At The Con – Dragon*Con 2012: Web Series 101 Panel

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Posted by Jessa Phillips aka "SultryMinxZoe" | Posted on 09-09-2012

Category : Conventions, DragonCon, E-vents, Entertain Me, Featured, Guest Appearances, Watching the Web

Tags: , , , ,

Some people celebrate Labor Day weekend with a barbeque at the beach. Me? I prefer to spend my holiday weekend in Atlanta, Georgia with 50,000 of my closest geek friends at Dragon*Con.

This year was another fantastic year, filled with cosplay, parties, concerts, celebrities and fan panels. This is not my first year attending. In fact, this year I had the opportunity to return as a panelist on a number of fan discussion panels.

One of the panels I am most proud to have been a part of was titled Web Series 101. David Speakman, Suzanne Najbrt and myself spent an hour chatting about web series, what we enjoy about web content and where others can find series. For those of you who were unable to attend, I was able to record audio of the panel. Due to the nature of the recording, some of the audience comments may be difficult to hear.

Dragon*Con 2012: Web Series 101

Attendees received a listing of various web series from a multitude of genres (see below) to get them started finding web series they would enjoy. As with any entertainment, taste is subjective. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive. I encourage everyone to continue to watch as many web series as they can to find the genre that appeals to them.

Should you have any questions, or if you are looking for additional suggestions, feel free to leave a comment here. You can also join the Dragon*Con American SciFi & Fantasy Media Group on Facebook!

Audience Participation

- It’s All In Your Hands Network

http://www.itsallinyourhands.com/about/)

- Satacracy 88

http://www.hulu.com/satacracy-88

- Bar Karma (aired on Current TV)

http://current.com/shows/bar-karma/

MARKETING TIE-INS

- RoadAngels.com
Social platform that allows users to meet new people and get home safely by pairing Party People with Designated Drivers. As part of their marketing campaign, they are producing a web series.

http://www.roadangels.com/

- Away We Happened
AT&T sponsored. This series follows a couple who mistakenly switch bags. They both have “baggage,” but will this be the start of a new relationship? The series incorporates a “choose your own adventure” mechanic, asking the audience to vote on how the story will progress. Completed, 6 episodes.

http://www.awaywehappened.com

- Daybreak
AT&T spoonsored

http://www.daybreak2012.com/

MOTION COMICS

- Astonishing X-Men: Gifted
Written by Joss Whedon for Marvel Comics. Six episode series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-6kqNAcpzs&feature=share&list=PLE4700E3F5141C6D6

- Seven Brothers

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0F741FD275B53715

ANIMATED SERIES

- Adopted by Aliens

http://www.adoptedbyaliens.com/

- Electric City
Backed by Tom Hanks. Hosted by Yahoo.

http://screen.yahoo.com/electric-city-promo-29815899.html

- The Heresy Saga

http://www.heresysaga.com/

SCI-FI & FANTASY

- Wonders of the Universe
An animated comedy series which follows the crew of an intergalactic cruise ship.

http://blip.tv/toonwerks

- Uncanny X-Men
Fan-made series bringing to life the Uncanny X-Men comics.

https://www.facebook.com/xmenfanseries/info

- Brothers Barbarian
Two teenage Barbarian brothers journey to find the witch who cursed them to appear middle-aged, in order to reverse the curse. Completed Season 1, 6 Episodes available now. Currently seeking sponsors for Season 2.

http://www.brothersbarbarian.com/

- Space Turkey
A comedy improv series which takes place on a spaceship. The show is recorded live on Stickam with audience input via chat or Twitter. Episodes are hosted on My Outerspace, the sci-fi social network created by William Shatner.

http://www.myouterspace.com/

- Cell: The Series

http://cellthewebseries.com/episodes/teasers/

-Doctor Who: The Forgotten Doctor
A fan-made web series inspired by the BBC show, Doctor Who.

http://www.youtube.com/user/dwtheforgottendoctor/

- Guidestones
In the midst of producing a project for college, a couple of journalism students uncover a global conspiracy. Currently in pre-production for Season 2.

http://guidestones.org/

- The Skyrim Parodies

http://skyrimparodies.com/

- Co-op of the Damned

http://www.mydamnchannel.com/channel/co_op_of_the_damned_5394.aspx

- Horrible People
An internet soap opera following an esteemed family that has fallen on hard times and looks for ways to maintain the lives they have become accustomed to.

http://www.mydamnchannel.com/channel/horrible_people_659.aspx

- Shelf Life

http://www.shelflifeseries.com/

- Transolar Galactica

http://transolargalactica.com/

- The Silent City

http://www.youtube.com/user/SilentCitySeries/featured

- Transylvania TV

http://www.transylvania-tv.com

- Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II

http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/

- Jedi Camp

http://www.jedicamp.com

- Osiris
Titled after the main character, a detective who cannot stay dead. Once killed he is revived exactly 37 minutes later. The series follows Osiris as he attempts to locate a kidnapped witness. Through his investigation he discovers a bigger conspiracy and hints that may lead him to the origins of his abilities.

http://www.osiristheseries.com/

- Blood & Bone China
A period web series, set in 1880′s. When a country doctor finds his brother is missing, along with many others, he embarks on a journey to discover why people are disappearing and what his brother’s involvement was.

http://www.bloodandbonechina.com

- Continuum
Not to be confused with the Canadian television series, Continuum takes us inside a spaceship where a crew member awakes to find she is alone…or is she?

https://www.facebook.com/ContinuumTV

- Vampire Mob
A dark comedy series, shot documentary style following a Vampired who happens to work for the mob.

http://www.vampiremob.com

- Bite Me
Created for Machinima, the series follows a group of gamers who must put their skills to practical use to survive the zombie apocalypse. Complete Season 2 posted.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA3037A547ACE7E02&feature=plcp

