YouTube Survey! - mememolly

Youtubers React To Mass Text (Bonus #20)

Assessing the Multiple Components of Cap South

Hello again, this is Rob Raffety, creator and producer of the comedy web series Cap South.  Going into production, I viewed Cap South as an opportunity to experiment with a variety of video styles and formats.  I thought such an approach might add to the novelty of the project and fuel viewer interest.  Now that the show is over, it's time to assess the results.




Generally speaking, my motives for producing each of these types of content were as follows:
1) Episodes: the primary narrative storytelling device;
2) Phone Call Mash-Ups: supplemental information about the characters' lives & obstacles they face;
3) Voice-Mails: crowd-sourced content to give fans a voice in the show;
4) Attack Ads: spin-off content related to the narrative and referred to in character dialogue occasionally.

The episodes usually ran between 6-8 minutes in length, and the other content was intentionally much shorter (between 0:30 - 3:00).  My thinking was that some of the short-form content had the potential to "go viral," so it would need to be entertaining independent of the viewer's knowledge of the show.

Now that Season One is over, I'm in the process of assessing the successes and failures of each format.  While I'm generally pleased with how the project turned out as a whole, I want to learn from the recent production and incorporate lessons into future productions.

Judging simply by views, the episodes were far and away the most popular component of Cap South.  Collectively, as of Sept. 2013, each component has garnered the following traffic:
1) Episodes: ~13K (~1.2K avg. per video)
2) Mash-Ups: ~4K (~350 avg. per video)
3) Voice-Mails: ~1K (~200 avg. per video)
4) Attack Ads: ~2K  (~180 avg. per video)

When I look at the numbers like this, I realize that the ancillary content (short-form videos) isn't anywhere close to the episodes.  In fact, over the past few months of casual conversations with friends, it seems as though many viewers weren't even aware that the ancillary content even existed!

At this point, my main takeaway is that I can probably drop some of these ancillary videos in future productions and focus instead on making the episodes as great as they can be.  But I still need to dig into the analytics a bit deeper before I make that decision.  An alternative to pulling the plug on the short-form content in the future is trying to do a better job of tying it directly into the story of the show.  Maybe I could add pop-up links to ancillary content in the episodes to make sure that viewers are aware these other videos exist.

I'm still sorting out my options for Season Two.  In the mean time, I'd enjoy hearing any constructive feedback on any of the elements of my project - from the standpoint of WST readers, what "works" and what doesn't?  Are there other web series that integrate different types of short-form content with greater success?  Does anyone else have experience from their own project?  I'm all ears!  -RR

Mortal Kombat: Legacy II - Episode 2 & Episode 3

The Real Housewives of Salem 1692: Catching Up Special

Episode 3 of the Real Housewives!

Youtubers React To Mass Text

A New Twist In The World of the UnDead!

Fans of the hit web series Miss Behave were sad to see it go, but have no fear, producer of the series Susan Bernhardt has another one on deck and just launched an Indiegogo campaign.  She has teamed up with McCracken Live!'s Brian Beacock to bring you a very intriguing and unique semi-dark comedy called Acting Dead. Described as a cross between Arrested Development and Shawn Of The Dead, it's clearly a HUGE leap from Miss Behave. 

What is Acting Dead about?  Actors trying to make it in Hollywood know how tough it can be, so what do you do if you've hit rock bottom and are fed up with the rat race? Two friends who have been fighting to make it to the top decide to bank on the explosion of Zombie shows being produced and literally become "the undead!"
Tate and Alex think it's a brilliant plan, however, quickly find the same problems being a Zombie as being a human with an added wrinkle...a hunger for brains! Follow them as they navigate through auditions trying to act dead, as well as feed their ever-growing appetites for human flesh!  

I spoke to Susan Bernhardt and stars of the new series Brian Beacock and Jillian Clare about this macabre comedy with a twist.  

Bernhardt explains the thought process behind creating this new series.  "Both Brian and I have deep roots in the web series community and are passionate about independent television.  We learned so much with our initial New Media efforts, McCracken Live! for Brian and Miss Behave for me.  It seemed like a natural partnership to produce something together and this script is the perfect marriage of comedy and horror. Really exciting things are happening, and we haven't even produced it yet!  We have more BIG reveals forthcoming, including cast announcements, but in the meantime, please donate, earn some pretty spectacular perks and be part of our team!"

After his first success breaking through the web world with McCracken Live!, meeting so many talented people and making new friends, Beacock is really looking forward to producing, as well as starring in this new collaboration.  "The idea that I could develop an idea, a story, and then with the partnering of an amazing producer Susan Bernhardt (Miss Behave) make that idea come to fruition in just a few months was exciting to me."  He went on to describe season one will be shot in ten days, unlike McCracken Live! which took 6 months to film.  According to Beacock, Acting Dead will begin filming October 12, so those who donate to the project will see it in 2014.  "If you donate, you are going to be a part of something that is happening.  That will be completed and you will be able to see early next year! Lots of campaigns are ambiguous about the project and sadly lots of them never see the light of day."  This will not be the case with Acting Dead.

