GUIDES Episode Five: The Rabbit Hole Is Deep And Dark

While Cree is working on a Presidential nomination, Dray reunites with an old friend. Meanwhile, MaKenna is on the hunt for the truth to what what really happened with Alice that night in the bathroom.



Watch all the episodes at GUIDES Web Series. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Help make My Student, My Lover a reality!

Click on our Indiegogo campaign to make a donation!

Mrs. Keeley and Jimmy Peterson are in a bit of a pickle right now. They are trying to make sense of what they've done and how they got there. But they need your help to make it happen! Help make My Student, My Lover a reality today by donating to our campaign. 

There are lots of cool perks for all levels starting at $1.00 because every dollar counts! Not only will you have our love and gratitude but you will also help make this wonderful project a reality! :)

Submitting a Press Release to Web Series Today

A lot of Web series creators e-mail Web Series Today ([email protected]) with a press release about their series. This is fine, and you should continue to do so. This allows us to stay current with what is going on in the Web series World. However, because of how the Web Series Today blog is structured, with many independent community authors who collaborate on the blog, it is not always possible to get the information submitted onto the Web Series Today blog (http://www.webseriestoday.com).

Looking forward, we want to improve this system by encouraging Web series creators to also post their press release in the "Web news/Press release" section of the Web Series Today Community on Google+: (http://plus.google.com/communities/110073950258800417692/stream/d05d2715-ea42-4260-bdd7-2fe21345d743). That way you, the community, will be able to interact directly with any series that submits a press release.

The desire to create a vehicle where creators and the community can interact more openly and directly was one of the factors that motivated the creation of our Google+ Community in addition to the Web Series Today blog, which will continue to allow "authors" to post as normal. We hope that everyone in the community (in addition to Web Series Today "authors") will take advantage of this feature for more interactive communication.

If you are an author on Web Series Today, this will provide you with access to any press release submitted and if desired you can use that information as the basis of a post here on the Web Series Today blog. It is probably advisable to leave a comment on the press release that you intend to do so, thus avoiding duplication by other authors. It will also let the person submitting the press release know that they can expect an article on the Web Series today blog and, if needed, provide you with additional information.

The Web Series Today blog is an "open collaborative community based blog" about Web series. Our mission is to keep the Web series community up to date with what is going on in the World of Web series. If you want to become an "author" on the blog follow the directions in the link below: http://www.webseriestoday.com/2010/11/web-series-today-become-author.html

See post on Web Series Today Community: http://plus.google.com/101175516092771757092/posts/44kDwJogDmX

Video Game High School: VGHS Season 2 is coming!

Music for the Jilted Generation – Orange Juice in Bishop's Garden EP6.02 Recap

Band practice has begun! But… the band’s not really practicing. The OJBG gang is surrounded by instruments,  hanging on the telephone.  But, band conductor Sarah is AWOL.  She’s not picking up the phone, nor is she at home.

(90s aside — remember the pre-cell-phone-days when you had to call your besties at home and speak to their parents and probably had a phonebook’s worth of numbers dancing in your head.)

It’s all very mysterious considering this is the first rehearsal of Sarah’s brand new band.   And has anyone seen Alex lately? Where the hell are these girls???

Let’s just insert some useful information here — y’know, on the record, for those of you late to the OJ train –

Before going AWOL, Sarah and Alex had both recently been dumped. Alex is broken hearted & flying solo. As for Sarah, the reason she’s not picking up is…slightly different. Sarah’s actually found temporary solace in Chloe’s warm bed– And obviously, there is no time to think about band practice when you’re getting your post-breakup-rebound-groove on! But Sarah’s been left flustered after being walked in by Adrian (uhhh Chloe’s fiance). So that’s where we find Sarah: half-dressed in an alley, shaking her head as she takes her steps down the walk of shame.

