The Legend of Neil Series Finale Party

I was honored to be invited to Atom.com's series finale party for the web series, The Legend of Neil at the Downtown Independent last night.  Sandeep Parikh and Tony Janning created a spectacular Season 3 filled with special effects and a conclusion that no one will be disappointed with.  It is a really fitting ending to a terrific series.  I cannot wait to see what Sandeep and Tony create next, it will be well worth the wait.  If you missed my Web Files interview with the guys earlier this year, you can find my interview and behind the scenes look here. Be sure to head over to Atom.com to see The Legend of Neil today.  Congratulations, Sandeep and Tony!

Me and creator of The Legend of Neil, Sandeep Parikh.

With Bernie Su, writer extraordinaire of Compulsions.

My partner-in-crime last night, Julie Tyler. 

You might remember this DVF dress from Fashion's Night Out.  I wore these Steve Madden black shoes with it.  

Photos 2-4:  Courtesy of Bernie Su.

Photo 5:  Courtesy of Julie Tyler.

Weekly Wrap-Up

Oh, what a week it has been!  I'm sitting here in my sweats with my wet hair up in a bun after a big hike with my puppy.  I've been all over the city this week and I'm ready for the weekend to begin.  Here's how it all went down:


Monday-Thursday:
ITVFest:  I spent the week attending the seminars, parties, and panels at the Independent Television Festival this week. I will have a final wrap-up over the next few days, but you can see some of the highlights and the gala here and here.  Congratulations to all of the winners and participants!

Hanging with Bernie Su of Compulsions and Ariel Lazarus of The Crew.

Me and Bobby Salomon, winner of Best Director for his pilot, 15 Minutes.

Nicole Pacent of Anyone But Me, Brian Rodda, and me hanging after a screening.


Photos 1, 2:  Courtesy of Bernie Su.
Photo 3: Courtesy of Brenda White


Wednesday:
The Web Files:  The Web Files was back with a new episode this week featuring the uber-talented Al Thompson.  He will be popping up again with a new series at the NY Television Festival, so be sure to keep your eye on him:



MoreWireLess:  I think there are three more in the series of MoreWireLess sponsored by Broadcom.  This week, it is all about the dongle.  I had no idea what a dongle was until I shot this episode (And look at that hilarious screen capture.  I look drunk!)



Prop 8:  It is no secret where I stand on this issue.  It was a simple one to me:  human rights.  For those that oppose same-sex marriage, I still believe in your rights to raise your family with your beliefs and to
attend the church that shares your same beliefs.  Even if we don't agree on this issue, remember the United States is built upon protecting your fundamental rights. It will be a long fight from both sides, but here is a quote from the presiding Judge Vaughn Walker on the case:  "Moral disapproval, without any other asserted state interest, has never been a rational basis for legislation."  Amen.

Photo by Adam Bouska for the NOH8 Campaign.


Friday:  My amazing friend, Kristoffer Kelly, has taken it upon himself to start a Facebook campaign called:  "Kristyn Burtt will take Mary Hart's spot on ET".  Yes, Mary Hart is leaving Entertainment Tonight after 30 years and I am flattered anyone thinks I could even remotely fill her shoes.   So, here's the link if you want to join the campaign: Facebook.  Heck, even though it is a long shot at best, maybe I will get the opportunity to show them the sizzle reel to my show, The Web Files.  


Now through August 19th:  Don't forget to enter my fun giveaway--City Slips for the gal on the go!


Have a great weekend, everyone!

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!

 

Behind the Scenes of Chick

Okay, I got a good laugh from watching this episode. How cold was it in LA the day we shot this episode? I am going to guess the high was around 65 degrees and we were acting like it was in the low 50's. (**UPDATE: The high that day was 64 degrees.) Ah, as LA residents, we are such weather wimps. I do remember it being a bit breezy, so maybe that contributed to the "chill" in the air? Either way, I am thrilled we were able to feature Chick. It is a show that you need to add to your list of shows to watch. It has a different flow and rhythm than we have seen in other series. And despite a little detour in the middle of the season which originally was to include an interactive component, stick with this show, it is well worth it!

