Behind the Scenes with Taryn Southern

So, how do you not admire Taryn Southern?  Seriously, she sold her first project at the age of twenty.  Well, I am impressed.  My joke has always been that Shira Lazar is the busiest woman in the web industry, but Taryn sure is rivaling her.  I am thrilled that we have been able to feature some ambitious and successful young women in the web series industry on The Web Files: from the names you know like Shira, Taryn, Zadi Diaz, and Casey McKinnon to the up and coming producers like Kai Soremekun.  You all make me proud that this sector of the entertainment industry encourages the creativity and freedom that other sectors of the biz sometimes hinder.

We were able to shoot in Taryn's gorgeous apartment somewhere in LA where many of you have watched her broadcast her UStream show.  I first came across Taryn at last year's Streamy Awards where she was nominated for Best Female Actor in a Comedy Web Series for Private High Musical.  While I did not have the chance to interview her, I interviewed her cast including Dennis Haskins and you might see Craig Frank in the background. (I think this is where the idea for The Craig Frank Show was born.)  To say that Taryn does it all would be an understatement:  she acts, sings, writes, produces, hosts, am I forgetting something?  So, our interview focused on her journey through web television and where she is headed next.  If you want to be a part of her next project, go visit her Kickstarter page and pledge to fund her next project, Among the Stars, a mixed media film.

For those of you who have already watched the interview, you might think, "You forgot to ask about the viral video Wrong Hole!".  No, we didn't forget.  It was edited for time. I would never, ever not deliver a clip, especially when Scott Baio is involved.  I am a huge fan of Chachi. So here's a little Red Closet exclusive clip on that part of the interview:




Finally, Taryn's favorite little guy, Bart, is going to be an internet superstar.  Find out her hamster's next project in his 28 seconds of Web Files fame. Yep, she has the whole family working in the web industry.  Bart's a celebrity hamster!



If you haven't seen our interview with Taryn Southern, what are you waiting for?
Taryn Southern interview

2009 in Review: March

March of 2009 was a key month for me this year. I had the opportunity to work the red carpet of the 1st Annual Streamy Awards where my idea for The Web Files was born. It's hard to imagine that it was only an idea 9 months ago and now that idea has turned into such a fun and exciting opportunity for me. Here's my March in review:

My month started off with a trip to Costa Rica and an amazing day rappelling down waterfalls in Arenal.

Yep, that's me going down a 100-foot waterfall. This shot makes me look like I have real muscles. I like that.

The Streamy Awards! I was a part of the streaming red carpet feed. One of my first interviews was with the cast of Private High Musical with Dennis Haskins.

I look a little stunned to be standing next to Dennis, but that red carpet was packed and so much fun!

My final interview of the night was with Lisa Kudrow and the cast of Web Therapy. What a great way to top off the evening.
So here I am full circle and asking you to nominate The Web Files for Best Hosted Web Series for the 2010 Streamys. Just look in the upper right hand corner of this page. The box will take you right to the nominations page. You can nominate the show all the way through January 22nd.

We are also in the running for Best Web Original Non-Fiction show for 2009 by Clicker.com. It just takes a second to vote for us. Voting ends December 31st. Vote here: The Web Files

Thanks for all of your assistance with this. I appreciate it! Coming tomorrow, my April 2009 wrap-up in 5 photos or less.

Photos 3 and 4 are by The Bui Brothers.