Meanwhile, Alex has been wallowing in misery in bed. Life is just too much for the poor girl to take. Let’s take a little trip down memory lane:

First she’s dumped via letter by her newly-gay boyfriend, Davis, who is in the “throes of a sexual awakening”. (Aside– I kind of want that as a bumper sticker.) Second, Alex seeks solace by flinging herself at the Hot New Band Member, Robin, AKA her ex-boyfriend’s bff.  Yea, grreat idea, Alex.  So well-adjusted of you.  Anywhozzle, Robin ends up falling for Alex’s (soon to be ex) bff, Tamsin.  All of this new-kid boat-rocking left some unpleasant emotional ripples in its wake.   Third, Alex overhears Tamsin explaining to Sarah about the reason why their friendship has gone awry: “she’s upset because Robin didn’t want her and so she’s alone and unloved”.  HARSH. After overhearing this, Alex’s rage inflames. She publicly lashes out at Tamsin and goes off the rails.

Cry me a river, Eeyore. Teen drama just doesn’t get any better.

That whole paragraph experience was like being transported back locker-side to my old high school hallway. In the best possible way.

After the band’s call to Sarah comes up empty handed, Tamsin decides to make an “olive-branch-extending” phone call to Alex. Tamsin and Libby try to tease Alex out of her little pity party and bring her back from the unknown. And it seems to be working! Alex is finally smiling and she takes their teasing in good swing… up until Robin decides to open his mouth and chime in to the call with a little mustachioed joke. Nope, not funny. As soon as his voice goes on the line, Alex’ face goes deadpan and that line goes dead. All it took was a little reminder of her jilted love life to bring her back to her Coma of Jealousy.

And that’s where we find Alex: still moping, still in bed. But, by the way the band sits in the last scene, you’re left with the lingering suspicion that this isn’t where we’ll find Alex next time… And I know from experience, you should never underestimate the rage of a jilted teen.

Doing the Happy Dance

Any indie web series creator knows that little things please us...positive feedback on your show, new fans on Facebook who aren't friends or family, or new subscribers to your YouTube Channel, a good day of shooting, or a box of cool "toys" for the show all are cause for glee. So you will understand as I dance around the office a bit today.

1.)  New Facebook fans and YouTube subscribers:  Discovered this great site called Placevine.  We went in last night, set up our account, linked our videos, and today we are on their Facebook feed, welcoming us to their site, and we have seen both new Facebook and YouTube followers as a result!    If you are looking for a new place to promote/distribute your show, check them out.

2.)  Great new Podcast:  We air a podcast each week with different members of our cast and crew discussing the show and their roles in it.  This week, we happened to have three experienced radio guys on the show, and they were a blast to listen to.  Chris Livingston, who plays the arrogant Bob, and Ray Remillard, who plays his rival Amadan in the show, played off each other beautifully and Charley Bruce, the host of the show tied it all together for a show that was a lot of fun.  Decoding Mythos Podcast 8: Amadan and Bob

3.)  Great press:  We got an email today, that the Governor has included our show in his Edge Business Report, which is released each month, showcasing a handful of stories about businesses and other economic growth within the state.  This is exciting, because it has great reach, and is spreading the word, not only about the show, but also about what we can do!  So it could drum up more work for us as well!
February Edge Business Report

4.)  Fun Toys:  UPS just pulled up, and I know they are delivering a box of props for the show.  I need to sign off now....there are cool new swords to play with!  I just need to be careful, because dancing and swords, don't always mix well!

GUIDES Behind the Scenes: Meet Jenn Nangle a.k.a. MaKenna

Jenn Nangle, who plays boy crazy/celebrity obsessed GUIDE MaKenna, explains how she came up with her character name and backstory.

Watch all the episodes at GUIDES Web Series. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

I Am Tim ep2.03 "Tim vs The Sheeple pt1"

Tim and Anna take a relaxing break in the countryside. Unfortunately Richard goes with them. And then gets abducted. And there's something wrong with the sheep. The locals are a bit weird too... New episode released EVERY SECOND THURSDAY at 8PM GMT!

HIPSTERHOOD Season 2 launches Kickstarter

Hipsterhood launches a Kickstarter campaign for season 2 of the series, starring Kit Williamson, Elizabeth Ferraris, AND Daniel Vincent Gordh of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is coming on board! Looks like Julia Cho is producing for the series as well. That is one hard hitting team. Below is the Kickstarter video, which has already been gif'd quite a bit on tumblr.

UPDATE: If they can reach $3800 today, they'll release a Julia Cho interview!