- RCVR
Created for Machinima, RCVR is reminiscent of X-Files; wherein, government agents investigate UFOs and alien visitation. Complete Season 1 posted.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD94766B564009520&feature=plpp

- H+: The Digital Series
Technology and humanity meet when the future goes too far. Season 1 currently being posted with new episodes every Wednesday.

http://www.youtube.com/user/HplusDigitalSeries

-Untitled Web Series About A Space Traveler Who Can Also Travel Through Time
Started as a skit, Inspector Space Time, in the tv series Community, the creators successfully funded the first season through Kickstarter. Awaiting series premiere.
http://youtu.be/AnMgJ9FNS1c(Official Trailer)

- L5

http://l5-series.com

- Last Man(s) on Earth
Part How to/Part fantasy, this series imparts partical survival skills the hosts learned by watching disaster movies.

http://thelastmansonearth.blogspot.com/

- JourneyQuest

http://www.journey-quest.com/

- Walking In Circles: An Epic Tale About Dragons n’ Stuff
A medieval comedy, following the journey of a group of adventurers on their first quest. Currently in post-production for Season 2

http://www.walkingincirclestheseries.com/

SUPERHERO WEB SERIES

-Batman: Death Wish
A fan-made short film

- Bat in the Sun
Fan-made live action Batman shorts.

http://www.youtube.com/user/batinthesun/

- Batgirl: Spoiled
Finally, Batgirl gets her own series. Follow her adventures beginning in September!

http://www.youtube.com/user/BatgirlTheWebSeries/feed

- The Collectibles
A reality show style show following the misadventures of a group of superheroes.

http://www.the-collectibles.com/

- Save the Supers

http://www.mydamnchannel.com/channel/save_the_supers_6016.aspx

- Avengers Assemble

http://www.avengersassembletheseries.com

GAMING WEB SERIES

- Damsels & Dragons
A series which follows the adventures of a female LARP group. Currently in pre-production for Season 2.

http://www.larpkingdons.com

- Realm of LARP
A reality show style series which follows a group of LARPers through a game, exposing the story and gameplay, as well as the perspectives of the players.

http://www.worldoflarp.net/

- Glitch
A series following Brian “Glitch” Banner who dreams his life was more like a video game and the glitches he encounters. Currently airing Season 1 with new episodes every Monday. There are also a series of Bonus Life “slice of life” mini-episodes currently posted.

http://watchglitch.com/

- Fallout: Nuka Break
A live- action fan-made film based on the popular video game franchise, Fallout.

- Geeks & Gamers Anonymous
A series which follows a trio of female geeks and gamers as they geek out in various situations. Currently in pre-production.

http://www.geekanon.com/

NON-GENRE WEB SERIES

- The Beauty Inside
Community participation is required for this dramatic slice of life series that follows a person who wakes up looking completely different every day. Narrated by Topher Grace.

http://www.facebook.com/thebeautyinsidefilm/

- Awkward Embraces
A comedy series following Jessica and her friends and the awkward situations they encounter in dating.

http://www.awkwardembraces.com

-Pretty
A faux reality series about a family whose daughter competes in toddler pageants. A comedic take on the tv show Toddlers & Tiaras.

http://www.prettytheseries.com

- My Gimpy Life
A web series following the life of an actress trying to make it, who just happens to be in a wheelchair.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MyGimpyLife?feature=watch

- Bloomers
Series following a group of 20-somethings living in Los Angeles, surviving life and love. Complete Season 1 posted.

http://www.bloomerstheseries.com/

- Husbands
Created by Jane Espenson. Season 2 premiered August 15th. Comedy following the marriage of 2 high profile gay men upon the legalization of same-sex marriage.

http://husbandstheseries.com/

- Fresh Hell
Starring Brent Spiner as a fallen celebrity that has committed a fatal mistake. Complete Season 2 posted.

http://www.youtube.com/user/freshhellseries

- Squaresville
Zelda and Esther are two teens that don’t fit in. Follow their adventures as they survive in the town the just doesn’t get them while staying true to themselves.

http://squaresvilleseries.com/

- The Professionals
A series about the misadventures of tech support…or contract killers? Complete Season 2 posted. Season 1 available on dvd via Amazon.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheProfessionalsShow

- Lizzie Bennett Diaries
Modern-day take on Jane Asten’s Pride & Prejudice told through a video blog format.

http://www.lizziebennet.com/

 

 

CONTACT

Questions? Comments? We want to hear from you! Feel free to post a comment on the podcast entry, or email us at podcasts@goodtobeageek.com. You can also email Jessa directly at jphillips[at]goodtobeageek.com.

Special thanks to Walid Feghali for the use of his music in the podcast. Be sure to check out his SoundCloud profile page to learn more about him and discover more of his music.

At The Con is sponsored by Good To Be A Geek – let your geek run wild! Opinions expressed on At The Con are those of the hosts and/or guests and do not necessarily represent those of Good To Be A Geek. Good To Be A Geek is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

ReedPOP, A Small Group Of People That Have The Magical Ability To Summon All Of The Awesomeness We Can Handle!

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Posted by Thomas Jordan | Posted on 15-06-2012

Category : Candid Conversations, Conventions, Featured, Geek Out

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I’ve attended more than my fair share of events and conventions.  I’ve been to horror conventions, fan expos, gaming cons, and thanks to my mother-in-law I’ve even been to a coin collecting convention.  Last, but certainly not least, I’ve been to a lot of comic cons.