Creator and star, Kai Soremekun, and Production Designer, Kimberly Huie, brought the fantastic set to us on the shoot. I am not sure if it was clear in The Web Files episode, but we were using the car as a part of the backdrop for the interview. This vehicle plays a huge part of Chick's journey from her bad relationship to her development as a superhero. Inside the vehicle, Kimberly worked really hard to create some visual images and designs that are key to Chick's storyline...from fabrics to props, many of these items are essential to the character. While it was fun to have the traveling set, it was a little crowded on the car bumper, so you can imagine the shooting challenges for this interview!

Kai also gave a terrific shout out to Jonathan Moore of Rowdy Orbit who is doing a great job with his site which gives the spotlight to multi-cultural series. He had emailed me over the summer and he gave me a few series to take a look at. Chick happened to be one of those series. The show caught my attention once again when The Washington Post article came out. Then a few months later, while checking out Compulsions' win at the Indie Soap Awards, Chick pops up again! I figured it was a sign that it was time to give the show its due. (And another sign that persistence is key in making me aware of your series. I love receiving press releases, articles, news, etc. It give us the opportunity to keep an eye on your series and hopefully, work together in the future. So, keep those emails coming!)

Kai and Kimberly have brought some interesting components to the series that we haven't seen before on The Web Files...from a fascinating look at the stunt behind the scenes to producing a green web series. There are lists of ways you can make your production environmentally friendly and some valuable tips to keep the costs down on an ultra-low budget show. So, make sure you head to the Chick website and tell Kai that The Web Files sent you.

One final note, if you are looking for fresh insight on multicultural series and new media in general, make sure to bookmark Aymar Jean Christian's blog, Televisual. It should be on your new media list next to Tubefilter and NewTeeVee.

So, find the inner superhero in you and check out Episode #33: Chick
As always, feel free to comment below, I always love to hear your thoughts.

**UPDATE** Chick love is spreading across the nation. Check out this great post featuring Kai, Chick, and our interview with her: One Funky Mama.

Albrecht, Diaz, Buckley, Pollak, and Who?

So, the Streamys nominations are out and everyone is gearing up in preparation for the show. At The Web Files, we have some nominee interviews coming your way and of course, we will be covering the red carpet on the big night. I know a lot of the ladies out there are looking for the perfect dress and I will admit, I have hit the gym a bit harder lately. While I am thrilled to be nominated for Best Web Series Host, I have to chuckle because I think at least three nominees said, "Albrecht, Buckley, Diaz, Pollak, and Who?" I am humbled by my fellow nominees because they inspire me to think about the levels The Web Files could reach if we continue to put in the hard work and dedication to the web space like Alex, Zadi (My admiration for Zadi and Steve Woolf can be seen in a prior post.), and Michael. And then there's Pollak, yes, Kevin Pollak. Um, when are you ever going to be nominated against Todd Hockney from The Usual Suspects? That's enough to keep an Oscar Geek like me happy. (The movie won for Screenplay and Best Supporting actor for Kevin Spacey in 1996). Kevin's show has inspired an LA Times article and brought even more attention to the web space. With these four fantastic nominees, I am more than okay with being the "And who?" Congratulations to my fellow nominees!

By the way, I think Michael Buckley needs to know that I am the biggest figure skating and gymnastics geek ever, so I think we should be friends....especially if he wants in on the best (and secret) gymn/figure skating gossip site ever. (Yep, there's a site for everything and it confirms that I am a geek!) So, Michael, I am in NYC before the Streamys, coffee or cocktails are on me if you want to meet up!

**UPDATE** Michael heard my call and he has agreed to meet up with me while I am in New York! I love the power of the internet. I can't wait to dish about figure skating and gymnastics with my new BFF....whom I hear is a pretty decent figure skater himself.