PressHeartToContinue: GAMING NEWZ: Abram's Final Fantasy Is Ouya

Flash Pulp - Mulligan Smith in Blood

Tonight we open on a family in turmoil, the Dukes. What has driven the son, Tory, to sickness and silence? What has driven the father, Rufus, to near madness? Only one private investigator, Mulligan Smith, truly knows.


Subscribe: (RSS / iTunes)

Flash Pulp is an experiment in broadcasting fresh pulp stories in the modern age – three to ten minutes of fiction brought to you Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings.

TheWarpZone: Zero Dark Knight Thirty

Schedule and Episode Update

Well, it is official!  We are headed to three Sci-Fi Conventions in the Mid-Atlantic area this spring. 

RavenCon:  Richmond, VA April 5-7:  We will be doing a "Creating a Web Series" Workshop.  Series Creator/writer/director Clint Gaige, as well as co-writer Charley Bruce and actors Ray Remillard (Amadan), Marcus Lawrence (Joss) and Christine Lange (Avery) will be participating in this event. 

Sci-Fi Valley Con:  Altoona, PA  May 17-19:  We will be screening webisodes 1-6 t this one.  Clint, Christine and Marcus will be at this one as well as Lindsay Day (Kelly), Brandon Wheeler (Agathos), Zoe Gaige (Heather), Nate Nelson (Gryson) and Christopher Inlow (Thales).

Balticon:  Baltimore, MD  May 24-27:  We will be screening webisodes 1-6 on the big screen on Friday night, and doing the "Creating a Web Series" workshop on Saturday.  Clint, and Marcus as well as Nate Nelson, Christopher Inlow, Zoe Gaige and actor and composer, Robbie Whiplash will be joining us for this one.

We are very excited to be heading to these events, and if you happen to be in the area, we would love to meet you!

And by the way, it is Thursday, which means the latest episode is out.  As the Washburn and Associates crew come to terms with tragedy, Amadan tries to figure out how to work the situation to his advantage, and receives a vengeful visitor. 

Feast of Fiction: Super Mario Mushrooms! Mini

Meter Maids: Episodes 10-12

Meter Maids is a kinda-sorta NSFW show that follows a group of four traffic officers as they strive to make the streets of Los Angeles safe from parking offenders. The show skewers serious subjects like gun control, affirmative action, sexual harassment, girl-on-girl stuff, and Satanic human sacrifice of cute children. 

What’s unique about the show is that every episode features one or more guest stars that have an online fan base. The guest stars for the three episodes below included:

Paul Prado (5 Second Films and Animal Raps).

Josh "The Ponceman" Perry (Abnormal Comedy and The Retarded Policeman)

Scott Allen Perry AKA SAP (Abnormal Comedy)

Mika Tan (Adult Film Star)

Asterios Kokkinos (Stand-Up Comedian) 

Meter Maids Ep. 10 - Finger Bang

Meter Maids Ep. 11 - Bad Apple


Meter Maids Ep. 12 - Satanic Birthday 

To see more Grumpy Panda videos go to: http://grumpy-panda.com/

Like Grumpy Panda On Facebook! Twitter: @GrumpyPanda 

See the last Meter Maids post on Webseries Today!

Voting Begins Now for the 3rd Annual Streamys Audience Choice Awards

George Takei, iJustine, Shay Carl, Larry King, Jackson Rathbone, Shane Dawson, Lance Bass And More Scheduled To Present During the Live Streaming of The 3rd Annual Streamy Awards Presented by Coca-Cola On Feb. 17, 2013 At 6 p.m. EST / 3 p.m. PST

Read the full press release:
http://www.streamingmedia.com/PressRelease/Voting-Begins-Now-for-the-3rd-Annual-Streamys-Audience-Choice-Awards_32274.aspx

Meet the Mayfarers: Ep. 1.15 - "Family Dollars"

Franklin breaks down and reveals Barb’s true nature…that nature being lying, scheming, and sleeping with anyone who gets in her way!

---

“Meet the Mayfarers” is a comedy about an estranged, dysfunctional family who is forced to live together for one year in order to get their grandfather’s massive inheritance.

