brendan Bradley of Squatters and Legend of Neil gets a hug.

                      And the most scandalous (and staged!) one of them all, Bernie Su of Compulsions.
                      Photos courtesy of Mingle Media TV. 
See you on the next red carpet.  I am ready with a hug!