Also, we will be featuring some of our previous Web Files interviews from shows that are up for Streamy Awards as a part of our Weekend Web Watch. Our first weekend showcased Safety Geeks:SVI which is nominated for Best Visual Effects for Tom Konkle, Thor Melsted, and Mike Smith. It is a great episode for the IAWTV members to take a first or second look at since we go on set and check out what it take to build the composites for their show. Check out the episode here: Safety Geeks: SVI

Our next episode for our Weekend Web Watch honors Compulsions in two parts. An interview with creator/writer, Bernie Su, and producer, Michael Tohl. Part two focuses in on the red carpet premiere with the cast, crew, and distributor, Aimee Carlson of Dailymotion. Compulsions garnered 4 Streamy nominations for Best Actor: Craig Frank, Best Writing (Drama): Bernie Su, Best Director (Drama): Nathan Atkinson, and Best Drama Web Series. I first heard about Bernie's idea for a series over Thai food, so it feels like I have been around since the beginning with Compulsions. While it is only Thursday, you can get a head start with our Weekend Web Watch here:
Part One: Compulsions
Part Two: Red Carpet

2009 in Review: November

I am giving up on 5 photos. Here's 10 photos for you!

MERRIme.com shoot with Kaily Smith and David Weidoff. I will always have a kinship with Kaily since we went to the same summer camp. Yes, another musical theatre geek! Episode: MERRIme.com.

If you are following me on Twitter, you know about my obsession with Five Guys burgers. It's a tasty treat!

The Fine Brothers! This episode is coming your way in January 2010, but this was a heated interview. They are very passionate about the web space and they were excited to share their thoughts. Stay tuned......

I don't know how this snapshot came about, but it was a fun night at the Compulsions premiere! Episode: Compulsions.

My favorite snapshot of the year all thanks to Adam Bouska and the NOH8 Campaign. I can't say this enough.......Equality for ALL!

Me and Daphne Brogdon on the teeny-tiny set. I was thrilled we were able to cover a mommy vlogger for The Web Files this year. Daphne is open, honest, and her story is fascinating. Episode: Daphne Brogdon.

I love Shira and Lon. Good people and a great show, This Week in YouTube. Episode: TWIYT.

Definitely the longest title of any show we have covered, Hurtling Through Space at an Alarming Rate. Tons of great green screen shots and familiar web celebs in this episode! Episode: HTSAAAR.

The 2009-2010 Toyota Live official portrait.

My favorite picture of The Web Files crew ever! At the Compulsions premiere, all behind the scenes....

Yep, there was no way to handle this month in 5 photos. It was a great experiment that I failed in a fantastic way. One more month to go!

2009 in Review: September

Darn, back to 10 photos for September 2009's review. That's okay, a few of you have asked for more photos, so you are definitely accommodated in this entry. I bit off more than I could chew for September. Take a closer look.......

So, I know I have a month long gig in Dallas ahead of me, so we decide to renovate our home. Most of the renovations happen while I am out of town, but packing in this mess wasn't easy.

So while the renovations are driving everyone at home nuts, I spend my days on an outdoor entertainment stage with a JumboTron at the State Fair of Texas. Turns out to be the wettest fair they have ever had.

Before I left though, we had to shoot The Web Files episodes. In fact, we had to stockpile the episodes in order to get through 6 weeks due to my travel schedule. Here is the cast and crew of one of 2009's most anticipated web series, Compulsions. Episode: Compulsions.

Ah, Tim Street. We freaked people out when he took his glasses off for the interview. This episode remains one of the most informative for the web community that we have ever shot for The Web Files. If you missed the episode, check it out here: Tim Street.

I really enjoyed shooting this episode with Dirty Bomb Diaries in a utility closet at an emergency supply company. Seriously, have you ever shot an episode in a closet? Sandra did a great job with set dressing this one. Rumor has it that there is a Season 2 coming your way in 2010. Episode: Dirty Bomb Diaries.

Showbizzle creators, Charles and Lindsey Rosin. A father/daughter team in the web space, but I have to admit, I was a bit excited to hear the 90210 gossip from the Brenda years. Charles kindly answered my questions off-camera and he delivered with some juicy stories. Episode: Showbizzle.

Somewhere in between all of this madness of Dallas and The Web Files, I found time to fly to Atlanta and work with one of my regular corporate clients, LG Electronics, at the CEDIA convention.

Two NYU alums get into a room to discuss Web TV! Go Violets! Marc Ostrick of eGuiders and I had a good time reminiscing about the old days in the Village when NY was truly dirty and delicious. Episode: eGuiders.

Another one of the most anticipated shows of 2009, The Cabonauts. With a cast including Nichelle Nichols and Hayden Black, I must carryover my anticipation to 2010. Episode: The Cabonauts.