Meet the Mayfarers: Ep. 1.14 - "Family Rendezvous"

Franklin gives Barb an offer he thinks she can’t refuse. This involves a wedding ring and hopefully lots and lots of sex.

---

“Meet the Mayfarers” is a comedy about an estranged, dysfunctional family who is forced to live together for one year in order to get their grandfather’s massive inheritance.

GUIDESTONES: Episode 16 - Waiting

http://guidestones.org | @guidestonestv | 

Sandy and Trevor receive some upsetting news while waiting to meet someone who may be able to provide them with some answers.

Stay up to date on the latest Guidestones news: Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

You can also join the discussion at the Guidestones Fan Forum.

New YouTube Channel Design 2013 FIRST LOOK

My Ruined Life: Olympics

My Ruined Life: an original, comedy Web series starring Brian Cowden, Nathan Holt, Kristen Egermeier and Greg Bailey. Friends Brian and Nate relax on various city benches after work, discussing theories about their "ruined" lives. Maybe one day they will decide on one of them and move along.

My Ruined Life was recently named BEST WEB SERIES SHOT IN PHILLY & AUDIENCE FAVORITE (WEB SERIES) by FirstGlance Film Festival 2012 (Philadelphia).

Season 1, in its entirety, is available online now. Season 2 recently began and runs throughout this winter/spring with new episodes posted almost every Sunday evening. Follow MY RUINED LIFE on Facebook & Twitter for more laughs as new episodes are released.

My Ruined Life: Life is full of theories and benches. When your life is ruined, you sit on a lot of them.

MyRuinedLife.com

In Fear Of... Episode 1: Monophobia

Scream Queen icon Debbie Rochon wrote and starred in the pilot episode of In Fear Of... We see what horrific measures our heroine takes to avoid living alone. Hard to believe someone as lovely as Debbie would have this problem but I'm not here to judge! :)

"Napoleon Bon Appetit" Interview Featured on Creators Watch!

"Napoleon Bon Appetit" is a cooking show with a complex. Conquering a new recipe each week, Napoleon and his Kitchen Wench outrageously prepare eclectic eats. Cindy of Web Series Watch recently sat down with Derek Houck and Katherine Browning, co-creators/stars of Napoleon Bon Appetit, to talk about their hilarious show.

Check out their interview on the Rogue Creators Watch here:

The Playhouse Season Two Episode Ten - Season Finale

The Season Finale! Will Dick live to tell Peggy the DNA results? Will Reggie get his own personality back? Will Quentin exact revenge of Mona? Will Mona seize control of the Playhouse from Doris? Whose lives hang in the balance?
Stay tuned...

Shooting Yourself in the Foot

As I mentioned in a previous post, I come from a background in marketing.  I used to work with the media on a regular basis and used to pitch them stories weekly.  Moving into the digital age, communication became even easier.  Instead of calling and talking to someone, or putting together a professional press release to fax to the media, information could simply be emailed over, for immediate access.  And if that isn’t quick enough, social media gives us the means to announce breaking news as it happens.

But all of this seems to have come with a price. As we have moved away from real person-to-person interaction, our communication skills seem to have diminished. I have read several posts from reviewers and media representatives who are getting frustrated with web series creators.  Let’s take a moment and look at their concerns:

1.)    No information:  It is amazing what reviewers see; everything from the impassioned plea to the emails that contain just screen-shots of the show and downloads cross their desk.  It is also amazing to me how many of these folks forget to include basic information about their show.  The name of the show and the website at least should be EASY to find in your message.

2.)    Forget the attachments:  As one reviewer put it, they are an annoyance.  First of all, many people won’t open unsolicited attachments due to the risk of getting a virus, and secondly, if your series name and links to your site are buried in a pdf, they can’t be clicked, which is ultimately what you want.  Again, make it EASY for someone to access your info.

3.)    Remember you are pitching them your series.  There are thousands of others out there, so you are not entitled to a review.   Saying things like “Why haven’t you interviewed me yet?”, “When is it my turn?” “Check out my link, you should interview me,” or “Come interview us, we have an event tomorrow,”  (and yes, all of these are actual quotes) are not only unprofessional, but will definitely kill your shot at getting any positive feedback from the media.  