Walking into a comic book convention is like stepping out of reality and stepping into a place between the TV channels, where the characters both real and cartoon alike all hang out with each other.  At any given comic con, it’s not uncommon to see Pikachu, Darth Vader, and Hellboy all in line waiting to meet Ash from Army of Darkness. There is absolutely no replacement for the way people feel when they’re in an atmosphere like this.  But how do these gatherings of nerd herds come to be?  Who would actually say, “Hey guys, let’s get, The Incredible Hulk, Jerry the King Lawler, Stan Lee, and Steve Buscemi in the same place and see who shows up?”  ReedPOP; that’s who.  Anyone who’s ever been to a ReedPOP event like the NEW YORK COMIC CON, C2E2 or Pax East, knows why they do it; because it’s mind blowing.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with ReedPOP goddess, (she actually said she’s called the Lead Content and Talent Manager, but I knew what she meant,) Kim Mueller, to discuss more about what goes in to the process of creating an annual geek Mecca. 

TJ: Can you describe what the company ReedPOP is?

Kim: We are owned by a company called Reed Exhibitions, which is the largest tradeshow company in the world, with between 400 – 700 events worldwide.   It’s insane how large this company is.  ReedPOP is the consumer arm of the business.   It’s meant for fans.  It’s not just business to business.  It all started with NEW YORK COMIC CON, and now we have six to eight shows and we’re growing every year.  It’s actually a very small group of us that put on these insanely large events.  They’re all for passionate fans, but from several different walks of life.  We just launched a Fantasy Football Festival that will be later this year.  We work with LucasFilm to do the Official Star Wars Celebration event.  We also run the PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) events.  There are two of those each year and we now also have PAX Dev, which is mostly going toward developers.  Then we have C2E2, which is Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, which is NEW YORK COMIC CON’s little sister show in the Midwest.  It [C2E2] has already grown massively in three years, and this year we just had 41,000 fans at the show, so it’s kind of a whirlwind.  ReedPOP is only actually about 20 people that run all of these different shows.

TJ: I can’t even imagine what your daily agenda must be.

Kim: Yeah, it’s crazy, but we have a lot of help, and we work with a lot of partners.  NEW YORK COMIC CON for example.   We couldn’t do what we do without people like Marvel, DC and Top Cow.   All of these people they’re such a big part of it, and we need their support to be a good show.

TJ: On your resume, how would you list your job and what it is that you do?

Kim: That is tough; I do so many different things.  My technical title is Lead Content and Talent Manager.  We used to be called the Programing Department, but then people thought that we worked with computers, and I know nothing about computers.  So, we changed it to focus on two different parts of our job, one being  guests.   We have guest outreach where we have to decide who we want to invite to the show.   Then we have to find ways to get to them, and reach out t and invite them to the show.  We have to coordinate all of their travel and make sure they know where they are going, that they have schedules.  NEW YORK COMIC CON has over 350 panels, screenings, and special events throughout the four days, so we have to decide what we want to do with all of those events. We take in all of the requests, and then schedule everything and coordinate all of those times and rooms and all of that information.  We put together a program guide that expresses all of that, and it has to go on the website.  So there is a long list of things that we have to do.   One of the things I specifically focus on more is studio relationships, and trying to make sure that as many TV and movie studios come to the show as possible, because that’s a big part of why a lot of the fans come.  Building relationships and making new connections and partnerships is a huge part of what we do.

TJ: You do a fantastic job.  Your events are epic.

Kim: Thank you! Thank You! We try.   We try really hard.

TJ: If you were going to explain to a fan what it is that you do, how would you put that into fanboy/fangirl terms?

Kim: Basically, I would say, “What is the coolest stuff that is out there right now, this moment?”  I try to bring it to the show.  We’re always looking at what the coolest thing is, whether it’s the newest video game coming out, or how we could get the Avengers to the show.

TJ: Now that we know what it is that you do, what would an event be like if there was no Kim Mueller; if there was no Content and Talent Manager?

Kim: Yeah, basically what you would have is the show floor.  So you would have all of the booths and vendors that are selling cool things like T-shirts and plush toys and all of that kind of stuff.  All of that would still exist.  I don’t touch any of that.   So If I wasn’t there, that’s what we would have.  That would be it, the show floor.   All of the stages, all of the panels, all of the screenings, all of the autographing, all of the guests that are there, and also Artist Alley for sure, like at NEW YORK COMIC CON and C2E2, I do a lot of that as well.   Basically it would be a show floor with people selling merchandise.

TJ: So, no Bruce Campbell?

Kim: Nope.

TJ: No Seth Green?

Kim: Nope, he wouldn’t be there either.

TJ: Wow, that’s quite a difference between NEW YORK COMIC CON with Kim and NEW YORK COMIC CON without Kim.

Kim: (Haha) Definitely.  The nice thing, though, is that we do have exhibitors that work closely with us to bring in guests.  Someone like Dark Horse for example, will have a project that they’re working on, so they would try to bring creators that are working on that project.  So, to some extent there would be some guests there but the majority of the guests and all of the content and panels technically would not exist if there was no content and talent team.

TJ: Having said all of that, and having described the caliber of people that you strive to bring in,  who have you worked around that you’ve had a hard time keeping your cool with?  Have you ever been star-struck?

Kim: Umm…this will sort of answer the question.   I think one person I had a hard time figuring out what to do with was  in 2009 or 2010.  I went in the green room to get Seth Green for his Robot Chicken panel and MacCaulay Culkin was in the room.   I was just like, “Hi…ummm…” I definitely had a moment of, “Wait.  What’s going on here?”  I was very confused.  I guess they’re close friends, so he must have come to the show with him.  I generally know who is going to be there, so I don’t get to star-struck because I can kind of prepare myself.  When I knew Mark Ruffalo was coming to NEW YORK COMIC CON [last year] I was really excited, but I knew he was coming so I was able to tell myself, “When you meet him, act cool.  It’s okay.”  But with someone like [MacCaulay], and you don’t expect it, and you just kind of run into someone, you’re like, “Oh…hi…uh…what do I do?”

