Dig "The West Side" web series

By nature, I am competitive. Very, very competitive.  I also like to think that I have some sensibilities and taste when it comes to what I listen to, read, watch, or hang on my wall.  That said, I know a good thing when I see it and the web series "The West Side" is such a thing. 

Dieter Baum (DP for DOJ and real life guru) looped me in on this beautifully shot and nuanced web series after he read about the creators in FilmMaker magazine.  These cats also won the Webby this year for best drama series.  

Anywho, it seems that the lads are in dire straights and without adequate funding to complete the series, which is unfortunate because the show is very nicely executed and definitely hooks viewers.  The urban/western combo alone is an edgy and original concept.  

Here's the link.  Check it> http://thewestside.tv/.

Trial and Lots of Error

Web video is not a new medium, but it is new enough to not yet be refined.  There is no template or formula that is a standard as of yet (maybe there never will be).  While in the process of editing Season 1 of DOJ (and re-editing and screening and re-editing again and again...and trimming and paring...) I've learned a couple of things about elements that may work and elements that definitely do not.

Here are a couple of things I've learned thus far>>>

~Keep it short, punchy, and moving.

After screening an episode of DOJ featuring a fairly long conversation scene (not "My Dinner with Andre'" long ((a favorite of mine)) but long, nonetheless)  recently to big laughs and a few kind words, on the big screen, I screened it on the smallest screen for a select group.  The reactions were markedly different. 

While the dialogue worked when the characters loomed over the audience and the speakers boomed, it felt a touch long when the viewers loomed over my laptop and the speakers chirped.

I must admit that when I began producing web based video content, applying lessons learned working on films and in TV seemed the natural route.

This was presumptive at best and dead wrong at worst.

Not to say that story or production quality should be sacrificed, but running lean is clutch.

When a video is contending with whatever else may be bouncing, blinking or bleeping on one's browser or desktop, that video better be damn interesting and fast enough to allow the user to return to work duties or Perez Hilton before they lose interest. 

There is most definitely a learned psychological pigeonholing of web video.  People hear "webisode" and they think "This here cat running around a toilet bowl better make me chortle in less than two minutes or back to FaceBook-stalking my ex-girlfriend I go." 

When someone straps in to watch a sitcom on Hulu or a film on their machine, however, they are in for the long haul.  Until the semantics change, it seems like original web based video content will have to run lean.

Postcards Printing. Trailer on the Web.

Life has been a bit crazed of late with getting the Gene postcards made.  Had a little photo session Friday last where Senor Joiner donned his mustache and headband for a little Gucci style shoot.  Once he relaxed and worked the camera, all was right.  

Also threw together a packet for this year's ITV festival.  Hopefully we are worthy for consideration in the web series comp this year...went the tongue-in-cheek Bruckheimer route with the trailer, though it doesn't provide the most in-depth sense of the show, it should hopefully peak interest and coax a giggle or two.

Over and out. ~C

Indio Bravo Screening of DOJ Episode 2

My friend Janice held a send-off screening of her short film "Sabongero (Cockfighter)" on Monday to celebrate her trip to Cannes and invited us to screen an episode from DOJ as part of the program. 

Before I talk about how Gene fared, I want to take a moment to thank Janice and everyone affiliated with the Indio Bravo Film Festival for giving us the opportunity.  I also want to encourage anyone who might be reading this here blog to check out "Sabongero." It is an excellent film.  I'd also like to encourage all New Yorkers to check out the Indio Bravo Film Festival being held June 11-14 at the MoMA (http://www.indiobravo.org/).  

Friend pimping is complete.

And so, we screened Episode 2 of Season 1 of "Days of Joy!" at KGB Bar (the original screening location was rendered obsolete by a busted bulb in the projector...and I just happened to know KGB had the facilities and equipment we needed).  The screening went very well and DOJ received very positive feedback from several people.  The fact that a seven minute webisode was able to hold its own screening with short films was heartening to say the least. But, I'll let you, kind reader, be the judge.