4.)    If they decide to say no to your series, or give you another answer that you don’t like, take it as creative criticism and move on.  DO NOT accuse them of being part of some massive conspiracy, or anything else.  (And yes, this has happened too.)  Remember, these folks work hard to support the indie film-making community, and should be treated with the utmost respect.

So what do you do when you are trying to get interest in your show?

1.)    Be professional.  Treat each letter, each pitch as if you were standing face to face with decision making studio executives.  Put your best foot forward.

2.)    Include all relevant information in the body of your email.  This includes show name, website and channel links and your contact information. (I think I mentioned it before…but make it EASY for them to find and follow you.)

3.)    Mind your manners.  We all were taught to say please and thank you when we were kids.  Why would anyone think those are not relevant when pitching a show for review.  You should always thank the reviewer for their time and consideration. 

4.)    Put some thought into your pitch.  I generally write mine, go do other things and then come back and re-read it later, so I am looking at it fresh.  We have had articles lifted straight from press releases I have sent out, because we included all of the relevant information, and wrote a well structured release.  Ask yourself if you were receiving it, would it get the desired response? 

5.)    I cannot say it enough, BE PROFESSIONAL.  If you want to be taken seriously, treat your series like your business. 

And remember, by sending out ill-prepared or unprofessional material, you are shooting yourself in the foot.  The number of web series out there vastly outnumbers reviewers for these shows.  It is extremely easy to pass on something for any reason.  Instead of giving a reason to pass, instead make it easy for them to say yes! 

PressHeartToContinue: GAMING NEWZ: Trine's Last Colleges Seem Fine

Teens React to Thrift Shop (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis)

BlackBoxTV: The Night Shift - Shanna Malcolm, Onision, Jason Horton, Jess Lizama

obZEVation: J.Post January 30: New Trees, New Bones

obZEVation: J.Post January 30: New Trees, New Bones: Sir, - The countless words, analyses, and opinions that constituted the sound and fury of the party campaigns in Israel's recent elections,...

Creating The Character--Joss Washburn

Thought it was time for something a bit different from us.  I generally share the info about what is going on behind the scenes and post things that I have learned in developing and promoting a web series…  Thought you might like to hear from someone else!  So here is our lead actor, Marcus Lawrence, discussing how he developed the character of Joss Washburn.  Hope you enjoy it.

            -Darla

I am pleased with all the views, so I just wanted to talk about the character, but I really wanna talk about the viewpoints I take with it, in hopes that it does an honor to people in uniform as well.

Someone recently talked to me about the cynical nature of Joss, and much of it is in the writing. However, to really make it come from somewhere, I have actually gone out and talked to numerous veterans of our recent wars. Many of them have referred to Iraq as a”calamity”, many reminisced about fallen comrades, and dumb politically appointed civillian people in charge of sensitive operations who pulled really stupid, almost class war – oriented crap on them. The emotions of past experiences in the fog of war that we ask many of our young men to compartmentalize is humbling.

However, this isn’t a polemic. That would be self – serving. I simply want people to understand what I wished to understand in my portrayal of a former elite Marine. His cynicism is tempered with a sense of duty. The politics of society, what he sees as red tape that people can hide behind, he simply views at with his cynicism. He may have a friend on the police force, but he won’t hesitate to go around the police to accomplish his mission. His loyalties lie with the children he finds. With the innocent. Don’t stand in his way.

Joss’s cynicism is perhaps a little toned down as he becomes the Hand. His duties are beyond his comprehension, and there is no learning curve for the supernatural world. However, his ability to process information through advanced special ops training will come in handy. There is no black and white anymore. There is, however, winning and losing. Life and Death. This is an aspect he understands quite well. However, it will be the grey areas he will struggle to comprehend, and be forced to live in. However, as you will see, he won’t have to do it alone.

I have really enjoyed the experience, I gotta say. Being on set has been fun, the people I work with have been just awesome. Lots of joking around, but when it comes time to roll camera, we go to work. I really hope you guys are enjoying what we’re doing. It’s great that when you need an escape from the barrage of reality shows, you can just turn on the computer, and I hope that when you do, you enjoy us!!!!!

Marcus Lawrence