TJ: That’s funny, I actually got to sit in on that panel.

Kim: Oh, really?

TJ: Yeah, I was pretty surprised to see MacCaulay there too!

Kim: You know, I just always associate MacCaulay Culkin with Home Alone, and I watch that movie every Thanksgiving to kick off my holiday season.  I was star-struck, but I think it was because I wasn’t expecting to see him.  Normally, I’m pretty good at keeping my cool and being normal around people like that.

TJ: What a fun story!

Kim: Yeah, I think so.

TJ: Have you ever had a guest that you knew you just HAD to get for a show but had a really hard time getting to them?

Kim: Yeah, that pretty much happens every show.  There are a few people that we want every year, or we go back and forth with, and it’s either that we can’t make it work with timing or scheduling.  So it’s probably several people each show that that happens with.

TJ: Has there ever been anyone that you have invited to the show, and thought, “If I had that to do over, I don’t think that person would be getting the invite?”

Kim: Yeah, there is usually one at every show that I feel that way about.  We’ve definitely had people who are supposed to be there for the fans and they’re grumpy, or they just sit there on their cell phones, and they don’t want to interact.  That’s what always makes me regret reaching out to someone and inviting them to the show.  The last thing you want is for people to be standing in line and waiting to meet someone, and they’re disappointed when they meet them.  That breaks my heart.  Usually there’s one or two that.   I feel like I regret it in the sense that I’m not happy with how they treat the fans and I’m not happy how the handle themselves in front of people.

TJ: That’s a pretty noble complaint.  So it’s not so much a personal issue, but you don’t like how they’re treating your fans.

Kim: Yeah, exactly.  Obviously some people don’t know how to treat us, in the sense that they don’t really understand what our job is, or what our role is, and who we are.   Honestly, I don’t care how they treat me.  I just care how they treat the fans.  I don’t care that behind the scenes they may yell at me, as long as they’re nice to people who they’re signing autographs for, or who are asking them questions in a panel.  Then I don’t care.  You can yell at me until the cows come home.

TJ: Soooo, I can quote you and say that Kim Mueller doesn’t mind being yelled at?

Kim: (Haha.) Uh oh, I don’t know about that.

TJ: What would you consider your greatest achievement at ReedPOP?  

Kim: It’s been about four and a half years now that I’ve been on the team.  I don’t know if there is a specific moment that I feel like is my greatest achievement.  I feel like every time I go to one of our shows, and I see people who are so excited to see some one that they’re crying, or they’re just having the best time and they’re really enjoying themselves,   and they’re in a panel, and they’re applauding, and they’re cheering.  That’s when I feel like I’ve really accomplished something and I feel super successful.  It happens so much during our events, I can’t think of specific moments.  It actually happens quite frequently, and that’s the reason that I like my job so much.

TJ: When people log on to twitter and go to @NYCCKim and look at your profile picture, who will they see you standing there by?

Kim: Chris Hemsworth.

TJ: Oh, yeah?

Kim: Yeah, right now my profile picture on twitter is of me and Chris Hemsworth, who was the nicest guy in the world, that I instantly fell in love with him the second that I met him.  I was so upset the he was married and, you know, he was a faithful nice guy who didn’t do anything bad and I was like, “Oh my gosh, I love you.”

TJ: So it was pretty exciting to meet Thor?

Kim: Oh, yes.

TJ: This year NEW YORK COMIC CON is going to be October 11th through the 14th.

Kim: Yes, it’s the same weekend.  It’s always the weekend after Columbus Day.

TJ: You already have some pretty amazing guests lined up.   You’ve got the chief Creative Officer of DC, Geoff Johns

Co-Publisher of DC Entertainment, Jim Lee, Creator of Hellboy, Mike Mignola, and I saw that Josh Gates of Destination Truth has been added to the websites list of guests…

Kim: Yes, Josh Gates has been announced and we have also announced that three day tickets are now on sale.

TJ: What kinds of tickets can you buy to attend NEW YORK COMIC CON?

Kim: Four day tickets which have been available now for about a month, now we have three day tickets available, and later in the summer we’ll put single day tickets on sale as well.

TJ: Great.  I know that you already have a lot of great guests lined up that you haven’t announced yet, but I can only imagine that you have an amazing list tucked away somewhere.  Who else can we look for this year?

Kim: I can’t say anything yet, but one thing I can say is, in the next couple of weeks we will be announcing some Marvel [Publishing] names.  Right now, we have only announced a couple of DC guys, and Mike Mignola who is Dark Horse, so we’ll have some Marvel people coming very shortly that will be announced.  And we definitely have some really cool TV stuff that’s already official and lined up, so it’s just a matter of time before we can announce it.  I can guarantee that people will be very happy with it.

TJ:  I’m really excited to see the rest of the lineup this year! I check the site one or two times a day!

Kim: Yeah, that’s the place to go if you want to stay up to date and get the latest news.

TJ: Now, for a non-convention question.  What do you think about cats?

Kim: (Haha.) What do I think about cats?  (Haha.)

TJ: Yeah, everything that I’ve researched and have seen online always has Kim Mueller and cats in the same sentence.

Kim: (Haha) yeah, I love cats.  I have a cat who is the cutest wildest little creature ever.   I love cats but I feel like the people who I work with have actually made me seem like I’m a much crazier cat lady that I actually am.  I have one cat and I love him, but beyond that, people always buy me cat books and they put up cat things in my cube at work.  I have all kinds of cat stuff all around me, but I swear none of it is stuff that I bought myself.  I mean, I am obsessed with cats, but not the way people think I am.

