Here it is, our latest episode of the Can't Miss List featuring scoop on Footloose, Kenny Ortega, Julianne Hough, Kathy Griffin, Let's Dance, Winona Ryder, Darren Aronofsky, and Black Swan. Phew. The new Black Swan movie continues to garner a lot of interest and feedback from dance fans. Have you heard about it yet? Well, Darren Aronofsky never shies away from the controversial side of life, so it should be a fascinating tale set in the ballet world.
This shoot came after a long day of work on my other show, The Web Files, so my hair and makeup looks were all set and ready to go thanks to Melissa Anchondo, my incredible makeup artist. Fortunately, I was warmed up from a day of talking, so we did it in one take. Trust me, that's rare. I nailed it right off of the bat. Yay! I think Arsen Serobian, founder/CEO of Dance Channel TV, was so happy that he fed me cake after the shoot and I happily accepted. Really, who doesn't like cake? And a big shout out to Suzanne Jolie who writes all of the content for the show. I couldn't be snarky without her.
Hope you are enjoying the Can't Miss List. What do you want to see in our next episode?
Picking the show for Weekend Web Watch this week was so easy. Juan Bagnell and Lee Buckley were nominated this week for Best Movie/Film Podcast for the Podcast Awards.. I am thrilled to watch all of their success not only because their show is good, but because they are darn nice guys. It was such a good day on set and in the 25 or so episodes we have shot, this is on my Top 3 list. (Can you guess the other 2 episodes on the list?) I had such an amazing time shooting their show, Movies You May Have Missed, where I brought the movie and we discussed the campy drama of Mildred Pierce. By the time we got to The Web Files interview, I was downright punchy after shooting MYMHM only minutes before.
I also have to say that this might be one of my mom's favorite episodes of The Web Files. She thought they were such nice boys. Well, if my mom likes it, I think you will too! Congratulations to Juan, Lee, and the woman behind the camera, Marie Bagnell! Here's your episode of The Web Files and our Weekend Web Watch:
Well, the big day finally arrived and The Web Files was officially allowed into a studio executive's office. I was a bit nervous for this interview because it's FOX, Gabe Marano and Ilsa Berg are important studio executives, and this is a big opportunity for The Web Files to showcase all aspects of the Web TV world. Little did I know that they were a bit nervous too. I don't think twice about sitting in front of a camera and talking endlessly, but I forget that it isn't as comfortable for everyone. Ilsa and Gabe might be creating and making deals throughout the TV and digital world, but they don't often find themselves with the camera turned around and focused on them. Fortunately, they gave a fantastic interview and gave us some of the most solid advice yet.
Gabriel del Rio, publicist for Bender/Helper Impact, and I after the interview.
We utilized a conference room at FOX Television Studios' office. I felt like I was back in school with the chairs that had the swiveling desktops. Time to take the SATs again? Nope, time to dig in and find out how the studios see the digital world.
15 Gigs opened earlier this year to little fanfare. I thought it was a subtle way for FOX to ease their way into the digital world because of the high profile closures of other web studios in the past year. Even without all of the hoopla, I have to say I was shocked at Gabe and Ilsa's answers to some of my questions. I expected them to say that they are having an easier time than the independent web series creator, but the industry just isn't that easy or simple. They are hit with the same challenges as all of you....finding an audience, marketing their show, and creating content that is both interactive and compelling. While they don't seem to have the same budgetary constraints as an independent web creator, their web series have considerably smaller budgets than a cable or network show.
I was so glad we were able to bring this show to everyone because it is crucial for all of us to understand their perspective. 15 Gigs is open to new content and they gave some great ideas of what they are looking for in their portfolio, so really listen to the interview and gauge whether you have a show for them. They are also approachable and looking for new talent to develop like Jeremy Redleaf of Odd Jobs. Take your web series and enter it into one of the growing television festivals: iTVFest or NY Television Festival. The other factor that is continually being hit on is interactivity. How can your fans participate in a larger world that you create for your show? Can they interact with the cast? Are there other ways to utilize your show to create more platforms and websites? These are all great questions that Gabe and Ilsa answered for our Web Files interview, so go out there and watch Episode 19.
Finally, a huge thanks to Gabriel del Rio of Bender/Helper Impact. Not only is he one of the most organized and prepared publicists in the web world, he is also one of the kindest. Thank you for making this all a reality for us, Gabriel. We appreciate it and look forward to working with you again soon!