On the set with Asa Shumskas-Tait and Rick Castañeda for the show Coma, Period. We had a blast running through the halls on their little go-karts and a rematch is set for 2010. Episode: Coma,Period.
So, there you go, September in 10 photos. October will be filled with lots of rain, mud, and some more rain and a side of mud. See you tomorrow!

Weekend Web Watch Exclusive: Fashions at the Compulsions Premiere

Every premiere, red carpet, and launch party in LA has a look and a style to it and this party was no different. The theme of the night? Dark, black, a hint of color here and there, hot shoes, and a fedora or two. Come join me as we take a look at the fashions of the night in The Web Files Weekend Web Watch Exclusive:

Producer Robert Grand offered up some great advice to young filmmakers at the Compulsions premiere.

I told you he was tall! (Andrew Clemons)

Yep, we match! (Janna Bossier)

The Fedora Mafia in the house! Aaron Kaiser and Bernie Su.

The prolific web series actress, Taryn O'Neill, of After Judgment, HTSAAAR, The Crew, and Compulsions. Did I miss anything?

Craig Frank is on The Web Files.....a LOT!

As promised, our exclusive video of the fashions of the night!

If you missed our full Compulsions coverage, you can find it all here: Compulsions Premiere.

For the shout outs to Bernie on his big night, go here: Congratulations, Bernie!

Our original interview with Bernie Su and Producer, Michael Tohl: The Web Files, Episode 16.

And the best birthday present of all! (Thanks, Sandy and Perry!): KB's Birthday!

That's a wrap on Compulsions coverage. I hope you had as much fun as we did! Up later this week, a look at This Week in YouTube with Shira Lazar and Lon Harris.

Behind the Scenes of Compulsions

This interview was a long time in planning and it finally all came together on a Sunday in September, just days before I took off for a month long jaunt to Dallas. It, of course, managed to be another one of those super hot days that always make our makeup artist, Melissa Anchondo's, job that much harder. Sandra Payne, The Web Files' EP, managed to come up with another genius location for the shoot. Compulsions is a gritty, edgy drama, so Sandra found a spot in Studio City in former office supply store. Yes, an office supply store. Amazing, right? Honestly, it looked like a place where bodies long-forgotten might be hidden, but it used to be filled with retro and art deco office furniture along Ventura Boulevard.

This episode featured Show Creator Bernie Su, Producer Michael Tohl, and actors Craig Frank, Seth Caskey, Annemarie Pazmino, and Janna Bossier. It is always interesting to interview people you are friendly with because I am never sure how the show will turn out. Sometimes the familiarity can breed a weak interview, but Bernie had a strong vision for Compulsions and that was communicated well throughout the interview.
I had the opportunity to see the first two episodes and I must say, I am impressed. All of the buzz around the show is well-deserved. Fans of The Crew will be surprised to see Craig Frank's dark performance, but be prepared for some stomach curdling moments. This show is not for the faint of heart judging from the first two episodes. I begged Bernie for a few more episodes, but no luck. He left me hanging, so I will just have to wait until the debut in December like everyone else.
We also interviewed the cast including The Web Files' first repeat guest, Craig Frank. We will have more with the cast after the show debuts, so stayed tuned. I want to save a few surprises until then, but I will say AnneMarie has turned out to be one of my favorite new Twitter pals. As a fan of The WB.com's Sorority Forever, I was thrilled to not only meet her, but we discovered we are the perfect Oreo cookie pals--she eats the chocolate cookie and I eat the sugary, cream filling. Annemarie, I owe you a pack....do you want the regular kind or the Double Stuffed?
Finally, I get a lot of questions about the hats I wear during the show. I am a fan of hats, but I only own three or four. The hat I wear in the intro to The Web Files belongs to my boyfriend who is a huge Indiana Jones fan. The hat was made by the original hat designer, so I was lucky he let me have it for the day. Trust me, that hat is as well cared for as our pets at home. Since I didn't wear a hat in this episode, Bernie picked up the slack with one of his signature hats. If you ever meet Bernie at one of the Tubefilter functions, you will know him by his hat and the camera hanging from his neck.

So, look for more from The Web Files and Compulsions in December and find out why the NY Times marked Bernie's show as a "must see" on a list of hot fall Web TV series. If you missed our interview, check it out here: Compulsions.