TJ: Okay.  I’ll believe you.

Kim: Well, maybe I am, a little bit.

TJ: Is there anything else you would like to say about NEW YORK COMIC CON and ReedPOP?

Kim: I would say that if anyone is checking out this interview, and they have ideas for guests or what they would like to see, whether it’s something traditional or if it’s something that’s completely out there, we’re always looking for suggestions.  We always want to hear from the fans, and how things went for them in previous years, and what they want to see this year, so I would just say that all of our contact information is on our website, and also on the ReedPOP website, so anytime anyone has any feedback or questions, or concerns or suggestions, we’re here and we love talking to people, and hearing what matters to them.

TJ: Thank you so much Kim, it’s been great talking to you.

Kim: No problem.

Watching the Web – Osiris: Series World Premier

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Posted by Jessa Phillips aka "SultryMinxZoe" | Posted on 27-09-2011

Category : Entertain Me, Watching the Web

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The web series Osiris has appeared before on my list of upcoming series to watch for. The wait is almost over! Osiris will finally make its web debut Wednesday, 09/28/2011 and you are invited to the premier!

 

 

The Osiris series is titled after its main character, a detective who cannot stay dead. No matter the circumstances, if Osiris (Brad James) is killed, he is revived in exactly 37 minutes. When the series opens, Osiris has 24 hours to locate a witness in a federal murder case who has been kidnapped. During the course of his investigation, Osiris discovers a bigger conspiracy and his hunt leads him to hints about the origins of his ability.

 

From the mind of writer and director, Donnie Leapheart of Pyramid Pictures, Osiris is a conspiracy theory wrapped in a crime drama with a dash of the supernatural. It is an ambitious series that looks to draw audiences in with its story. Filmed on location in Atlanta, GA, each episode is 5 to 8 minutes in length leads up to one heck of a cliffhanger in the 10th episode finale.

 

Join me as I tune in for the premier Wednesday, 09/28/2011 at 8pm ET! There are a number of ways you can watch:

Visit the Official website. ”Like” Osiris on Facebook. Subscribe to the YouTube Channel or Subscribe on iTunes.

 

While you wait for the premier, wet your appetite with the official series trailer below.

 

Web Series You SHOULD Be Watching – DragonCon 2011 Panel

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Posted by Jessa Phillips aka "SultryMinxZoe" | Posted on 07-09-2011

Category : Conventions, DragonCon, E-vents, Entertain Me, Watching the Web

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

 

DragonCon was this past weekend in Atlanta, GA. Among the many interesting panels on diverse topics included a panel title “Web Series You SHOULD Be Watching.” The panel, which I was pleased to appear on as a panelist, focused on web series. This new media distribution channel is steadily becoming a more accepted entertainment option and looks to give traditional media outlets something to think about, as well as provide an alternative means for creative projects to find an audience. Also appearing on the panel were Kelley Clark (Agora Productions), Kelley Harkins (Director, American SciFi Media Track), Joe Crowe (Revolutionsf.com), Thomas Gofton (Creator, Mind’s Eye web series) and Derek Conley (The Hunted: Tampa and The Hunted: Vindication web series).

 

The panel was intended to introduce prospective audience members to the world of web entertainment and offer a sampling of web series worth watching to new and veteran viewers. With two web creators and the remainder of the panel including veteran web consumers, the panel provided a more in-depth discussion of the trials and triumphs of entertainment content created for web distribution. Of course for all the geeky goodness, you really had to be there. But do not fret, I will not leave you wanting.

 

If you want the listing of web series selections panel attendees received, you will find below the sampling of web series to get you started. The panel was sponsored by the American SciFi Media track. As such, the web series selections primarily fall within the sci-fi or fantasy genres. Entertainment is subjective and you may not enjoy all the series listed here, but please do not let one series prevent you from seeking other web entertainment. There is a plethora of web entertainment on the internet that will appeal to you. You have only to find it. To assist in your discovery, I have also included resource links at the end of the listing. These resource links are hubs for web entertainment and have created directories of web series and films for you to enjoy. If you discovery a series that you enjoy, please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

The Usual Suspects - Popular series most people have likely heard of. These series are often pointed to as examples of how web distributed content can be a successful business model.

 

Doctor Horrible Sing-Along Blog – Completed, 3 episodes.
http://www.drhorrible.com | Now available on DVD & BluRay, or download on iTunes.
Summary: Following a want to be evil genius as he attempts to earn his place in the Evil League of Evil and impress the girl of his dreams. His every attempt is thwarted by his nemesis, Captain Hammer. Created, written and directed by Joss Whedon. Maurissa Tancharoen, Jed Whedon and Zack Whedon also contributed their writing talents, making it a family affair. Starring Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day.

 

The Guild – Currently airing Season 5
Fantasy, Comedy
http://www.watchtheguild.com/
Summary: Created and starring Felicia Day. The Guild follows the adventures of 6 people who form a “guild” in an online MMORPG game. Over the course of the series, the members meet and become entangled in each others social and love lives, all while getting some raid time in. In the fifth season, the guild heads to a gaming convention where they learn more about themselves, each other and the game.

 

The Legend of Neil – Completed, 3 Seasons
Fantasy, Action
http://www.legendofneil.com
Summary: Created and directed by Sandeep Parikh, who is also known as “Zaboo” on The Guild. The Legend of Neil tells the story of a drunk gamer wakes to find himself in the video game Zelda. The series takes fantasy roleplaying to another level, incorporating all the troupes of the classic video game, everyday drama and a contemporary sense of humor. Cast includes scifi favorite Felicia Day. Mature Content Warning: Language, Sexual Situations

 

Mortal Kombat: Legacy – Completed
Scifi, , Action, Drama
http://www.youtube.com/show/mortalkombatlegacy
Summary: A fan-inspired web series that received corporate funding due to the quality of work. Mortal Kombat: Legacy is a live-action adaptation of the classic video game. Starring scifi fan favorites Tahmoh Penikett and Jeri Ryan.