Okay, we have some fantastic Dirty Bomb Diaries survival supplies to give away and we want to give them away to you! Here's how it works:
1. Watch our episode of The Web Files featuring Dirty Bomb Diaries here: Dirty Bomb Diaries.
2. Answer this question:
a. What was my note to Sean Hinchey for Season 2?
3. Answers can go in the comments below or email us at: talktothewebfiles@gmail.com
4. Contest ends Monday, November 9th at Noon PST. Winner be selected randomly and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, November 10th.
Thanks for watching and good luck!
**UPDATE** Congratulations to our winner PJOwens75! He correctly answered the question. Answer: Add locks on the doors for Season 2. PJOwens75 wins a fun survival kit perfect for any Dirty Bomb Diaries fan. Thanks for all of your entries.
Yes, here we are in the McCalla Company Janitorial Supply shop. Another colorful and unique location for our Web Files interview with Jeremy Redleaf of Odd Jobs/Odd Job Nation. Jeremy Redleaf secured the spot as our first New York web series creator. Although we were obviously not in New York, it was a treat to hear how different the web series world is in on the opposite coast. Jeremy spells out some of those significant differences in the interview. As a former New Yorker myself, I know one big difference is driving! Poor Jeremy raced back and forth past our shooting location several times before we flagged him down to the correct location. I remember those days with my Thomas Guide hoping that the location would magically drop in front of me. LA driving can be intimidating to a New Yorker.
Regardless, Jeremy offered up some great advice to web series creators in terms of monetization: start small with micro-advertising. Even with a $50 ad, you can start building on that first sponsor. It may not sound like a lot of money, but it is a great way to think outside the box since as web series creators, we are often looking for that lump sum of cash. At 25 years of age, I definitely think Jeremy has proven himself to be a creative thinker, not only with his web series, but with his entire branded plan of Odd Job Nation.
Can you imagine your site drawing more attention than your web series? His supplemental material was so good and so timely, he has CNN,Newsweek, and CNBC banging on his door for interviews. His ideas were so fleshed out that he had to remind them he had a web series. After looking over that list of media outlets, I feel honored that Jeremy took the time to talk with us over at The Web Files.
The other interesting piece to this puzzle is the NY Television Festival. Jeremy decided to enter Odd Jobs into the festival even though he only had 3 episodes in the can. It obviously was enough for the judges to award him the "15 Gigs of Fame" award. It is essentially a fantastic development deal with FOX Television Studios' new digital arm, 15 Gigs. If you want to learn more about 15 Gigs, just wait until next week when The Web Files brings you our first studio interview with Gabe Marano and Ilsa Berg. They truly believe in Jeremy's talent and they are eager to bring more of his work to the table.
Finally, the original opening had me sweeping in heels. If you notice in the interview, we changed it to a feather duster. It was easier to capture on film, but only a true shoe fashionista dusts with a broom in hand and 4 inch heels on her feet.
If you missed our interview with Jeremy Redleaf, check it out here: Jeremy Redleaf.
I woke up today hopeful. Hopeful that my former (summer) home state, Maine, didn't fall into the trap that my adopted state, California, did. Sigh, it fell into that same trap. Ironically, my former (winter) home state, Massachusetts, has had legalized gay marriage since 2004. Has the state imploded, exploded, or had a lightning bolt sent down by God? Nope. The state runs just fine, my friends.
So, what is a girl to do? Well, pose for the NOH8 Campaign started by photographer Adam Bouska and his partner, Jeff Parshley. They created the campaign to draw attention to the passage of Prop 8 in California. Thousands of photos have been taken....famous, old, young, black, white, straight, gay, families, and countless others who support EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL.
I have heard the opposing arguments, but I think religion is a weak excuse, morality is a baseless excuse, and homophobia is an ugly excuse. God is love and God loves all. In my world, there is only one answer: EQUALITY FOR ALL.
PS My official photo will be posted as soon as I receive it. Thank you, Adam and Jeff. I truly admire your work and your campaign.
This is it! No, really This Is It! Yes, the movie has opened to big box office and of course, we spoof MJ a bit in Episode 8. I cannot wait to see the movie, but it looks like I have a little more time since SONY extended the run through Thanksgiving. (Like we didn't see that coming even before it opened.)
So, if you like what you see below, head on over to Dance Channel TV for more fantastic dance videos!