For Miss Behave darling Jillian Clare the project couldn't have come at a better time,. "I seem to be at a weird age where I can't play my real age, and I'm no longer believable as a 15 year old.  So when Brian and Susan approached me with this, I was more than happy to able to be a part of something so original and cool."  While Miss Behave was definitely within the soap opera genre, Clare explains Acting Dead  is a complete 180 and far cry from it . "Miss Behave was created for teens with an edgy approach, somewhat similar to Skins.  It was definitely a dramatic soap opera feel...whereas this project is completely opposite.  It's a quirky comedy, still with a darker tone, but you'll be able to see all of us in a much different light.  I'm excited to be doing comedy again!"

Not only will Clare and Beacock star in this innovative new series, many of our favorites are back including Patrika Darbo and Chris Galya.  There are a plethora of guest stars set to appear- hottie Eric Martsolf, Christine Lakin, John J. York and Sheila-Sheila among other heavy hitters.  

If you love qurky, weird, off-the-wall comedy with a twist, Acting Dead is sure to be the next web series sensation.  Beacock adds, "I can say this,  if you're a fan of shows like Arrested Development, Parks and Rec and The Office...add to that a bit of comedic horror element and you're in for a treat."

Be a part of this new venture!  With only 20 days left to reach their goal, please take a look at Acting Dead and what New Media has in store for this witty, intriguing new dark comedy.

*Donate: ACTING DEAD Indiegogo Pitch  

  

Continuum Ep 15 (S2): Artificial Intelligence

Mortal Kombat: Legacy II - Episode 1

Orange Juice in Bishop's Garden - "Casting Couch: Ep. 2.4 with Ellen Winter, Part 2"

Ellen Winter (Sarah) sits down with Orange Juice in Bishop's Garden creator Otessa Ghadar to continue watching Season 2, Episode 4 — "L+T & S+G". Ellen tells a funny story about the line "feet on my foot".

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Website: http://OJinBG.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/OJBishopsGarden
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OJBishopsGarden

"Maggie" Season 1 Trailer

In "Maggie", a young woman deals with the loss of her best friend after he turns into a ghost who only she can see.

Season 2 begins airing soon!

Ryan Holladay & Cynthia Connolly of Artisphere

Ryan Holladay (Artisphere’s New Media Curator) and Cynthia Connolly (Visual Arts Curator) talk about recent and upcoming exhibits at Artisphere, and having the opportunity to showcase little known artists along with prominent artists like Andy Warhol.

www.artisphere.com
www.bluebra.in
www.cynthiaconnolly.com

YouTube enlists Google+ to fix the world's worst comments

What do you think of the changes?

DISCUSSION: https://plus.google.com/101175516092771757092/posts/C3LdsC3o5WV  

"Trying to surface meaningful conversations is something that takes work."

Read the full article:
http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/24/4766758/youtube-introduces-radical-redesign-of-comments-tied-to-google

Victory Productions presents THE LYONS DEN (Episode 4.26)

In the season 4 premiere, Keysha deals with the aftermath of her decision 4 months later after AJ's proposal; meanwhile, J.C. and Ashley try to balance their new lives with their new little one on the way as everyone gears up for Gabby's first birthday party

Meet the Mayfarers: The Mort Chronicles Part 2

Mort's idea to kills Nick does not go according to plan.

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Find out more about Meet the Mayfarers and other shows from 20/20 Productions:
http://www.twentytwentyproductions.com
http://www.facebook.com/2020Productions

"SINNERS. WHICH ONE IS YOU?" Is the first Independent web series inspired by "The Divine Comedy", created by Filmmaker David Petrucci (Canepazzo, Hellis silence). Adapting the Dante Alighieri's script to our time and focusing on some "Circles of Hell", we will meet characters induced to sin by evil forces. Just one way for Sinners... Undergo the Dante's Hell punishments and then come back on earth to serve their executioner. Sinners are everywhere in the world so each episode takes place in a different country. Which one is you?

Watch episodes on: http://www.youtube.com/davidpetruccifilms

- NOT RECOMMENDED for a very emotional audience -

Other official pages:

https://www.facebook.com/davidpetruccifilms

http://www.davidpetrucci.it/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4740007/

Jen Foster – This is Me (Music Video for the Tapestry Project)

Jen Foster performing This Is Me, a song she has dedicated to Tapestry.

P.S. For you #OJBG fans, the video’s spliced with some cool footage from the show, so make sure to check it out.

Kids React to 10 Bets You Will Always Win

Ninja the Mission Force: Bruce: A Dragon Story!

If you haven't been watching Ninja the Mission Force, you've been missing the most creative show on the web today!

Project: Library Trailer | TimH