 

Aidan 5 – Season 1.5 begins September 2nd, 2011
SciFi, Mystery
http://www.aidan5.com
Summary: In a future when cloning is everyday practice with up to 5 clones per person, a serial killer is murdering clones. Two detectives head the manhunt for the mysterious culprit and come face to face with their own mortality. Film Noire style series that incorporates a dynamic comic feel.

 

Cable Network Sponsored Series - Cable networks have caught on to the marketing and advertising options web series can create, especially as a means of extending an established brand. These series are shows created or sponsored by major cable networks.

 

Torchwood: Web of Lies – Currently airing
SciFi, Mystery
http://www.youtube.com/starz | Download the App for iPad & iPhone in iTunes
Summary: Sponsored by BBC Worldwide and Starz. The web series is a companion to the current season of Torchwood: Miracle Day. In 2007, someone is after Captain Jack Harkness. It is up to Jack & Gwen Cooper to find out who and why. Simultaneously, the story follows Holly, whose brother is shot on Miracle Day for information he has about the people behind the miracle. Interactive motion comic produced by Russell T. Davies & Julie Gardner. Jane Espenson contributes her writing talents. Staring John Barrowman, Eve Myles and Eliza Dushku.

 

Warehouse 13: Of Monsters and Men – Completed, 10 Episodes
Scifi, Action, Mystery
http://www.syfy.com/rewind/ofmonstersandmen
Sponsored by Syfy.
Summary: When Claudia and Pete accidentally trigger an artifact obtained from a man who found comics detrimental to the youth of America, they find themselves and Artie living out the adventures of a comic book. Can they solve the comic’s mysteries? Can they find a way out of the story before it ends, or will they be stuck in 4-color?

 

Mercury Men – Completed Season 1. Awaiting news on Season 2
SciFi, Action, Mystery
http://www.syfy.com/rewind/mercurymen
Sponsored by Syfy.
Summary: In 1976, men from Mercury come to earth with a sinister plan to drag the moon down to earth. It is up to Engineer Jack Yeager and an everyday citizen, Edward Borman, to save the world and find out who’s calling the shots. Great tribute to classic black and white scifi movies.

 

Riese: Kingdom Falling – Completed Season 1. Awaiting news of Season 2 & possible transition to tv.
Fantasy, Drama
http://www.syfy.com/rewind/riese
Sponsored by Syfy.
Summary: In a realm much like the feudal society of Europe’s medieval times, the land is in turmoil. An evil queen has a stranglehold on the realm and will go to any lengths to retain power. Across the land, an orphaned woman wanders with her wolf companion to find out who she is. Steampunk sensibilities interwoven into character development and costume design. Cast includes many Syfy fan favorites.

 

Rigamortis – Completed, 3 episodes
Scifi, Zombies
http://www.rigamortis.com
Summary: After the zombie apocalypse, two zombies fall in love while they struggle to resist their brain-eating ways. Meanwhile, the premier zombie hunter shows us no matter his fame, life isn’t always awesome. Fantastically fun musical take on the zombie apocalypse.

 

Blood Light – Completed, 2 Seasons
Scifi, Vampires
http://www.bloodlight.com
Summary: Blood Light sheds light on the everyday life of vampires. It is a bit of a parody of the hit HBO series True Blood. The series follows the after-lives of 2 vampires and their wannabe friend living normal lives. Topics covered range from therapy, anger management, dating and identity crisis. Mature content warning: Language, Sexual Situations.

 

The Black Dawn
Scifi, Mystery
http://http://www.webserials.com/blackdawn/
Summary: A plague sweeps the globe, killing most of the world’s population within seconds of exposure. A small band of survivors in Los Angeles struggle to find answers, other survivors and to stay alive.

 

Lumina – Completed Season 1. Awaiting news of Season 2
Scifi, Mystery
http://www.luminaseries.com
Summary: What if alternate dimensions existed on the other side of reflections? The series explores that question. As the series begin, a woman meets and falls for a prince from the opposites side of reflections. As they become more involved and more people become aware of the relationship, we discover nothing is what it appears to be. There is a bigger conspiracy being played out in both realms. Beautifully shot with great use of soundtrack.

 

Gemini Division – Completed Season 1, 50 Episodes
Scifi, Mystery
http://www.bing.com/videos/browse/source?tag=mccannum%3ageminidivision
Summary: A happy couple visits Paris. When the guy goes missing, his girlfriend must find out what happened to him and stumbles onto a government conspiracy. Live action with CGI landscapes. Cast includes Syfy favorite, Allison Scagliotti.

 

Afterworld – Completed, 130 Episodes
Scifi, Mystery
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=07E03F5180A9F18A
Summary: A massive electromagnetic event occurs, causing permanent electronic outages across the globe, along with the disappearance of most the world’s population. One man is determined to find his way back to the family he left across the country. During his journey, he will meet other survivors – some friendly and helpful, others with more sinister intentions. As he travels, he will find clues that lead him to learn who caused “the fall” and why.

 

Misfits – Currently airing Season 2
Scifi, Drama
http://www.hulu.com/presents/misfits
Summary: Five British teenagers are sentenced to community service. When they are struck by lightening during a spontaneous storm, they develop super-powers. As they come to grips with their new abilities, they realize they weren’t the only ones affected by the storm. Can they learn how to use their abilities? Will they use their powers for good?

 

The Booth at the End – Currently airing Season 1
Scifi, Drama
http://www.hulu.com/presents/boothattheend
Summary: What would you do to heal a sick loved one, get the girl of your dreams, or the life you always wanted? In The Booth at the End we meet a mysterious man who can help you get what you’ve always wanted. All you have to do is complete a task. What if the task puts you or someone else in danger? What if it is illegal?

 

Border Guardians of Ackernon – Currently airing Season 2
Fantasy, Drama
http://www.ackernon.com
Summary: In a fantasy realm, graduates of “The University” become politicians, warriors and powerful mages entrusted with the safety and security of the realm. In recent years, their power has been weakening and a danger from another land threatens the enchanted walls. The series follows the Guardians as they recruit and train new students to ward off the dangers facing the realm.

 

Trenches – Completed, 10 Episodes
Scifi, Action, Drama
http://www.crackle/c/trenches
Summary: Two civilizations embroiled in a space battle find themselves forced to work together to survive the planet. Cooperation is a priority because they are not alone.

 

Anica – Completed Season 1. Season 2 in pre-production & talk of a movie
Scifi, Drama
http://www.wix.com/kenyonglover/test
In the future, government soldiers are selected for experimentation in hopes of creating an elite force. When one of the super soldiers is accused of murdering a high official, a disgraced soldier is tapped to track the missing soldier before the political climate worsens and endangers galactic peace. Fantastic CGI landscapes.

 

Future Series to Watch For - These series are currently in the works. Given what we have seen, these series are worth checking out when they are released.

 

Osiris – Premiers September 28, 2011
Scifi, Mystery
http://www.facebook.com/OsirisTheSeries
Summary: A man with resurrection abilities must track down a kidnapped federal witness. As he embarks on his search, he discovers a conspiracy, and finds clues about the source of his ability.

 

H+ - Season 1 in production
Scifi, Drama
http://www.facebook.com/HplusTheDigitalSeries
Summary: In the future, people take internet connectivity to the next level with a chip implant. Making the internet more accessible changes the socioeconomic landscapes across the globe. What happens when something goes wrong? Will the desire to be connected be our downfall?

 

Zenoids – Season 1 in production
Animated Musical
http://www.myouterspace.com/index.php/community/Starships/Orion.html
Summary: Created and starring William Shatner. Executive produced and starring Amanda Tapping. The story follows an alien family singing across the galaxy.

 

Resource Links - Websites which provide directories of web series and films available for viewing.

 

Crackle – http://www.crackle.com

Webserials – http://www.webserials.com

Web Series Channel – http://www.webserieschannel.com

Scifinal – http://www.scifinal.com

Hulu – http://www.hulu.com/network/hulu-presents

IFC – http://www.ifc.com/web-series

Fear – http://www.fearnet.com/shows

 

Remember to check back here at Goodtobeageek.com for our regular series, Watching the Web, where I highlight web series worth watching.

 

 

Watching the Web – Last Man(s) On Earth

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Posted by Jessa Phillips aka "SultryMinxZoe" | Posted on 20-07-2011

Category : Entertain Me, Watching the Web

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

 

Chances are you have seen a disaster movie or two. You know, the movies where a super volcano, twister or nuclear standoff brings about the end of the world. In these movies, some “everyday Joe” manages to survive. Well, if the Mayan calendar theories are to be believed, the end of the world is around the corner and you do not want to be the “last man standing.”

Kaduche (Charan Prabhakar) and Wynn (Brady Bluhm) are two friends who have seen every disaster movie, at least twice. They are going alpha male and sharing all they have learned with anyone who will watch. In their web series, The Last Man(s) On Earth, they relay practical tips for surviving in a “post-world world.” Topics covered range from hunting and surviving a gunshot wound, to the ever useful skill of decapitating Zombies. Yes, I said Zombies. Who knows what the end of the world will look like?

What makes The Last Man(s) On Earth a worthy watch is the humor. Sure, they are providing survival tactics that are actually useful, but they do not take it too seriously. With canned explosions and a natural sense of comedic timing, The Last Man(s) On Earth is a joy to watch. Joe England and Aaron Hultgren have done a stellar job writing a series which blends informative tips with an easy playful quality. Charan Prabhakar and Brady Bluhm play perfectly off of one another and you get the feeling you are watching two friends just hanging out with all the jokes and cheap shots that accompany longtime friendship. If I must compare The Last Man(s) On Earth, the best comparison I can make is that this series is like Man vs. Wild if it were produced by Comedy Central.

Season 1 of The Last Man(s) On Earth consists of 9 episodes, approximately 3 minutes each with a few shorter episodes thrown in for good measure. Get started with Episode 1 of Season 1 below.

 

 

Currently, the cast and crew is working hard on The Last Man(s) On Earth movie, so be sure to keep check back with them often. There are plenty of ways to keep tabs on this web series: Watch the series and subscribe on YouTube, visit the Official website, Read the Blog, Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter (@lastmansonearth).

New Game in Town – Redbox Offers Video Game Rentals

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Posted by Jessa Phillips aka "SultryMinxZoe" | Posted on 20-06-2011

Category : Bytes, Game On, News, Nintendo, PS3, Xbox

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You recognize the big red box outside your local grocery and drug stores or the McDonald’s in town. While you are running errands, you can arrange a quick, convenient night in for $1-$2, by stopping at a self-service dvd rental kiosk. Redbox Automated Retail, LLC, a subsidiary of Coinstar, Inc. has quickly become a powerhouse in the movie rental marketplace since their launch in 2002. Last year, Redbox celebrated 1 billion movie rentals with more than 27,000 redbox locations. Now, Redbox is looking to take a bite out of the video game retail space by offering game rentals at many of their locations.

Video game rentals have been available at a select 5,000 Redbox locations as part of a pilot program. Despite the limited availability, video games exceeded one million rentals in less than two years. As of June 17, 2011, Redbox began offering the game rental option to a wider audience, expanding the rentals to 21,000 more Redbox locations. Redbox kiosks offer a variety of game titles, including new releases and family kids titles, across all console platforms.

Courtesy of Redbox Automated Retail, LLC

 Whether you play on Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii or Sony Playstation 3, the newest game release can quickly be rented online, via mobile app or on-site at a convenient Redbox location. Game titles will be available to rent for $2 per night with no required return date. As long as you keep the game, Redbox will continue to charge the daily rental fee plus tax. If the game is retained for more than 25 days, renters will be charged a one-time $50 fee and will own the game – no return needed.

Redbox has a few advantages over the competition:

The foremost advantage is convenience. One could argue that GameFly, the video game rental delivery service, also offers convenience. This is true. However, the idea consumers can act on on a spontaneous decision to play a game definitely works to Redbox’s advantage. Add accessibility via internet and app access and it does not get any easier.

Product placement is key. In this regard, Redbox is exceedingly intelligent. Placing kiosks in everyday locations such as McDonald’s locations and grocery stores is a huge positive, keeping the brand directly in front of consumers and presenting a quick, easy experience.

The option to try before you buy is also a big plus for Redbox. With popular new titles costing $39.99 to $59.99 or more, the ability to play the game before opening your wallet could itself bolster the appeal of Redbox game rentals.

Cash is king. Most new releases for Microsoft Xbox 360 or Sony Playstation 3 are priced at $59.99. Even with the one-time $50 charge (plus taxes) to keep the video game after 25 days of rental, you could save money.

Physical product. There is still something to be said for having the disc in your possession. Think of it as your gaming security blanket, or insurance against hard drive failure or a massive data breach. Sometimes it just feels good to know you have a disc.

Visit Redbox.com to find a game or your local Redbox location. You can also rent your movie or game on the website and mobile phone users can download the Redbox app for iPhone or Android.

Read the April 28, 2011 announcement from Redbox.

Watching the Web – Overturn Web Series: An International SciFi Mystery Series

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Posted by Jessa Phillips aka "SultryMinxZoe" | Posted on 09-05-2011

Category : Entertain Me, Watching the Web

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

I am always excited to see web series pushing boundaries and trying something new. John Deryl set out to create something truly different in the web series Overturn. He has created the first international sci-fi mystery series distributed solely via the world wide web. When he says international, he is not kidding. With cast and crew hailing from a number of different countries, including the Ukraine, Australia, Russia and Nigeria, to name a few.

Filmed in Kiev, Ukraine, the story centers around Christopher Gabriel, a young American man who has long suffered from terrifying nightmares. When his nightmares take on a life of their own and he is kidnapped by a group of mysterious people who seem to know more about him than he knows of himself, things really get interesting. The audience follows along with Christopher eager to find out what it all means. Is it a dream within a dream? Who are these strange people and how do they know about him? Who is Christopher? Does he have a purpose to serve?

Catch a glimpse and get a feeling of the series’ tone by viewing the trailer below.

Having seem the first few episodes, it is no surprise Deryl used dreams as a plot point, as he dreams BIG. Though Overturn is a web series consisting of rather short episodes, he has done a fantastic job of creating an intriguing series that draws the audience in. From set locations to lighting to score, all of the pieces work together to capture the ominous threatening tone that keeps the audience engrossed. Don’t just take my word, go check out the series for yourself.

The first five episodes are available for viewing at the Overturn website and average approximately three (3) minutes each. While you are on the site, you can register to become a priveledged fan to get future access to additional content, as well as access to the community forums and chat. Don’t forget to stop by the Facebook Fan Page and let all your friends know about this innovative new series.

Watching the Web: Awkward Embraces

Posted by Jessa Phillips aka "SultryMinxZoe" | Posted on 25-02-2011

Category : Entertain Me, Watching the Web

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Meeting people is not easy for everyone and dating can be awkward for anyone – a series of high anxiety situations that take us out of our comfort zone. Add the uneasiness that sometimes accompanies the geek set and things have the potential to go horribly wrong. Awkward Embraces is a web series, taking the internet by storm, that gives audiences an inside look into just how awkward dating can be . . . with a geek twist.

The series follows Jessica (Mills), “a geek boy’s dream girl,” as she navigates the dating world. Accompanying her on her misadventures are her best friends, the sensible Candis (Phlegm) and matter of fact Lyndsey (Doolen), both with their own share of dating drama, including blind dates and bulges.

Brought to life from the immaginative mind of Jessica Mills, Awkward Embraces is clever and features situations that ring a bit true to life, making it a true joy to watch. The friendship between the actors is evident and makes the acting effortless. The characters incorporate their own brand of quirkiness into the antics and are incredibly relatable if you’ve ever dated a nerd, or been the nerd dating the “norm.” The series is laugh out loud funny and will leave you wanting more.

Season one consists of 11 entertaining episodes concluding with a twist that took the audience by surprise. February 18th saw the premiere of Season 2, with Jessica in a bad way while Candis and Lyndsey attempt to boost her spirits and find her a man.

Awkward Embraces is easy to find on the web. Use one of the distribution channels below to catch up on past episodes and follow along with Season 2. You can also subscribe to the series in iTunes.

Awkward Embraces Website – http://www.awkwardembraces.com

Blip TV – http://awkwardembraces.blip.tv

YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4nvV8Da2Jo&feature=relmfu

The Awkward Embraces Team is still in production for Season 2 and they need our help to continue. If you can, contribute to their IndiGoGo effort to raise funds which will enable them to create more fantastic episodes. Even if you cannot contribute financially, be sure to tell your friends, Like Awkward Embraces on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter. Spread the word!

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